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By LEANORA MINAI; Times Leader Consumer Writer
Thursday, February 10, 1994     Page: 2C QUICK WORDS: UNIQUE GIFTS GET TO THE
HEART OF VALENTINE’S DAY

Have a heart. Get your honey something different on Valentine’s Day.
   
Instead of a dozen red roses or a heart-shaped box of chocolates, a
full-body massage or a tattoo might be nice.
    Or how about a chateaubriand “sweetheart dinner” for two? That may be more
like you.
   
There are so many ways to say “I love you” that finding a unique gift that
suits your main squeeze’s personality is easy. You just need to know where to
look.
   
One place to look is Shakti, a makeover salon that’s well-prepared to
pamper your little petunia or big bear.
   
Shakti, in Kingston, will charge you $30 to give that special someone a
facial. “It’s a wonderful, relaxing experience because not only is the face
massaged and cleansed but your scalp is as well,” said Judith Cefaly, Shakti
general manager.
   
While your sweetie’s face basks in a mask, someone will rub his or her’s
arms and feet so “you’re not just laying there with a mask on,” Cefaly said.
   
You get even more pampering for $150. We’re talking haircut, scalp and body
massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, makeup and a hot wax treatment for hands
and feet. Your loved one also gets a light lunch and receives a rose at the
end of the five-hour session.
   
Shakti’s pampering doesn’t end there. For an additional $75, the salon will
pick up your love bunny in a stretch limousine, complete with TV and bar, then
drop him or her off after a day of body-coddling.
   
It won’t feel as relaxing as a massage, but you can prove your devotion
with a tattoo.
   
Jerry’s Tattoo Studio in Wilkes-Barre sells gift certificates for all sorts
of tattoos. A popular Valentine feature is a heart with roses snaking around
it. The tattoos start at $45. The more roses, the more expensive the tattoo.
   
“The chicks will buy a gift certificate for their boyfriends for a tattoo
and he usually gets a heart with her name in it,” said Jerry Le Roy, owner of
the South Main Street studio.
   
That tattoo could match the underware you pick up at Spencer Gifts in the
Wyoming Valley Mall. For $12.95, you can buy your hunk a pair of white velvet
or cotton boxer shorts decorated with red hearts or lips. A leather rose,
available for $8.95 from Brackney Leather in Wyoming, may go well with the
shorts and tattoo.
   
Roses made of chocolate, not leather, are available at Balloons and Cheers
in Wilkes-Barre. For prices starting at $19.94, you’ll get an arrangement of
helium balloons delivered by your choice of a man or woman dressed in a
tuxedo. You can have long-stem chocolate roses delivered with the balloons at
prices ranging from $3 for one to $32.95 for a dozen.
   
A more traditional treat for Valentine’s Day is a romantic dinner. But if
you don’t want to be too traditional, try Celestino’s Restaurant in Dupont,
which is offering two different “sweetheart dinners” complete with a
complimentary glass of red wine and a red rose.
   
You can choose between chateaubriand for $45 (per couple) or rack of lamb
for $48. Both dishes will be carved on a silver platter at your table. For an
appetizer, try “Cupid’s Valentine Fettucine Alfredo,” beet-and-egg pasta for
$5.95.
   
Couples should make reservations for the Valentine’s Day dinner at
Celestino’s.
   
Even if you’re dining at home, you’ll need to make reservations if you want
to take advantage of a special offered by Elegant Catering of Wilkes-Barre.
   
Owner Allan Randall, who said he has cooked at Hottle’s and Red Lobster,
will prepare a dinner for two in his kitchen, then deliver it to your door for
$99.95.
   
You’ll get a red candle, half-dozen roses, bottle of wine or champagne,
soup, salad and choice of entree and dessert. But you need to make your
reservations by Saturday.
   
Take any of these gift suggestions and you shouldn’t have any reservations
about your originality this Valentine’s Day.