So, you need the perfect gift for a special woman in your life? Whether you're shopping for your wife, girlfriend or just a close female friend, here are some ideas on gifts for her.

You've probably heard the old saw, "Don't ever buy a woman a toaster," but practical gifts are appreciated more often than you might think. Practical gifts that do something fun are especially smart ideas. We like robotic vacuums and washers, like iRobot's Roomba and its cousin the Scooba, because not only do they clean your floors, but it's fun to watch them zip around and scare the cat. As an alternative, you could just volunteer to do the vacuuming and washing for her, but that's the beauty of these little gadgets -- no one has to spend time actually pushing a vacuum or mop around.

Cleaning house is all well and good, but don't neglect the finer things in life, such as a warm frothy cappuccino. We like the DeLonghi Retro Espresso/Cappuccino Maker BAR32, with its automatic self-priming and easy-to-use controls. Cappuccinos, lattes and hot chocolates get a thick milk froth thanks to its swivel jet frother. Serve up a couple of these comforting drinks for the two of you, and you've got instant quality time.

DeLonghi Retro Espresso/Cappuccino Maker BAR32
DeLonghi Retro Espresso/Cappuccino Maker BAR32

Shopping for a woman who works from home, or just one who makes a lot of phone calls? A wireless headset like the Plantronics CS50 900 MHz Office Headset lets her keep her hands free while she talks. Now she can multitask without getting that crick in her neck from cradling the phone between ear and shoulder. She'll not only be grateful, she'll also need fewer neck rubs. Everyone wins!

You might decide the practical route is not for you, in which case, a personalized flower arrangement is always a good bet. Sure, fresh flowers don't last very long, but they have an incomparable aura of romance about them that's been tried and true for centuries, so in that sense, they're timeless. Or, if she has a green thumb, consider a potted plant -- but keep it small and tasteful. Check out these flower and plant arrangements for some good ideas.

Want a symbol of your affection that's a bit longer-lasting? As any woman will tell you, you can't go wrong with jewelry. Don't just pick something flashy, though -- pay attention to what she wears, and try to select a piece that matches her sense of style. For instance, she may prefer silver to gold, or pearls to diamonds. And coordinating sets of jewelry, such as earrings and a necklace, are always welcome, especially if they go with an outfit she already owns. Get some jewelry gift ideas here.

Scented candles are popular gifts year-round, but they're especially good for the winter holidays, when most people love to fill their homes with the smells of pumpkin, vanilla or cinnamon. As with the jewelry, find out what she likes before you shop -- you don't want to buy her an orange-scented candle if she dislikes citrus. Mix and match several complementary colors and scents in a gift basket for that personal touch.