Enlivening a Valentine Message

From now until Feb. 14, just about every merchant will be wearing his heart on his sleeve--or on his shirt, socks or underwear. (Jockey’s boxer shorts, covered with balloons that say “Cause you carry me away,” are $6 at Robinson’s. The same store offers men’s socks with hearts and arrows, $4.50.)

More hot lines to the heart are the usual assortment of women’s lingerie, handkerchiefs and T-shirts, all of which are designed to turn life’s necessities into cardiac chic for at least one love-packed day.

The more inspired V-Day gifts are tougher to spear. The Most Creative Packaging award for basic non-Valentine’s Day-inspired merchandise goes to lingerie shop owner Lisa Norman. Her Posy Pants are lacy pink bikinis swirled to look like a rose on a stem.

Sachets and lingerie bags are a tender touch for females who keep their drawers in drawers. And for some women, scents seem to make the most sense of all. Georgette Klinger blends her Kathryn fragrance into heart-shaped guest and hand soaps, to put your valentine on top of the best-smeller list.

And hearts will almost certainly go out to the new heart-shaped jewelry available now. Nordstrom offers a wide variety in prices as low as $9 for drop earrings.

For those who would rather wear their heart where it belongs--or in the general vicinity--Bullock’s has trendy but tender heart-shape brooches from simply sweet to ridiculously romantic, most under $30.

Traditionalists, take heart. If it’s chocolate she wants, think twice before you brush it off as unforgivably forgettable. It is said that Casanova and Don Juan used confections to weave many a romantic spell. And why not? Candidly speaking, chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a stimulant some say is produced in the brain when you’re in love.