They gift-wrap candles. They gift-wrap decor. They gift-wrap gazing balls, power tools, and much, much more.
So what doesn’t McDaniel’s Do It Center in Snohomish gift-wrap? Well, wrapping a 32-foot extension ladder might prove tricky. But they’ll give it a try.
According to owner Brad McDaniel, “We have free gift-wrapping every day.” This complimentary service is just one of the store’s customer-friendly features.
Sharon Swoboda, garden manager, said that service stands at the forefront of the store’s success.
“Our service is unbelievable,” she said. “I have customers, especially guys, during the last week of holiday shopping who come in panicked. Often, I just do their shopping for them.”
Recently Swoboda helped a trio choose a unique gift for a loved one.
“I helped a family – a dad, his son and grandson – choose a birthday gift for the mother. It was my fourth year helping them choose a gift.”
The gentlemen’s tradition of gift shopping at McDaniel’s proved successful. They went home with a fun frog statue chosen by the little boy.
Gift options from McDaniel’s garden department are abundant.
“Our number-one selling gift is some sort of statuary,” Swoboda said.
Other popular items include fountains, concrete benches, gargoyles and arbors.
Tucked against a far wall in the garden department, a grouping of Haitian wall sculptures makes a prominent statement.
“They are hand-punched with a hammer and an awl from recycled oil drums,” Swoboda said. “You can see them at high-end gift stores, and we have them for a great price.”
Of course, a hardware store just wouldn’t be a hardware store without tools.
“We’re huge into power tools,” McDaniel said. “We’ve also gotten into reconditioned tools so you can save a lot of money.”
In recent months, McDaniel has added a new feature to his power-tool department.
“We’re now selling DeWalt tools in bulk or loose.” A table filled with DeWalt batteries, chargers and tool components provides contractors, as well as other customers, a chance to purchase only the parts they need, without the packaging and without the higher price.
McDaniel’s also carries the trendy tools for its holiday shoppers, such as the Stanley MaxLife Tripod Flashlight. It has 200-plus hours of continuous run time with the holiday price tag of $17.97.
“Last year we had a huge display ready for Christmas, but during the power outages we sold out.”
This year, the store has plenty for power outages and stocking stuffers.
And speaking of power outages, cooking dinner sans electricity is a snap with a gas grill.
“The 2008 Webbers have just arrived, so we have a fantastic line of gas grills,” McDaniel said. “Since nobody likes to put them together, we offer free assembly.”
The latest generation of grills has updated accessories including rotisseries, easy-to-clean drip pans, LED lights and warming trays.
“We’ve got all the hot colors, such as green, black, blue, bronze, copper and stainless steel,” McDaniel said.
Pellet barbecues are also a hot item. “They have been very popular in the past few years,” McDaniel said. “The people who have them swear by them.”
Using flavored wood pellets, these barbecues produce convection-like results and tremendous flavor versatility.
“When you get the hang of using the pellets, you can make your own mix to create your own flavors,” McDaniel said.
Pellets in hickory, apple, maple, alder or grapevine will make your barbecued holiday meals a tasty new holiday tradition.
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