Hardware Holiday Helpers

If ever there was a season you could use a helping hand, this is the one.

We’ve found you a few new holiday helpers that can make this season safer, cheaper and easier for you and your family.

Abracadabra!

What’s up with clam shell plastic packaging anyway? The opening of which often results in broken teeth, nails and/or a quick trip to the therapist to recover from the emotional trauma of not being able to open it. Invented by Ebenezer Scrooge perhaps?

(Seriously—the US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that attempts to open difficult-to-penetrate plastic packaging led to 223,260 injuries in 2004. Not such a slice.)
 
We’ve been waiting to tell you about the solution to this problem. The amazing and award-winning Open-X, is now available in Canada! First use the Open X’s retractable blade to pierce the packaging and make a small slit. Then you insert the second slide blade into the opening and push to open quickly and easily. It’s magic. And cuts just about anything else too, quickly and safely. Available at Home Hardware.

Shine a Little Light

Looking to shed some new light on your celebrations? Choose some LED lights from NOMA—they are much more family (and environmentally) friendly. We know they cost a little more, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Using 80–90% less energy than conventional lights, they last up to seven times longer—so you get savings on both fronts.

And about the family friendly — they are made of non-flammable plastic that won’t break when stepped on and they don’t run hot to the touch so little fingers are safer too.

With the new warm and pure whites available this year, the bluish tinge of the original seasonal LED lights has been improved so you can match your other lights more easily—so no more reasons not to save some money and save the environment too.

Available for indoor and outdoor use at Canadian Tire.

Stand Up

Mom-invented by SavvyMom subscriber Sue Eckenswiller (nice work, Sue!), this new (and well-priced) Omega tree stand is a cut above the rest. Its innovative clamping system means no more screws and the handles on the stand mean you (yes, you, mom) can put the tree up all by yourself. See it, believe it. Other features we like: all plastic construction means no rust; wide leg span means very stable; large plastic pot means no leaking, less refilling; collapsible means easy storage too.

Available online for $39.99 (free shipping) or at Home Hardware stores across Canada.

Santa has a whole team of elves at the North Pole. Why shouldn’t you have a little more help too?