11 Essential Gifts for the Handy Mom
Pin It!May is the month that we collectively shower our mothers with adoration and gifts of appreciation. For those DIYers and Pinterest queens who, like me, enjoy a hefty power drill as much as a beautiful bouquet of flowers, these are eleven must-haves for her toolbox.
One of the perks of living ten miles from the nation’s capital is that we have easy access to a plethora of job opportunities, educational resources, landmarks and museums, dining, and entertaining activities. One of the greatest downfalls is that housing prices can be astronomical.
When hubby retired in 2016, our budget did not allow us to purchase anything remotely akin to the homes we were accustomed to buying. In fact, the abode we settled for in 2018 is half the size of our previous 4800 sqft. home at nearly three times the price. Such is the sacrifice we made to keep our children in a top-ranked public school district.
Luckily, I dabble in interior design and have devised creative storage solutions and other ways to maximize our tiny spaces. For example, I built a corner banquette to store infrequently used kitchen appliances I had to lug to and from the basement pantry when I needed them. Additionally, the banquette allows us to comfortably seat 6 dinner guests.
With a little ingenuity and eleven essential tools, you can help the mom on your shopping list tackle minor decorating tasks, like organizing a grid gallery wall or major remodeling projects like refinishing an outdated fireplace.
Basic Hand Tools
Hammer
Obviously a dependable hammer is a staple in every household whether you’re a renter or homeowner. You can buy one for around twenty bucks or invest a little more for a tool she’ll own for a lifetime.
Screwdriver
The screwdriver is another tool you’ll want mom to have regardless of her homeownership status. Every hardware store, superstore and even some drug and grocery stores sell screwdrivers. You can find a 4-in-one magnetic interchangeable screwdriver for around five dollars.
Tape Measure
Before any major furniture purchase, mama’s going to need to measure the space to be certain of a neat fit. An auto-lock 35 foot tape measure allows her to mark distances with a 14 foot reach without assistance.
Level
If skewed wall hangings irk your mother, then she definitely wants to own a level. In fact, I suggest you buy her both a 50” and 24” level. The larger level helps maintain balance between projects spanning greater distances. The smaller one will fit in tight spots and corners. If you really want to get fancy, buy her a cross line level for simultaneous vertical and horizontal alignments.
Elemental Tools
Caulk Gun
Caulk elevates everything from the cringe-worthy DIY look to a professionally finished aesthetic. While you can technically use caulk, silicone or liquid nails without a tool, it can get messy.
Electric Stapler & Brad Nail Gun
If the lady you are buying for is looking to try her hand at reupholstery, she must have a staple gun. Artists, who prefer to frame their own canvases, and woodworkers also get lots of use from this tool.
Ratchet Set
Back in the days of mail-order, I bought my first ratchet and socket wrench set. Most of the components have survived over twenty-five years, but I have added to my collection. Today, you can find a decent set, which includes miniature bits and drivers, ratchets, sockets, wrenches and accessories for a few hundred dollars. It is a small price to pay to make easy work of those “assembly required” purchases.
Power Drill
My power drill is the most utilized tool I own. I cannot count the times I have had cause to reach for my drill. With bits for screwing screws, drilling into wood, tile, glass, and even steel, projects are only limited by the imagination. If you opt to gift your favorite momma with a power drill, be sure to buy an extra rechargeable battery. That way she’ll never have to wait for a full charge to finish her tasks.
The Indispensables
Miter Box & Saw
Framing, baseboards and crown moulding are not as intimidating as they may first appear. Miter saws can run a few hundred to thousands of dollars. However, small single-room projects should not require professional equipment. A simple miter box and saw sells for $15 but can be used to transform your room from basic to blam.
Tile Cutter
This is another tool for the brave soul who is okay with tedious cutting tasks and a few imperfections. My son helped me reface our brick fireplace with porcelain tile, and we retiled our kitchen backsplash in an elegant marble. Neither job is perfect, but we have the satisfaction of knowing that we elevated the look and feel of our home by ourselves.
Circular Saw
For the longest time, I shied away from wood projects or had Lowes or Home Depot employees cut the wood to size before my final purchases. Those days are far behind me thanks to my Ryobi circular saw with laser guide. It is simply the best. One day I will upgrade to a table saw, but I am not in a rush.
The saying goes “with the right tools, you can do anything”. That is not entirely true. However, with the right tools, you can encourage the mom on your gift list to try anything.
