Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 19, 1993 TAG: 9311190341
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: HGG-14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BECKY HEPLER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Long
For some men, hardware stores are as close to heaven on earth as it gets, because they're filled with power tools, lots of small parts and other men who will discuss the implications of enamel versus latex. The woman connected to a man like this merely needs to get him a hardware store gift certificate and that part of her shopping is done. But you can do just as well for the rest of your list, too.
Women, as a rule, do not accumulate tools, and while they can be extremely clever at adapting other implements to the job, such as the butter knife for a screwdriver or a shoe for a hammer, they deserve their own tool box. Fill it with a set of screwdrivers, wrenches, a hammer, a couple of pairs of pliers, including needle-nose pliers to fix jewelry, a box of assorted nails and screws and you've made someone more self-sufficient.
A great stocking-stuffer is a measuring tape, because yardsticks are inevitably lost, broken or pressed into service as flagpoles or swords. The tapes are retractable, small enough to fit into that kitchen drawer that catches everything and range in cost from $5 to $13.
If you have a teenager who will soon, or has already received his or her own car, the auto tool box is a great idea. Outfitted with the aforementioned screwdrivers and a socket set, plus ice scraper, fire extinguisher, safety flares and a first aid kit, the tool box will be used by your child far longer than any Pearl Jam box set CDs you could have bought.
Mark Morehead, sales rep at Central Lumber said the Ace Hardware franchise, in a bid to stay competitive with Craftsman tools, now offers a lifetime guarantee on any Ace tool, making your gifts even more valuable and more functional.
Everyone knows someone with a green thumb, and if that person is on your holiday shopping list, go to the gardening section of the hardware store and pick out an outdoor toll pouch. The leather belt has three pockets that will hold gardening handtools comfortably around the waist while working. Tuck in some extra work gloves for a thoughtful touch.
If you rake leaves in the fall, you know that even the metal rakes have a short shelf life. However, the ultimate in raking implements is a bamboo raker. Light yet sturdy, it is a good gift for someone who lives amidst a lot of trees.
Shopping the power tool section can wipe off a major chunk of your list of names, especially if these people have hobbies and habits. The craft person will love a jig saw that will cut curves, arcs and shapes, while those who enjoy renovating houses or furniture will find that a heat gun will save them gallons of liquid paint and varnish remover. The weekend carpenter will find the band saw helpful and the maintenance person can clean and sharpen all the tools with a grinding wheel.
The cordless tools, such as drills and electric screwdrivers offer great convenience when working in out-of-the-way places and who doesn't need a power drill in these days?
Get the weather watcher without cable or a satellite dish his own thermometer. The low tech model comes with large numbers printed on it so you can read it from across the yard.
Thrill the grill chef extraordinaire and save those fingers from short matches with a charcoal lighter, which is also handy for starting those cozy fires in the fireplace. Other grill gifts to consider are the boxed accessory kits of baster, fork and tongs. A good stocking stuffer is the gas bottle indicator that lets you know if there's enough fuel in there for one more steak.
You can find home appliances such as coffee makers and many hardware stores even carry some electronic equipment, including radios, answering machines and telephones.
You can buy a cork bulletin board so your 10-year-old will finally have a place to display all those ribbons won in 4-H, the science fair or the horse show. Or, if you are so inclined, make it yourself. Of course, a hardware store would have all the supplies if you were interested in making gifts for those on your list. You'll even find craft supplies such as stencils, paints and brushes.
For kids (no matter what their ages) who like to go fast, Morehead pointed out the Manco Machine, a go-cart with a roll bar and a gas engine that can go up to 20-22 mph. The children's model starts at $500, the adult model at $1,200.
These gifts have a utilitarian flavor, which suits practical souls just fine. However, if that idea is the equivalent of gift broccoli to someone on your list, someone for whom holidays are the season to collect precious stones, you can have a lot of fun and create some gift-unwrapping suspense.
Just get one of those plastic boxes with the multiple chambers for storing nails, screws, tacks and other small things (they're going for $5 now at your local store). Wrap your bauble in paper and put in one of the compartments, then fill the other chambers with paper as well. Have a cup of eggnog while you see how long it takes to find the real present.
by CNB