DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM Sitting on a red negligee are pink silk rose petals, a set of Kama Sutra edible potions in five flavors, a 14-karat gold-dipped rose and in the bottle at right is chocolate meant to be painted on for romantic fun and games. All are from Sensually Yours. The single perfect long-stem rose is from Floral Happiness at Restaurant Row, at $3.75.

Tokens of love

Hey, guys, time is running out
to get that special someone
a Valentine's gift

---

By Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.com

Finding the perfect gift for Valentine's Day is no easy task, and time is running out. But there's no greater motivator than fear, particularly for men. No one wants to get it wrong on this day, which could spell the difference between in couples nirvana or suddenly single hell.

The bottom line: You need to bring home something special. We've tried to make the holiday less stressful for men -- assuming women never run out of romantic notions -- by offering the following gift ideas:

DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM Lingerie always makes a naughty-and-nice gift, left; give men equal time with silk boxers such as the one above from Sensually Yours ($24).

Go with tradition

>> Lingerie may be cliché, but many women still appreciate the sensual gift of silk and lace. Morgan Beret Fine Lingerie at Kahala Mall offers a large selection of negligees, chemises and bra and panty sets. A "Lipstick"-colored silk chemise with a lace bodice from Christine Designs costs $164. A sheer silk chiffon camisole with detailed satin ribbon by Mary Green ($43) can be worn with a matching thong with side ribbon ties ($20).

Sensually Yours also has an abundance of choices that range from romantic to risqué. Those on a strict budget can even find negligees covered with hearts at Wal-Mart for a mere $12.92.

>> Morgan Beret also has sachets in which scented beads cleverly fill a miniature bra form. They cost $12 and come in assorted colors.

>> Flowers are the most traditional way to say "I love you." During the Valentine's Day holiday, a dozen long-stem roses costs about $85 at local floral shops.

If you are looking for a keepsake, Sensually Yours sells roses that are meant to last a lifetime. A real rose, preserved and dipped in 24-karat gold, costs $54.95.

Or, if you are looking for something more affordable, spring bouquet baskets or vases that include roses, tulips and other spring flowers are more reasonable, ranging in price from about $30 to $55 at florists.

Flowers are even less expensive at grocery stores. At Safeway a bouquet of tulips runs $4.99, a bouquet of spring flowers is $12.99 and a dozen roses are selling for $22.99.

DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM Sachets in the shape of bras available at Morgan Beret Fine Lingerie provide an extra surprise when tucked in with other gifts. Suggestive dice can break the ice for a night of romantic games.

True decadence

>> Honolulu Chocolate has reintroduced chocolate-dipped strawberries. The dark-chocolate delicacies are available in one-quarter, one-half and 1-pound boxes, running $28 per pound. Orders are being taken and the strawberries will be available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Iced and decorated sugar cookies and milk chocolate heart-shaped lollipops covered in foils of red and pink are $6.95. Decorated truffle boxes range in cost from $10 to $56.

>> For men of means, love may be measured in bling, and you can't do much better than a gift of one of Chanel's exquisite Camelia watches. They come in 18K white gold with mother-of-pearl face or a face of 68 pavé-set diamonds, plus six "petals" set with diamonds or a combination of diamonds and sapphires. These range from $9,200 to $16,300.

>> And you may want to be careful about presenting her with a gift of Bulgari's optical pendants. These kinetic pieces -- one in white gold with onyx and the other in yellow gold with mother of pearl -- spin to cast a hypnotic spell on those who gaze upon it, as if you can fall any deeper. These run $1,450 and $1,400 respectively.

CHANEL A diamond-and-sapphire studded Camelia watch with mother-of-pearl face is perfect for the woman for whom bling is the thing.

Playful and passionate

>> Instead of choosing conventional gifts, a basket of exotic massage oils and goodies may help to create a romantic and passionate evening. Sensually Yours offers packages and baskets ranging in cost from $3.99 to $69.95.

>> For those who don't want to do the frilly work, Neiman Marcus staffers can serve as your personal shopper. Choose items from the store, and they'll package them nicely in a gift basket. If you don't want to do the legwork at all, you may just want to come up with a general list of items -- whether lingerie and chocolates or perfume -- and a price range, and the personal shoppers can go to work whipping up something special. Cheese and wine baskets and champagne and flute baskets are popular choices, according to NM's Amy Tomita.

>> At the very girly shop Sephora, one of the more popular items is Urban Decay's edible body powders in the flavors of gimlet, caramel, cherry lemonade and cocoa, running $25. For $30 one can buy a trio of cinnamon, sugar cookie and honey powders. Sensually Yours also has edible chocolate body paint in a heart-shaped bottle for $9.95, including a paintbrush for application.

>> You can also have good, clean fun by transforming your regular tub into a makeshift Jacuzzi. Conair offers a portable whirlpool jet that hangs over the side of the tub, available for $38.49 at Kmart.

DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM Sensually Yours offers gift packages and baskets of "toys," massage oils and more.

Naughty and nice

>> Make Valentine's Day memorable with a few naughty suggestions. Kama Sutra oil kits for a sensual massage comes in five flavors -- original, chocolate mint, cherry almond, raspberry kiss and vanilla crème -- running $39.95 at Sensually Yours.

>> Borders Books Stores are an unlikely place for romantic gifts, but they're offering Desire kits that include a candle, oil and miniature book and game for $6.95.

"Sexy Coupons" or "Naughty or Nice Coupons" books are also available at local bookstores for $5.95. The variety of coupons promise anything from a night out on the town to a night of passion, and can be redeemed on demand.

>> As for games people play, Sensually Yours offers several down-and-dirty board games, such as a Steamy Scenes Adult Board Game that gives players the chance to act out a variety of sensual scenarios from popular films, adding up to a raunchier version of charades. The game costs $19.95. A Kama Sutra Board game, $34.95, lets couples participate in an array of pleasurable activities.

Whatever you do, don't wait until the last minute, lest you really feel the sting of Cupid's arrow.

BVLGARI Optial pendants from Bvlgari are playful and elegant.

Whole Lotta Love Celebrate Valentine's week with us: Yesterday: Singles share coping techniques. Tomorrow: Foods that say "I love you." Thursday: How do you measure up on our love scale?" Plus, the winners of our "Magic Moments" Valentine contest. Friday: Turn your home into a love nest.

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