It's one of life's little luxuries, but most of us feel guilty about splashing out on perfume.

So why not sniff out some bargains and treat someone you love this Christmas.

IT'S THE peak time of year for perfume sales. We're either buying it for other people or treating ourselves to something subtle and sensuous for the party season.

And the good news is that perfume prices are coming down. Despite the bet efforts of some of the fine fragrance houses a lot of snobbery has gone from the market.

Especially if you like one of the most popular perfumes, you might well be able to snap it up at a bargain prices from cheapo shops like Wilkinsons or Savers. The atmosphere might not be so rarefied, the choice not so wide, but the perfume's the same and the prices are a lot cheaper.

The other good news for perfume buyers is that whereas with most products you pay a fortune for the packaging (Just think Easter eggs), it's quite the opposite with fine fragrances.

If you buy one of those posh fancily-packed gift sets, you can often find that you're getting perfume plus body lotion or shower gel, for the price you would pay just for the perfume in the rest of the year.

TOMMY GIRL Cologne Spray 50ml plus 100ml body lotion £29 (Boots and Binns). Individually, these would cost you £36.50.

The 100ml spray set with body wash, lotion and gel is £45 (instead of £68.50).

ESTEE LAUDER BEAUTIFUL gift set £30 in Binns, instead of £43 individually.

Virtually all the gift sets are real bargains compared to the normal individual prices in stores. Oddest is ANAIS ANAIS in Boots. The 30ml spray on its own is £29, but you can buy a gift set with the bigger 50ml spray, plus a 200ml body lotion - for £28.50. It must be Christmas.

And Binns, which has some of the widest choice of gift sets, say they will match any price.

The exception is CHANEL. They charge exactly the same for the items in their gift sets as bought individually but they will also make up your gift box for you and you can choose which items you want. So at least you're not paying for a body wash or something that will never be used.

But if you just wanted the perfume - no fancy box, no body lotion, then it's often cheaper to go elsewhere - supermarkets or discount stores.

You can get just about any perfume you want from the Internet. Most sites there have no delivery charge and also offer free gift packing and prices are very competitive. Some, such as Fragrance Bay, also take orders by phone or fax.

We've been sniffing along a few counters...

BOSS WOMAN Eau de Parfum Spray 50ml. ASDA: £19.97; Argos: £24.99; Fragrance Bay: £24.99; Boots: £30.

PAUL SMITH Eau de Parfum 30ml

Wilkinsons: £16.79; Fragrance Bay: £19.99; Boots: £24.

CALVIN KLEIN TRUTH Eau de Parfum 30ml. Wilkinsons £15.99; Boots: £21.

ANAIS ANAIS Eau De Toilette 30ml.

ASDA: £12.94; Savers: £14.99; Fragrance Bay: £17.99; Boots: £29.

GIVENCHY YSATIS Eau de Toilette 25ml. Wilkinsons: £12.75; Savers: £14.99; Boots: £16.95.

CHANEL No. 5 Eau de Toilette 100ml.

Fragrance Bay: £54.99; Binns : £56; Boots: £56

CERUTTI 1881 Eau de Toilette 30ml.

Savers: £12.99; Wilkinson: £12.99; Argos: £13.50.

BURBERRY TOUCH Eau de Parfum 30ml. Fragrance Bay £19.99; Boots: £25

DUNE Eau de toilette spray 30ml. Fragrance Bay: £25; Boots: £24, plus 50ml body lotion

CLINIQUE HAPPY Eau de Parfum 30ml. Wilkinsons £20; Boots: £20.

COOL WATER Eau de Toilette 30ml

Wilkinsons: £14.89; Argos: £17.99

For the cheaper prices you'll have to move quickly as stocks are limited. But now for perfume, as with everything else, it's worth shopping round.

wwwFragranceBay.com or tel 0870 747 136. Fax: 0161 797 3825. Deliveries free on orders over £20. Under £20, delivery charge £1. Express delivery extra.