HOLIDAYS IN THE VALLEY : Getting Personal : Coping: Consider hiring a professional shopper to help with your gift list. Some find bargains, pick out puppies and even do errands.

Fasten your seat belts, it’s nearly December.

Remember last year? The only gift you could hunt down was one of those dancing daisies that gyrate when you turn on the radio. And remember what your friend said? “Can it be recycled?”

And don’t even think of rummaging the top shelf of your closet where you keep dud gifts. No one wants your fluorescent bath salts, planet-shaped earrings, Sacred Symbol Psychic Cards, 12-pound fruitcake, desk-top Zen garden, audio tape of dolphin sounds, goddess chants or the book, “Healing the Corporate Executive Within.”

To prevent your holiday shopping from becoming a scene out of the movie, “Ernest Scared Stupid,” consider hiring a personal shopper. They’ll get scared for you.

Personal shoppers help the harried draw up gift lists and will wrap and deliver the purchases for you. Some will even select, address and mail holiday cards and perform other errands.

The following experts charge hourly rates; delivery and wrapping is often included and all rates include mileage and parking fees. All shoppers serve the San Fernando Valley. And, of course, December is their busiest month.

Born to Shop began nine years ago when Kathy Bendett turned her habit of shopping for friends into a business. “This seemed like a luxury service when I first started,” said Bendett, who is based in Beverly Hills. “Now it’s a necessity for busy people.”

Bendett, who has a dozen-member staff during the holidays, said the current trend in gift-giving focuses on personal, useful gifts.

“The gift must be meaningful to the receiver,” she said. “For a while people were giving cheese and wine baskets. Now they’re giving a journal and a great pen. Gifts need to be functional. People are also giving things pertaining to the environment.

“My basic rule is no ties and no money--unless it’s a lot of money.” Some of Bendett’s favorite stores include Fred Segal in Los Angeles and Steve’s, a general gift store in Beverly Hills. Bendett, who charges $40 an hour, also shops for clothing and organizes a day of shopping and lunch, for a $100 fee, that takes clients to various Los Angeles shopping destinations. Call (213) 273-1660.

Finishing Touches by Shirley “shops for everything except groceries,” said owner Shirley Norkin, who began her business in Hollywood five years ago. “I’ll even decorate people’s houses for the holidays.”

Norkin buys most of her gifts at wholesale marts, such as the Los Angeles gift mart and at the jewelry and garment district downtown. Tours to clothing marts are also offered for $35.

Norkin, who puts 40,000 miles a year on her 1989 Chrysler station wagon, said animals have become a popular holiday gift item. “Dogs, cats, rabbits--people are in the mood to give pets during December,” she said. “Poodles are popular. I don’t buy from the pet stores, only from reputable breeders.”

Finishing Touches also arranges $250 romantic weekends to such destinations as Laguna Beach and Palm Springs. Norkin’s services cost $50 per week, which entitles buyers to four shopping excursions, or $200 a month for unlimited shopping. Gift wrapping and delivery is extra. Call (213) 467-5462.

Just Call Sharon, based in Beverly Hills, has bought gifts that range from $5 to $100,000. “I’ve purchased and delivered 80 ounces of caviar and 80 bottles of Dom Perignon champagne for someone turning 80 years old,” said owner Sharon Sacks, who has also flung her credit card down for furs, Porsches and diamond necklaces. “I don’t do windows, and I don’t do errands.”

Sacks, who began her business in 1985, said she buys for the “movers and shakers of this town.” Clerks at such stores as Cartier, Pratesi (of Italian linens fames), Tiffany & Co. and Neiman-Marcus know her by name. “I’ve bought, wrapped and delivered a lot of gifts for the holidays back in July,” said Sacks, who also organizes fund-raisers and banquets.

Delivery is not always included in Sacks’ $75-per-hour charge. Call (213) 657-8630.

Mrs. B’s Personal Shopper purchases gifts mainly from department stores and malls. “Sometimes people ask me to buy presents that they never see,” owner Joan Briscoe said. “It may be a piece of Waterford crystal--they already know what it looks like.”

Briscoe, who began her Westlake Village business in 1986, said she searches for bargains in each morning’s newspaper. “I view my service more like a helping hand,” she said. “Along with buying a gift, I give advice as to where to tailor something or what catalogue to use if people want to order a specialty item.”

Mrs. B’s also shops for groceries and clothes and does various errands. Specialty gifts include breakfast in bed, priced at $125. Hourly rate is $25. Call (818) 706-8914.

Executive Run-Around, based in Encino, began four years ago after owner Dinny Miller left her administrative assistant job at Warner Bros. studios. “I realized there was a market, especially with busy entertainment people who never seem to have enough time,” said Miller, who also runs errands for clients, especially during the holidays.

Cost is $30 per hour. Call (818) 501-6466.

That’s a Wrap Gift Couriers coordinates with retailers to purchase and deliver gifts by phone. Clients call the 2-year-old service to select such gifts as jewelry, watches, scarves and gift certificates for restaurants, ocean cruises and resort packages.

Wrapping and delivery are included in an individual membership, $49.95, or corporate, $89.95, both of which allow unlimited ordering for one year. Call (800) 733-2891.

EHB Executive Gifts specializes in buying corporate clients such gifts as desk clocks, crystal water pitchers, desk sets, “even earthquake survival kits make nice, thoughtful gifts,” said owner Elaine Bern, who began her Canoga Park business in 1982.

“I was a corporate controller in my former job, so I think I understand the corporate environment,” Bern said. “Also, I have excellent taste--at least that’s what my mother tells me.”

Bern, who usually shops at wholesale marts, also buys gifts for individual clients. Call (818) 998-7800.