As Valentine's Day approaches, allow me to put one more gift idea on your radar: a larger-than-life bottle of Chanel No. 5 ($15,000; 30.4 fl. oz.).
The storied fragrance has been celebrated by a long list of stars including Marilyn Monroe, Gisele Bündchen and Brad Pitt—and for good reason. Created in 1921, it quickly gained renown for its aldehydic profile: that instantly recognizable layer of top notes that gives a fragrance effervescence and fizz.
While the classic flacon retains its own kind of luxury, you have to admit: there's something wonderfully decadent about the Grand Extrait Crystal (extrait refers to the highest, purest concentration of a fragrance). Only 50 limited-edition bottles exist, each numbered and housed in sparkling crystal. Order one, and it will be delivered to you by hand. There are gifts you just shouldn't ship.
Stateside, find the last three bottles at Violet Grey on Melrose Place and VioletGrey.com. For those who may fret over the practical uses of so much perfume, Violet Grey has helpfully offered a list of ideas, including swapping it in for weights during your workout (while fervently praying you won't drop it, I'd assume). But should you gift it to someone special this year, you need offer no more than the simple suggestion that they wear and admire it. After all, the best way to use up a king-sized bottle of Chanel No. 5 is one, luxurious spray at a time.
For more Valentine's Day gift ideas, consider this list of rose spa treatments. Follow me on Twitter and Forbes.
