THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 17, 1995 TAG: 9512150061
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE
SOURCE: BY MARY FLACHSENHAAR, SPECIAL TO HOME & GARDEN
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
ON THE FIRST DAY of Christmas my true love gave to me a Snakelight for when it's hard to see. . . .
The Snakelight from Black & Decker, a flashlight that stands, wraps and coils, leaving your hands free for the job, may not be as romantically correct a gift as a partridge in a pear tree. But it will certainly see more use.
The world is divided into two types of people: those who insist that a gift be personal and whimsical. And those who are thrilled with the crispness of a brand-new broom, the hum of a virgin vacuum cleaner on its first encounter with demon dust.
What follows is a list of gift possibilities for the latter group, those of us who believe that dresser tops across the land are cluttered with enough designer scents, faux pearls and porcelain ring boxes, thank you.
On the second day of Christmas, true love, how about a specialty vacuum, maybe one of the powerful new mini ones so easy to use for a quick trip around the high chair every mealtime.
At Jessie Williams gift shop at Wards Corner in Norfolk, we found two pygmy models that are very specialized - the battery-operated ``mini car vac'' and the ``techvac.'' The latter, also battery-operated, looks like a dentist's tool and is designed to clean small places like computer keyboards, fax machines and cameras.
If you have a queen (or king) of clean on your list, she (or he) might be grateful for a ``handy mini duster'' of wax-treated cotton strands on a plastic handle for hard-to-dust places like venetian blinds. The duster is No. 60084 in the catalog Solutions (800 342-9988), which promises pre-Christmas delivery on orders received by Dec. 20. The Brookstone catalog (800 926-7000) promises delivery to Hampton Roads within four working days on its ostrich-feather duster that extends to 7 feet in height, ideal for zapping those overhead cobwebs that mothers-in-law always notice.
The Solutions catalog has more for neatniks. A doormat called ``brush mat'' (No. 5599) has brushes on its floor and up its sides for removing stubborn dirt from the soles and sides of shoes. A set of 12 ``never-burn-down candles'' in ivory, crimson, green or gold is really two metal candle cases with 12 wax inserts (No. 61192). Hot wax will not mar table or linens as these candles glow.
Party-givers might appreciate Rubbermaid's ``anything goes wheeled ice chest,'' a 60-quart ice chest on four big wheels with a recessed handle that can accompany thirsty revelers around the backyard, picnic ground or oceanfront. Look for it at Sports Authority.
For the do-it-yourselfers on your list, you might want to check out Black & Decker's new ``VersaPak'' interchangeable battery system at hardware and department stores. One common battery powers an entire family of cordless products, including the Snakelight, a vacuum, drills, screwdrivers, a multi-purpose saw, a detail sander and a flashlight.
If you're buying for someone more into leisure than work, be advised that La-Z-Boy Chair Co.'s newest invention, the ``El Dorado,'' not only rocks and reclines but is equipped with a massage mechanism and a built-in heating system. It's available at La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery, 5300 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Too indulgent for the practical-minded?
Then how about the multifunctional Snuggler from Action Lane, a sleek and oversize armchair and ottoman equipped with two space-saving features: The chair converts to a twin bed and the ottoman hides a storage chest. It's at Hecht's and many local furniture stores.
A shower curtain may seem far too useful to go under the Christmas tree unless you choose one that's playful too - like the bright and bold Mickey Mouse curtain from Mickey Unlimited, available at some Wal-Mart and K-Mart stores.
There are more ideas than there are days of Christmas - tools for the fireplace; a set of padded clothes hangers; a smoke alarm; storage boxes for holiday decorations; a gift certificate to a house-cleaning service; a cozy blanket, throw or comforter; bed linens; bath, kitchen or beach towels.
These last items, all soft, are good choices if you suspect that the recipient really wanted five golden rings and might hurl the gift back at you. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Mickey Unlimited's ``Classic Mickey'' shower curtain is $17.
Photo
Action Lane's practical Snuggler is an armchair that converts to a
twin bed and an ottoman that hides a storage chest.
by CNB