FOR SOME WOMEN, GIFT PRACTICALITY IS A TURN-ON.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Staff Writer

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but in these troubled times, oh, what she'd give for a new carpet cleaner that really gets the pet stains out. Or a teapot with a whistle that blows loud enough to hear from the bathroom.

Instead of dazzling her with some do-nothing object she'll have to dust or clothes that she'll have to return, give her something she can actually use to make life a tad more civilized - or at least more fun.

To get you started, we shopped the aisles and catalogs for 10 of the top ideas for the house and home.

1. Wine rings: Ever misplaced your wine glass? These jewel-toned beaded wine rings will not only help everybody find their glass, but they look so much better than paper cups with name tags stuck to them for identification. You'll find them at numerous stores, including Target, priced at $7.99 for a set of six.

2. Belgian waffle iron: More than ever, Americans are rediscovering the pleasures of the past, from fireside chats to homemade waffles. Luckily, the newest waffle irons feature non-stick surfaces so they don't have to be scrubbed and oiled like Mom's model. Featured on the cover is the Belgian Waffle Baker/Griddle/Grill combo that's dishwasher safe for $79.99 at J.C. Penney stores, but equally impressive is the Krups Belgian Waffle Iron at Robinsons-May stores for $49.99 that promises to make four extra-thick waffles in four minutes and tells you when it's ready with a green light.

3. Shower CD player: So she can't carry a tune. At least she'll be able to play her favorite tunes in the shower with the first water-resistant CD player and radio that features stereo sound from quality dual speakers. It's called the CD Shower Companion from Sharper Image, also available at Bloomingdale's for $189.95.

4. Paint kit: Love all those faux finishes you've seen in the magazines but scared to try it yourself? Home Depot offers the Woolie Decorative Painting Kit with an instructional video to teach you how to create marbled or rag finishes, with rollers and other supplies priced at $29.99. Cans of paint are sold separately.

5. Carpet cleaner: With your own portable carpet shampooer you can always have fresh-smelling, stain-free carpeting. One of the newest models of the season is the Dirt Devil Platinum Force $229, available at most discount department stores. And maybe now she won't scream, ``Who let the dogs out?''

6. Instant back rub: Not only does this bed lounge give you back support while reading, laptopping or watching TV in bed, but it provides a warm massage. The gray flannel-covered backrest has two vibrating elements for slow and steady or overall intensity, a heater, plus side pockets on the arms to hold the remote and your reading glasses. It's $115 in the Red Envelope catalog; to order call [phone] or order online at www.redenvelope.com. before Dec. 21 for Christmas delivery.

7. Tub caddy: She'll feel ultra-pampered soaking in a tub of bubbles with Taymor's new bath caddy that fits across most tubs and is designed to hold a candle and wine glass, with a built-in book rack and mirror. It's $59.99 at Bloomingdale's, Fashion Square mall in Sherman Oaks.

8. Garden tools: Just the thing for reaching those hanging ferns and impatiens on the condo porch is the SunMate Wandmate with a pistol grip hose extension. It's $27.98 at Home Depot stores, where there are also watering cans for old-fashioned gardeners.

9. Fondue fantasy: Relive the '70s by dipping chunks of cake or strawberries into chocolate on an ultra-modern stainless steel Lazy Susan with its own fondue pot and nifty little color-tipped forks. The 32-piece Trudeau Supreme Lazy Susan Fondue Set is available at K-mart (or bluelight.com) for $119.99. On a budget? K-mart has a smaller 11-piece set for $19.99, without the swivel action.

10. Toaster: She's not a kid, but has fond memories of Hello Kitty pencil boxes and little girl-sized gadgets. For her, an adult-sized pink-and-white Hello Kitty toaster that toasts an imprint of the beloved kitty face on each slice of bread. It's $34.95 at San Rio stores at Glendale Galleria, The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks and the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

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Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) Belgian waffle iron

(2 -- color) Wine rings

(2 -- color) Shower CD player

(2 -- color) Paint kit

(2 -- color) Carpet cleaner

(2 -- color) Instant back rub

(2 -- color) Tub caddy

(2 -- color) Garden tools

(2 -- color) Fondue fantasy

(2 -- color) Toaster