The best Valentine gifts for her

February 3, 2:18 AMHome and Living ExaminerAndrea Campbell

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The origins of Valentine’s Day are sketchy but it could be named for an early Christian martyr. A priest named Valentine defied an order by Emperor Claudius II that outlawed marriage for young men (because he wanted good soldiers), but Valentine performed secret marriage ceremonies—and he was condemned to death. While in jail he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and left a final note for her saying: it was from "her Valentine."

And too, there was an ancient Roman feast day on February 15—the festival of Lupercalia in honor of Lupercus, the god of fertility. This coincides with a medieval folk tradition that maintained that the springtime "mating of birds" took place on St. Valentine’s Day.

No matter the history or stories about the beginnings, Valentines has become a 14 billion dollar business and we are not wont to stop it. So with a light heart and helpful hand, I have scanned the merchandizing horizon and come up with a list of gifts that I believe any woman would want. Now I want to mention something important: I have either done frequent business with the company, have the product, or have seen the quality of the product and I do not make these recommendations willy-nilly.

• The English Breakfast Tea Gift Basket is a great gift for the tea lovers. The basket includes a large Amsterdam teapot with loose-leaf and bagged English Breakfast Tea, a tea caddy and more. It comes with a mesh ball infuser and a strainer. I love the Englishteadstore and don’t forget the Devon crème for your scones. Gift basket is $29.25 plus ship

• Nimli Natural, Organic & Green Lifestyle: Try the Azuri Cashmere Pashmina Shawl in 110 colors. This finely woven shawl will keep you looking incredibly polished and the natural qualities of Pashmina & Silk provide warmth, softness and durability. The light-weight shawl can be used all year and for any occasion. A timeless, must-have piece. 70% Pashmina 30% Silk. 80" length x 28" width. Fringed ends. Imported. Dry Clean. Item # 136. Was $150 Now $34
Also: silk charmeuse http://www.nimli.com/detail_380__594.html

• The Diptyque Bath Collection is offered in three scents but Philosykos is my choice; it’s quite haunting and nice. There is a perfumed Shower Gel that leaves the skin soft and lightly scented (Suggested Retail Price: $48) and the Body Lotion should follow ($56). There is also a cream for $72. Pricey, but I’m told this product is used by jLo, Beyonce, Victoria Beckham and Sarah Jessica Parker. (They also have a new Pink Roses candle but I haven’t tried it.)

• I love, love Winecountrygiftbaskets. For VD, try the new From the Heart Gift Basket. It’s a large red basket filled with Italian hazelnut chocolate, Ghirardelli milk chocolate with caramel, peanut brittle, assorted Lindt Lindor truffles, almond roca, chocolate graham crackers, white chocolate macadamia cookies, two fresh Valentine heart cookies, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory dark chocolate Bavarian pretzel and more. A soft, plush Valentine bear hangs out on the side.
Gift Size 17" x 7" x 10" Item # 579 Price: $39.95 Shipping: $ 9.95

• Who doesn’t eat M & M’s®? But did you know they can personalize them? Check out the M & M’s® "Language of Love" Blend with pre-printed Valentine’s Day endearments on red, pink and white M&M'S®; and you can get it in a Signature Gift Box. Or, your choice of colors, words or even your favorite faces!

• Stan Herman Leopard Print Fleece 2-pc. Pajama Set # A0399 A pajama set is a soft and cozy choice for bedtime or downtime. The button-front top is done in a leopard print for wild style. Sizes S through 3X. 100% polyester. Machine wash, tumble dry. Retail Value $50.00 QVC Price: $41.50 (There is also a cotton set.)

• If HSN is your preference, they have the Cinema Etoile Celestial 3-piece Pajama Set Item: 350-107. I don't have this but it's A Customer Pick “Flirty, Kitschy prints” HSN Price: $22.00 Shipping & Handling: $5.20.

• I don’t have this item either but I want it: Floxite 9x/1x Magnification Gooseneck Travel Mirror QVC A82346 QVC Price: $18.23 Shipping & Handling: $5.22  A flexible travel mirror that adjusts to virtually any angle with both 9X and 1X magnification mirrors attached. Made in China. (Maybe someone will tell the hubby.)

• Breast Cancer Awareness Seed Bead & Crystal Bracelet. A dainty breast cancer bracelet handcrafted with delicate pink seed beads and clear crystals. A sterling silver breast cancer awareness ribbon dangles from its sterling toggle clasp (also available with lobster clasp.) Price: $24.95
Item Code: Braclt/sb/crys. The Rep at the Pink Ribbon shop assures me that a percentage of sales goes to the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans.

I bought a different style bracelet for my daughter-in-law once and it’s lovely. They have other styles, I particularly like the: Pink Ribbon Bracelet with Pink Foil Beads Price: $16.95 Item Code: Braclt/tgb/foil and they say their Pink Ribbon Add-a-Bead bracelet is a bestseller. Price: $24.95 Item Code: Braclt/tgb/add

• For fabulous scents without the flames, PartyLite Tri-Glow Reed Diffusers layer three brightly colored fragrance liquids in a round glass bottle. Each includes two bundles of 12 natural reeds, wooden collar and decorative metal charm. I have the Island Nectar and it’s wonderful. Other fragrances available like Seaside Mist, Coconut Milk Chocolate, Tangelo Mojito and more. Price $39.95.

• Also, try PartyLite’s Simply Lavender, a Lavender Eye pillow for tired eyes ($19.95), or the Lavender Neck Pillow, ($34.95) made from lavender grown in France (it was chock full by the way) and can be warmed or chilled for a soothing effect. Or there is a pillow set for $49.95 for the pillow set. Readers can call 1-888-999-5706 or visit www.partylite.com.

• The pièce de rèsistance. As one customer called it, ‘this is Mom’s throne.’ If you want lots of love and smiles, a chair by Soft Surroundings is all she will need. For napping or curling up with a good book, whether you chose the cuddly Chair & A Half (#62260, pictured at the right), the $1798.00 Repose chair #62258 or the Canoodling version, no matter. Just order it upholstered and with decadent down seat cushion (for an extra charge) and she will love you forever. Each one is made to order by hand.

• Three other cute ideas, but I cannot personally recommend as I did not hear back from Ballard Designs about their four Sweet Dream Serving Bowls, BD341 $40.00; or David’s Cookies with pink ruffled Handbag Cookie Jar at HSN, Item: 369-763. Other gift ideas I like: Dennis Basso faux furs, GPS so she won't get lost, and hugs, lots of hugs.


Birds do it, bees do it,
Even educated fleas do it,
Let's fall in love.
   —Cole Porter (from the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations)