Practical Meets Romance Think Outside of the Candy Box This Valentine's Day HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentine's Day isn't just about romance anymore. Sure, buying gifts for a sweetheart is still top of mind for many shoppers, but Valentine's Day is becoming a family holiday. This year, more than two-thirds of Americans are planning to be a thoughtful Cupid for the other loves of their lives, such as children, parents or friends, according to a recent National Retail Federation survey. In fact, the average consumer will spend nearly $100 on Valentine's Day this year, up from $80.44 last year, according to the survey. With so many consumers expanding their gift-giving horizons, Sears has some creative ideas to help them findthe perfect gift, no matter who their Valentines are. For Families -- You'll feel the love when you upgrade the television to a family-sized version with the Hitachi 43 in. HDTV Monitor/Projection TV ($1,499.99) with picture-in-picture -- The Victory 10-in-1 Game Table ($249.99) is fun for the whole family and includes soccer, pool, air-powered hockey, table tennis, shuffleboard, backgammon, chess, bowling, checkers and playing cards -- Update the family's rec room with the Pro Form Treadmill ($499.99) with CrossWalk arms for an upper body workout For Kids -- They'll tune in when you present the Sony Psyc CD Walkman ($49) in red, or the Rio 128 MB Personal MP3/WMA Flash Memory Player ($149.99) also in red -- Cupid's arrow will hit its target with the Halex Meteor 2.0 Electronic Dart Board in an oak-finished wood case ($59.99) For Her -- With certified diamonds at an affordable price, the task of shopping for jewelry is easier than ever. Wow your significant other, your mom or your daughter - in fact, any special woman in your life - with a Celestial Star 1/4 ct. tw.* diamond heart pendant. She'll thank you all year long ($199.88) -- Use common 'scents' when youpamper her with perfume, like the popular Celine Dion boxed fragrance gift set ($22) -- After an evening out, your significant other will love slipping into the lavish feel of an Inner Most red satin chemise ($22) -- Give your Valentine the gift of warmth with the luxuriously soft Lands' End cashmere collection (sweaters from $95-$135) available in a range of rich colors -- Hoping to avoid the stores? Visit http://www.sears.com/ to send a Harry and David Tower of Hearts ($39.95). These heart-shaped boxes each are filled with a different exclusive confection, including Dark Chocolate Moose Munch caramel popcorn, Chocolate Truffles and Royal Cherry Chocolates For Him -- Women aren't the only ones who like shiny new presents. Surprise him with a gleaming Craftsman toolbox - red, of course. Larger wheeled versions or standard available ($49.99 and up) -- Put a little power in your man's hand with a Craftsman 12.0 volt EX cordless drill and accessory bits ($59.99). He'll love the new toy, and it might even inspire him to tackle a project around the house -- Ask your significant other to prepare a Valentine's Day dinner on his new Kenmore gas grill - you're sure to get out of cooking meals more often! ($169.98 and up) -- Seeing red can be a good thing. New laser-equipped tools from Craftsman will give your handyman greater precision than ever before. Check out the Craftsman Laser Level ($39.99) or the Craftsman circular saw with LaserTrac ($69.99) -- Give him the gift that keeps giving-the Sears gift card, available in a variety of designs ($5-500) About Sears Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. With revenues in 2003 of $41.1 billion, the company offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,300 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the U.S. and Canada, including approximately 1,000 full-line stores and 1,300 specialty stores. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears is the only retailer where consumers can find each of the Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End brands together - among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the largest provider of product repair services with more than 14 million services calls made annually. * Diamond weights may not be exact, but are never more than .05 carat below the stated weight. DATASOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co. CONTACT: Rochelle Williams of Sears, Roebuck and Co., +1-847-286-2081 Web site: http://www.sears.com/

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