Nov 22 2005
The holiday season is a busy time of year. With gatherings to prepare, errands to run, presents to purchase, meals to make, many essentials are easily forgotten ... until needed at the last minute.
The right tools are invaluable when attempting to transform your home into a winter wonderland in short order.
Basic items are indispensable throughout the holidays, whether putting up decorations or assembling new toys. Don't get stuck on the ladder this holiday season without the proper tools to hang the holiday decorations.
Lowe's offers a list of essential tools for the holidays:
- Hammer/Tack Hammer: Necessary for hanging a wreath, garland and lights around the home. The OXO Good Grips(R) 5 oz. Tack Hammer ($9.98), with a magnetic head for single-handed starting and comfortable handle, makes hanging decorations from high spaces easier and safer.
- Hand Saw: To cut the bottom of a tree so it fits in the stand. Also useful to cut excess branches, which can be used as decoration on the mantel or other areas throughout the home. The Stanley FatMax(TM) Hand Saw ($16.97) is ideal for this and other uses.
- Pliers: A must when using wire to put together and decorate fresh greenery wreaths and garland. OXO Good Grips(R) 6-inch Long Nose Pliers ($9.96) have spring-loaded handles, which reduce hand strain.
- Ladder: One of the most used tools for holiday preparation and decorating, from hanging lights on tall trees outside to finishing the holiday tree with the star, a tall, sturdy ladder like the Werner(R) 8-foot Fiberglass Stepladder ($152.00) is a must.
- Glue Gun: For all of those holiday crafts and quick fixes. Use it to be creative and make ornaments for the tree or decorate a greenery wreath. The Arrow Dual Temperature Glue Gun ($10.97) features high/low temperature settings for different materials.
- Gloves: To protect hands when handling live Christmas trees and while hanging lights outside on trees and bushes. Gloves like the Wells Lamont Fleece Lined Jersey Gloves ($5.98) are great for projects during this time of year with warm fleece lining and knit cuffs to keep out the cold.
- Tape Measure: To jot down the dimensions of this year's holiday tree location. For quick and easy measurements, the OXO Good Grips(R) 16-foot Tape Measure ($8.97) allows for controlled tape retraction and has a soft, comfortable grip.
- Staple Gun: For hanging up lights, including those ever-popular icicle lights, on the exterior of the house. A simple staple gun is all that is needed, like the Arrow Heavy-Duty Staple Gun ($19.97), with a jam- proof mechanism.
- Power Strip: To safely plug in numerous strands of holiday lights and decorations both in and outside. For the tree lights, the Woods 15-foot Nine-Outlet Tree Cord ($4.96) safely provides needed outlets.
- Fire Extinguisher: For safety during a time of year full of additional candles, cooking and electrical wiring. Place a Kidde Full Home 110 Fire Extinguisher ($9.98) in a quick-to-reach location near the kitchen, fireplace and holiday tree.
- Ratcheting Screwdriver: The gift list might be complete, but do not forget those gifts that require some assembly. The OXO Good Grips(R) Ratcheting Screwdriver, with Quick Draw(TM) bit carriage ($9.98), is perfect for putting together a new bike, basketball hoop and other toys.
- Tool Kits: To make holiday preparations easier choose a tool kit with all the essential tools stored together. Lowe's exclusively offers two OXO Good Grips(R) tool kits, a six- or nine-piece, complete with items from the first line of hand tools crafted with universal design. These tools make jobs easier with their comfortable grips and are designed for the widest range of users -- young and old, male and female, left- and right-handed, professional contractors and aspiring do-it- yourselfers. (6-piece: $34.98, 9-piece: $49.98)