Last-minute gift ideas from a home-improvement expert | Irvine Real Estate – Irvine Homes for Sale

by Robert Mack on December 22, 2010

Like a lot of men, I often wait until the last minute to do my Christmas shopping.

Is it because I want to avoid all the traffic and the crowds at the mall?

Sure, because unlike the home stores where I know where everything is and what everything is for, when I walk into a department store I feel lost.

This year, I have assembled a few ideas for guys like me. Some are available locally and others are online. With overnight shipping, these presents should arrive in time for you to try your luck at gift-wrapping.

1. An unexpected surprise gift would be a towel warmer to pamper your loved one on those cold winter days ahead. Warmly Yours (http://www.warmlyyours.com) offers several styles of towel warmers — either permanently wired or plug-in models — to fit any style bathroom. Prices start at $129.

2. How about a digital high-definition version of the common peephole to see who’s knocking on the door? Attach the Peephole Viewer from Brinno Inc. and it converts a door’s tiny peephole to a 2 ½ inch LCD display with a panoramic view of the area outside the door. This can be a great gift of security and privacy for the elderly or for those with physical hardships. It’s available at www.brinno.com/. The suggested retail price is $99.99.

3. For your fix-it person, GearWrench from Apex Tool Group sells a five-piece X-Beam Ratcheting Wrench set for $24.99 and a two-piece QuadBox Double Box Ratcheting Set for $19.99, available at NAPA stores nationwide. When working in tight places, a slipped open-end wrench can lead to cut knuckles. A box wrench is less likely to come loose and because it’s a ratcheting wrench, you don’t have to move it to and from the worksite.

4. Energizer’s handy, pocket-size Hard Case Pro 2 flashlight will brighten any Christmas morning. This stocking stuffer retails for less than $15. I keep one in my toolbox and one in each vehicle for emergencies. It’s available at major hardware and home stores nationwide. Details can be found at:www.energizer.com/products/flashlights/worklights/Pages/battery-operated-lantern.aspx.