Gifts inspired by Lent (or Mardi Gras): Lust

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Through Mardi Gras on March 8, we’re giving you gift ideas, inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins, that you’ll be regretting come Lent.

What would a piece on lust be without a mention of Hef? You can still get your hands on a copy of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy, a six-volume, limited-edition set (packaged in a Plexiglas case, $1,300 at Taschen.com) that includes a facsimile edition of the very first Playboy in 1953 with its Marilyn Monroe cover and centerfold -- arguably the sexiest one ever. Each numbered set is personally signed by Hef and comes with a 7-by-7-centimeter swatch of his certifiably worn signature silk pajamas.

And for those who are too shy to make the first move, how about a little pillow talk? Alexandra Ferguson fun felt pillows, made of recycled water bottles, establish house rules with slogans such as “Let’s Make Out” and “One Track Mind” (16 by 16 inches square with insert, from $89 at Etsy.com). The appliqués are cut by hand, so no two are alike –- a truly one-of-a-kind present.

With all the ho-hum of daily life, who doesn’t need a spritz of aphrodisiacs to heighten the mood? The boldly carnal Lust fragrance by Gorilla Perfume at Lush is laden with love notes — seductive jasmine hand-blended with ylang ylang, rose, vanilla and earthy sandalwood ($33 for 30 milliliter spray, $14 for 9 milliliter spray and $13 for solid perfume stick at Lushusa).

Now that will give you something to take to confession.

-- Ingrid Schmidt

Saturday: Greed