All I Want for Christmas Are Home Improvement Gadgets

All I Want for Christmas Are Home Improvement Gadgets.

I’m not sure if you want to hear this, but the countdown to Christmas is on. That’s right—45 days and counting. Take a moment, catch your breath, and get ready to dive in.

Figuring out ideas for the home improvement gurus on your list shouldn’t be too difficult, right? After all, you’re probably a home improvement guru of sorts yourself or you wouldn’t be here. Start thinking through your own wish list and coming up with something your loved ones will enjoy should be a snap.

For those on a budget—which is most people during this roller-coaster economy—focus your attention on the wide, wide world of home improvement gadgets to get the most bang for your buck. Who doesn’t love gadgets, especially gadgets you’ll actually use.

Check out a few of the home improvement gadgets on my personal wish list this year:

1) BullsEye Auto-Leveling Laser and Stud Sensor from Black & Decker

Why didn’t I come up with this great home improvement idea? No more eyeing the picture frames to get them straight. For about $60, this cool gadget projects a level laser line that keeps everything straight, plus helps you locate studs and live a/c wiring.

2) Wonder Winder Hand Crank Extension Cord Winder from Green Leaf

When I discovered this $30 home improvement gadget, I immediately thought about all the times I’ve gotten frustrated trying to straighten out an unwieldy extension cord. The Wonder Winder—love the name, by the way—can save us those headaches, helping extend only the amount of cord needed, then rewinding and storing the cord beautifully until next time.

3) Complete Home Repair: With 350 Projects and 2300 Photos from Black & Decker

I wish I’d had this incredibly detailed home repair book about 10 years ago when my husband and I bought our first house. For less than $20, I can almost guarantee you that this book would have saved us hundreds, maybe even thousands, of dollars in mistakes and unnecessary service calls. Crossing my fingers that Santa brings this one!

4) Tikkina 2 LED Headlamp from Petzl

I always love the ability to combine my inner home improvement geek with my girly side. A headlamp isn’t exclusively a home improvement gadget—in fact you’ll find it for $20 largely at camping and outdoor supply stores—but it sure would come handy when I need some extra light and my hands or full. And for the girly girl in me—this one comes in French Rose!

5) Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Special Edition Knife by Swiss Army

Speaking of girly, what could be more “home improvement meets feminine” than a pink Swiss Army knife? I’m ashamed to say I’ve never owned one, but I’d be proud to own this special edition version designed to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. A new multi-purpose gadget, plus money toward breast cancer research, would be $17.50 well spent if you ask me.