Say what? I didn’t know you could even get a box of chocolates and roses with thorns for that price let alone a Valentine’s Day Gift that he or she would be proud to receive. But yes, we’ve hunted haystacks, browsed through department stores and come up with a short lists of gifts you can be proud of — even for el cheapo coin.

Here’s what we found.

FOR HER

Love Your Skin Valentine’s Day Gift Set from Liz Earle (okay, we lied, it’s $26.50)

You all know how obsessed I am with Liz Earle (her Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is my winter staple!). This terrific Valentine’s Day steal contains 1oz Orange Flower Body Wash, Nourishing Botanical Body Cream, Brightening Treatment with a muslin cloth, Eyebright, and Body Exfoliating Gloves. NOT. TO. BE. MISSED. It’s that simple and yours for a steal only until February 14th.

CHIC TRAIN CASE FOR THE TWEEN VALENTINE

Modella Morning Glory Train Case ($9.97)

If you’ve wanted to get something for that adorable tween, then get her a chic Modella train case in the Morning Glory Pattern (check your local Walmart for availability) and watch her adorable face glow with true love.

LUSH BATH BOMBS FOR THE GAL WHO LOVES HER “PILLOW TALK” ($4.95 EACH)

Get her a love-and-suds-filled bath soap basked with goodies like the Limited Edition Love Soap (a glittery, red soap that’s brimming with aphrodisiacs), Magic Mushroom Bubble Bar (strawberries and vanilla cream bubbles), or the Ex Factor Bath Bomb (blue gingerman with the pink heart – perfect for you to unleash all your angry frustrations on).

Plus this company ALWAYS does most delicious, lip-smacking gift sets that are perfectly priced, so check them out before they’re scooped up and sold out.

FOR THE PUCKERER

Sephora Give me Some Lip Set ($25)

A great value for a SWAK of a deal. This Give me Some Lip Valentine’s Day Set is really a $65 deal masquerading as a $25 gift set. It’s a deluxe lip sampler filled to the brim with the store’s most popular lip shades, including a full-size Korres lipstick. The set includes Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pout, Tarte Double Ended Lip Gloss in Danny/Sandy, Benefit Posietint in Poppy Pink, Laura Mercier Lip Gloss in Rose, Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in April, Urban Decay Pocket Rocket in Doug, and Korres Mango Butter Lipstick in Pink 14.

Sephora Colorbox ($24 for $120 value)

A palette with colors for all seasons, all lovers, all tiffs and tumbles (even products to cover up those tears and frowns). This palette is a gift that every lass will love.

MAC’s Malibu Peach Nail Lacquer ($12)

Win major brownie points by giving your girl a delicious SoCal inspired nail lacquer.

It’s really not that cool to smell. Iffy, we mean. It’s not cool to smell like you’re a person that’s not dateworthy, or that you just came back from a visit to the zoo. Especially for Valentine’s Day. Please, don’t do it.

The science of smell is so linked to memory, and that’s one of the reasons why so many researchers labor away to discover the new magical molecule that will make you smell like a McSteamy or Mrs. McDreamy. If you want to impress your significant other, your beau or even the girl next door that smiles as beautifully as Julia Roberts, then we’ve got the ultimate fragrance gift guide for you. Guaranteed to knock their socks off.

FOR THE SENSUOUS WOMAN (OR MAN)

Natori Perfumed Candle ($75)

This is a dream candle, for all you dreamers and lovers out there. Created by Caroline Sabas, Natori’s candle is completely feminine with florals and a hint of mystery: rose petals, and dark plum notes. You’ll notice the satin musk in this candle as it floats through the air — a perfect prelude for your Valentine’s Day evening!

There is a complementary Silk Body Cream that goes along with this and it is a study in deliciousness. It will leave the body immersed in mysterious Natori notes. Even the most stoic man or woman would say, “TAKE ME” after they applied this.

Fracas by Robert Piguet ($95)

Although the name means “brawl” in English, if there’s anything “brawl-worthy” about this fragrance, it would be if it’s stolen from your vanity. This fragrance brims with audacious, sexy notes of tuberose, jasmine, gardenia, lily of the valley, sandalwood and musk. Think essential Parisienne style: for a sensuous Coco Chanel you’re dating perhaps, or a Julia Ormond who has a sure sense of self worth.

FOR THE YOGA BUNNY

Sacred Glo Candles ($24.99)

For the woman who loves to do her downward facing dog (now get your mind out of the gutter!), the candles from Sacred Glo make a great, peaceful gift. They are all natural, and we recommend a very calming, mind-clearing candle called Sacred Clarity which is made of pure, natural soybean oils, shea butter and infused with lavender and rose oils.

Once the candle melts the oils, you can even dip your fingers into the pool of oils and anoint a little area of your temples or pulse points to really inhale the aroma. INHALE this scent, breathe and be at peace!

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Okay, we get it. You are really strapped for ideas. The recession’s BOGO, discounts and staggering deals have not won you over.

We understand. Seriously. Do you think you’ll fancy any of these gifts? We do. Write and let us know!

PetFlys for the Pampered Pooch

For the pampered pooch, consider giving him or her a plush carry one that is stylish; this Enter the Dragon variety is fierce with plush Dalmatian interior and embroidered tribal dragon. $130.

Vicktory Dog Coasters

For the ultimate dog lover, nothing says “Happy Holidays” than a nice bottle of wine and a Vicktory Dog coaster set ($10 each at the Dog Lovers Wine Club).

For the Hard to Please Sister or Mom: Ann Taylor Semi Precious Stone Statement Pendant Necklace

We love this structured, geometrically flavored necklace chock full of semi precious stones. It looks like it cost a king’s ransom but is only $78 at Ann Taylor.

Fiat Luxe Felted Soap from Anthropologie

In my mind these handmade, moisturizing felted soaps by Anthropologie are the ultimate stocking stuffers. I am utterly in love with the wool wrapping. The soaps bubble and froth endlessly and yes, they look good enough to gaze at for the rest of 2010. $14 each and in Amber, Mint, Lavender and Verbena.

There’s nothing like perfume that elicits a mood and warms up the spirit. Fragrance is sometimes intangible – you don’t realize you’ve entered a “perfume mood” until it’s there and envelopes you.  And these are some of the products we’re crazy about for the holiday season (and why we love them).

Burberry Brit Gift Set ($84)

We love the fruity and lightness of this perfume (we recommend it for the teenager). This set includes a 3.3.oz Eau de Toilette Spray, a Body Lotion and a Shower Gel.

Hanae Mori Butterfly Perfume Gift Set ($60)

We love this (ahem) Butterfly themed perfume gift set for several reasons. First, the fragrance, which is a blend of berries and flowers that doesn’t smell like a Magnolia Bakery cupcake. It has notes of strawberries and almond. The bottle is absolutely stunning, almost like Lalique, and naturally the top of the bottle represents the ethereal-looking butterfly wings. This set includes a 1 oz Eau de Toilette Spray, a Roll On  AND a scarf.

Sephora Favorites Collector’s Edition Fragrance Sampler for Her ($75)

If your recipient is undecided, has many moods or loves the entire gamut of perfume notes, then you’ll want to get her this. It includes seven samples from top-selling fragrances including Juicy Couture’s Eau de Parfum, Ralph Lauren Romance, Marc Jacobs Daisy, DKNY Be Delicious, Dior Addict, Givenchy Very Irresistible Givenchy, and Stella McCartney. It’s like giving her a chocolate sampler box.

Marc Jacobs’ Lola ($45-$85)

This is one of the blockbuster 2009 perfumes and we love it because it embodies a very spirited, playful yet sexy girl who loves to take risks. And the notes of peppercorn, pear, ruby red grapefruit create a sparkling cocktail that will aim to dazzle. There are warm notes in this fragrance too: those of vanilla and warm tonka beans. For a Limited Time, enter the code LOLA on checkout and get a free cosmetics case, mini rollerball and lotion if you buy the 3.4 oz perfume.

Oh, and we love the Lola Limited Edition Perfume Ring!

D&G Le Bateleur Gift Set ($69)

Dolce & Gabbana’s Le Bateleur perfume set has so many notable fragrances that it’s a shame to gift only one.This is a seven piece set and includes a case and sampler of all five fragrances including a full-size $65 value 3.3 oz Eau de Toilette Spray of Le Bateleur (#1), which I think is the most romantic of the D&G new fragrances. It has a blend of aromatics and vetiver. The set also includes L’Imperatrice (#3), L’Amoureux (#6), La Roue de la Fortume (#10) and La Lune (#18).

Banana Republic Republic of Men Gift Set ($49)

We love this gift set from Banana Republic for the man in your life — and it’s so attractively priced at $49, how could you pass this up? It’s masculine with dewy sage and basil and it has a sexy hint of sandalwood. We’re crazy about it.

Victoria’s Secret Velvet Amber Blackberry Fragrance Gift Bag ($19)

Some astute critic once said that if brown velvet could talk, it would speak with Alan Rickman’s voice. An attractive thougth, yes? No one objects to hearing velvet. Victoria’s Secret goes even further in the velvet sensory experience by attempting to capture the smell of the fabric with their latest addition to their Parfums Intimes, Velvet Amber Blackberry. The sweet, dark scent of blackberries take center stage, with amber and Turkish rose playing supporting roles. And how can you pass up this beautifully priced gift bag?

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I’ve gazed at and received several necklaces in my life, but this is one of my all-time favorites. If I received this as a stocking stuffer gift, I would be thrilled to bits. Oh, and did we mention it’s only $16.99 at Avon.com?

This looks good on just about anything: suits, skirts, denim. While we wouldn’t recommend this Avon necklace as the ONLY gift for the recipient, we give it a thumbs up as a stocking stuffer.

We’ve seen them: the Scarlett Johanssens, the Michelle Obamas of the world, and we covet.

Chances are that the signature behind a look is the lip color: after all, who doesn’t notice Gwen Stefani or Lady Gaga’s pout?

Here is our SWAK Gift Guide for you (yes, we have gone to all the trouble of getting you the exact swatch and shade to replicate Screen Siren style):

Michelle Obama:

Michelle Obama

The first lady certainly varies up the lip shade, but we found something similar you can try at home:

Michelle Obama

Shown here is the lipstick in St. Tropez from Iman’s Collection.

Rihanna

Rihanna’s pale ashen rose color from December’s Glamour Magazine cover caught our eye. We recreated it below:

Rihanna

This color is L’Oreal’s Infallible lipcolor in Teaberry. $11.99 at drugstores.

Brigitte Bardot’s bombshell lips are usually coated in pale, creamy shades.

Brigitte Bardot

Here we used Lancome Color Design Lipstick in “Pale Lip” to achieve her iconic look. $22 sephora.com

Brigitte Bardot: Lancome Color Design Lipstick in “Pale Lip”

Scarlet Johansson looks equally gorgeous in a red lip or a pale shade.

Scarlett Johanssen

Here we used Stila Shine Lipcolor in “Sarah” to achieve her D&G Makeup look. $22 lancome.com

Gwen Stefani’s punk rock lips are usually coated in a shade of red.

Gwen Stefani

Here we used Clinique High Impact Lip Colour in “After Party” to achieve her brick red lip. $14 clinique.com

Gwen Stefani: Clinique High Impact lip color

Maybelline Mineral Lipstick in Plum Wine ($7.55 at drugstores) mimics Anne Hathaway’s magnificence with a deep lilac rose shade.

Anne Hathaway

To get Kristen Stewart’s just bitten look, swipe on Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose ($9 at sephora.com.) Brooding vampire sold separately.

Kristen Stewart

Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose

Tap into Joan Crawford’s powerful persona in Mildred Pierce by dabbing on her no-nonsense brown shade of career-ready lipstick. YSL Rouge Volupte in Legendary Mocha ($34 at sephora.com.)

Joan Crawford

Mildred Pierce Lipstick

He taught you how to ride a bike, change a tire, or in my case, hem a skirt.

That’s right; June 21st approaches us, and I speak of our fathers. Specifically, I refer to all the useful things we’ve learned from them. Don’t you think we, the daughters, have a few little pearls of wisdom we can pass on up to our old men? Given the nature of this blog, I think we can help them take better care of their skin, hair, and face, among other things, and all without emptying our rather slender purses. It will in no way make up for everything they have given us, but at least we can try.

If your dad falls into the category of ‘unfussy,’ consider The Body Shop Men’s Essentials Kit. It contains four different maca root products: a face wash, a shaving cream, a razor relief, and a face protector with spf 15. This line has a light scent that even the manliest of fathers cannot object to. Everything your dad needs comes in a small, convenient, $30 bag (go to www.thebodyshop.com to order or find locations.) What could be better?

If your paterfamilias still has hair (the handsome devil,) spoil him with Aveda Damage Remedy Hair Masque ($26 at aveda.com.) His hair may already be perfect, but chances are, he secretly worries that it’s not. A gentlemen I know ‘borrowed’ this product from a female relative of his and confessed without shame that his hair glowed for a week after using it. This formula hits dry hair hard with a mixture of three oils (caster, jojoba, and meadow foam seed) plus barley and quinoa protein. Go ahead and give him a reason to gloat.

But, let’s not exclude the men on the other side of the spectrum. Should your father’s head lack the protection of hair, put together your own gift set with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sun Block 100+ SPF and Banana Boat Soothing After Sun Aloe Gel.

Neutrogena has always led the pack when it comes to reliable, non-greasy sunblock. And I must I must note the 100+ SPF makes the product seem rather manly. At the very least, it should trigger memories of the hilarious Budweiser Real Men of Genius commercials. (Here’s to YOU, Mr. 800 SPF Sunblock Wearer . . . ) The Banana Boat Aloe has healed nasty sunburns in my pasty white family since time immemorial; I can’t imagine a summer with out it. It may not be the fanciest gift out there, but a practical daddy will appreciate it, and you’ll sleep a little better knowing you helped keep him healthy.

For the eco-conscious father, vedaDUDE has developed a whole line of men’s skin care. I especially love the ability to pronounce everything in the ingredient list. Green tea, grape seed, vitamin A, and honey take top billing in their facial cleanser, while coconut, jojoba, and aloe leaf work to hydrate skin in their moisturizing lotion (both $20 at vedababy.com.) The light, herbal scent refreshes the sense of smell and leaves the user feeling confident about the purity of the product they’re just used.

Your father does not need you to go bankrupt as you show him your appreciation; just put a little thought into what you get him. Chances are, he won’t know he needed a skin or hair care product until you get it for him. Go on and make his life a little better. He would do it for you.