What do folks really want for Christmas? Some of the answers might just be found on the shelves of hardware stores and home centers.
“People definitely like to get practical gifts like tools,” says Sean Boyle, marketing manager for Stanley. “They are great for anyone who does any kind of work around the house, whether it be a father, a son or a husband or even for women who do home remodeling and do-it-yourself projects.”
There are, of course, some nuances to take into consideration. “Guys especially love to get tools that are new and neat, while a women may not be too happy receiving a hammer,” says Boyle. “Instead of just wrapping up a tool in pretty holiday paper, why not include it with a companion gift such as a framed picture and the tools to hang it.”
Shoppers trying to choose a tool as a gift will find that many of them have a catchword on the label. “There is a craze for ergonomics,” explains Boyle. “Some tools may just look cool, but they don’t have the research to back up the ergonomic design.” Before buying a tool, Boyle advises, “Hold it in your hand to see if it feels comfortable, look at the quality of the materials, and trust a brand that you know.”
Do-it-yourselfers and gardeners have other needs that go beyond owning the best tools. Safety equipment, such as protective eyewear, is another must, which can show that you care about the recipient’s well being.
“As the Baby Boomers age, they are becoming more aware of safety and taking care of themselves,” says Peter Murphy, director of consumer marketing for AOSafety, so we are seeing a trend toward more safety-related products and ones that are better looking.”
Other useful gifts include ones that shed some light on work to be done. “A flashlight is a great gift for kids to give to their dad or their mom,” says Danielle Kyriakos, brand manager of lighting products at Energizer. “There are some that look really neat, and they’re not expensive.”
Here are some new products that might be welcome gifts for people who like to do work around the house and in the garden, along with suggested retail prices. Contact listed manufacturers for help in finding a retailer in your area that carries a specific item.
Handy item. Any do-it-yourselfer or gardener who receives a pair of Comfort Grips gloves will be happy to see they are made out of leather and are machine washable. Keeping the gloves clean has a built-in advantage because they get softer and more comfortable with each washing. They are available in a variety of styles and neutral colors. Price: $10-$20. Wells Lamont, 6640 W. Touhy Ave., Niles, IL 60714-4587. Phone: 847-647-8200.
For your eyes only. No one will be stopped by the fashion police when they wear protective, lightweight Landscaper Safety Glasses from AOSafety. They look like stylish wrap-around sunglasses and they do the job right because they absorb 99.9 percent of UV light. But they also have scratch-resistant lenses that protect the eyes from flying debris when using a lawn mower, a blower or a weed trimmer. Price: $8.96. AOSafety, 8001 Woodland Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46278. Phone: 800-327-3431.
Going the distance. The tape measure may be a traditional item in every toolbox, but Starrett has updated it to meet contemporary aesthetic and technological standards. The company’s new Digitape comes in a trendy transparent blue case. It has the standard graduated measurements on the yellow pull-out tape, but it also has an “electronic brain” that gives a digital display of the measurement, in inches and feet or metric measurements, in clear sight on the top of the tape measure. Measurements can be retained in the Digitape’s memory. Price: $18-$28. L.S. Starrett Co., 121 Crescent St., Athol, MA 01331. Phone: 800-541-8887.
Good vibes. The Stanley AntiVibe Hammer brings a new concept to this traditional tool. It features a once piece, double-forged steel head and shaft designed to be well-balanced and durable. But the real innovation is a tuning fork, hidden away in the handle to absorb harmful vibrations, so they aren’t transmitted to the arm and elbow with every blow. A textured, molded rubber grip on the handle makes the hammer comfortable to hold, and prevents it from slipping in the hand. The AntiVibe Hammer is available in a nail or framing model in a variety of weights and sizes. Prices: $29.99-$44.99, depending on size and style. Stanley, 1000 Stanley Drive, New Britain, Conn. 06053. Phone: 800-STANLEY.
Jack of all trades. The SwitchPlier from SOG is ready to tackle a variety of jobs. All it takes is a press of a button on this multifunctional tool to transform into a pair of spring-loaded pliers. The handles hide several other small tools, including screwdrivers in three different sizes, a 1/4-inch socket drive, a three-sided file and a partially serrated blade. The sleekly designed SwitchPlier is made of stainless steel and aluminum and comes with a nylon pouch equipped with a clip to attach to a belt or a pocket. Price: $74.95. SOG Specialty Knives, 6521 212th St. Southwest, Lynnwood, WA 98036. Phone: 888-SOG-BEST.
See the light. Energizer offers two new easy ways for people to light up their lives. The Swivel Head Light looks like a flashlight, but it is designed with a sturdy rubber base that allows it to stand on its own. Hands can be free for doing fix-up projects in dim places. The head rotates 180 degrees.
The Arc White Hi Intensity Fluorescent Light is a more cutting-edge choice.
This sleek silver and black flashlight has the traditional spotlight at one end as well as a long, thin bright fluorescent bulb that runs along the length. Prices: $7.99 for the Swivel Head, $15.99 for the Arc White Light. Energizer, Consumer Relations, Energizer Lighting Products, Checkerboard Square, St. Louis, MO 63164. Phone: 800-383-7323.
