The Great Valentine's Day Gift Dilemma: Question: What Gift Says It All, Does It All, in One Pretty Package? Answer: Fragrance, Fragrance, Fragrance.

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Feb 02, 2012, 05:31 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The biggest gift-giving dilemma for most men is, without doubt, Valentine's Day. Want to give sexy undies? Better be confident in the choice. How about a bouquet of red roses? Lovely but not long-lasting. Chocolates? Think of the calories. What's a man to do?

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"Lose the lingerie, cut the calories and think fragrance, fragrance, fragrance," says Mary Ellen Lapsansky, Vice President of The Fragrance Foundation. "One drop of fragrance can say it all, do it all. A gorgeous fragrance can make any woman feel sensual, pampered, sophisticated, cherished. Fragrance can instantly evoke a special time and place. A first kiss, a romantic evening, not to mention ever-lasting thoughts of the caring gift-giver. Even chocolate has found its way into fragrance so there is no style, size or calorie-inducing bloopers to worry about."

No other Valentine's Day memento can keep giving back day after day with a little dab here or spritz there. Thanks to the perfumer's genius, there is a fragrance to suit every love, poured into exquisite, keepsake bottles. From classic to sassy, sexy to sophisticated, romantic to playful, it's easy to find a fragrance that captures the heart. Just ask for a Certified Fragrance Sales Specialist at a favorite retail store. These trained experts can help pick the perfect scent, advises The Fragrance Foundation. "Just describe a personality trait, a fashion style, a favorite celebrity or even a music preference and they will pinpoint 'the' one," concludes Ms. Lapsansky.

Getting acquainted with the language of fragrance can also make the choice easier. For example, rose, violet or lilac scents are considered "single" florals, while a floral "bouquet" is an intricate blend of several, delicately balanced flowers. Fragrances referred to as Spicy or Oriental are made from a complex blend of actual spice notes such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and other exotic ingredients including gourmand notes like chocolate. These are often considered sophisticated, mysterious, and uninhibited with a strong, erotic appeal. The total opposite? Green or citrusy fragrances with notes of freshly cut grass, orange or lemon zest also says sexy but in a more lighthearted, playful style.

So unleash that inner passion, let the genie out of the bottle this Valentine's Day with a gift of fragrance. It's sure to bring a secret smile that lasts much longer than 24 hours.

SOURCE The Fragrance Foundation