Looking for ideas for the best gifts for handy moms (or friends)? If you know a handy woman who loves to spend her spare time on DIY home improvement projects, I know a few gifts she might enjoy. Here are the best handy gifts for mom (or dad).
Does it matter what we give mom?
Honestly, if you have a healthy relationship with your mom, it doesn’t matter what you give her. She just wants to know you’ve taken a moment to think about her. And have set aside time to be with her.
It’s funny that when our kids are little, it seems like every day is spent wondering: “When am I going to be alone again?” And then, when they grow into teenagers and young adults, our tune changes to: “When am I going to get to spend time with you again?”
So before you fret about what to give a DIY mom for her birthday or Mother’s Day or any other special occasion, know that she’s tickled that you are even trying to do something nice. (And most of us moms are tearing up about it, too.)
In fact, a recent survey of Americans revealed that moms are excited about a gift regardless of the price.
Best gifts for handy mom
Handy moms who own a tool belt and a suite of power tools are a little different than other moms. Sure, many of us love fashion and sweet treats, and a glass of Champagne is always welcome. A handmade card or a short story is a nice treat, too.
However, most experienced DIYers are particular about their power tools, tool belts, and hand tools. I wouldn’t but a carpenter a hammer or a miter saw, even my carpenter-husband whom I’ve know for 20 years. While I know which ones he uses and loves, I wouldn’t dare take a chance to buy a handy person a major tool.
It’s like buying a car collector a vehicle or a wine sommelier a bottle of wine from the shop down the street. The reason why they are an expert in their field also makes them extremely picky.
Still, clever little tool helpers can often be a smart idea. Here are a few of my current favorite tool helpers:
Small tape measure
Love a small tape measure that I can add to my key chain or drop inside a handbag because the life of a mom unfolds in an unexpected way. We need to be prepared when we see home ideas that catch our eye or when there’s time to run into Lowe’s for a little something we’ve been meaning to pick up.
Paint comb
Many of us home improvement moms have a painting project underway or about to begin. It seems that once we finish painting one room, the next one needs a fresh coat. The idea of storing wet paint brushes in the refrigerator just kicks the inevitable down the road.
Professional painters clean their brushes throughout the day, because paint dries on the brush and clumps up. The little dried clumps can ruin a paint finish. A paint comb can made it easier to clean a paint brush, and the curved side helps squeeze the paint from a paint roller.
Paint brush set
Let’s just start by saying I do have a favorite paint brush for cutting in, for applying paint to trim, and for general use. However, I’m always game for trying out a new paint brush, especially a high-quality brush. Recently, I was given a set of Zibra brushes, and I’m admittedly smitten by the palm brush and the triangle brush. Paint brushes are as personal as toothbrushes or hair brushes, so this set might not be right for every mom. But, I’d recommend trying them to find out.
Multifunction scissors
Tough scissors make life easier. These Fiskars titanium and stainless steel scissors can cut plastic, cardboard, wire, fabric, and more. The sheath keeps the blade protected, which is helpful in a catch-all kitchen drawer. If your mom has a favorite pair of scissors, consider getting them (and her table saw blade) sharpened as a gift. That’s another winner among the best gifts for handy moms (and dads).
Wheelbarrow
For DIYers who garden and haul stuff around the house and yard, a wheelbarrow can be a handy helper and a top pick among the best gifts for handy moms. We started using the Worx Aerocart wheelbarrow a few years ago, and we haven’t gone back to a traditional wheelbarrow. It’s easy to maneuver and the tires are tough.
Chain mail pan scrubber
Ok, so this gift teeters on the edge of giving mom a clothes iron or toilet seat (and I’m not exaggerating here. My dad’s gifts to my mom were less than romantic). However, the chain mail cast iron pan scrubber is a helpful item. It really does take less time to clean stuck-on grime with chain mail. Well, maybe this isn’t the main gift for mom on a very special day, but it still ranks high among the best gifts for handy folks.
Dremel kit
For new home improvement moms (or dads), a Dremel kit can be a welcome sight. The world of possibilities opens when trying out all of the accessories. It’s an awesome helper when making little woodworking projects or tackling detailed work.
Heated vest or jacket
Home improvement doesn’t stop when it’s cold outside. A heated vest has been my saving grace when it comes to working on home projects during the winter months. I’ve had a few different heated vests and accessories over the years, and my favorite vest has been the Akaso because it heats my neck and has a detachable hood.
For a heated jacket, the Venustas jacket in red has served me well as a DIYer and as a mom sitting outside watching her kid at a sports event. Trust me, it’s worth the investment if she spends a lot of time outside and gets cold easily. It ranks high as one of my absolute best gifts for handy people.
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