2021 Holiday Shopping Guide, Part 1

Find Great Gifts for the Outdoor Enthusiast and Home Handyperson – Right Here in Town!

Tucked in among the nuts and bolts, cans of paint and bags of ice melt, Sanford’s hardware and home stores offer a surprising number of really great gift ideas. And no need to wander the big-box aisles in search of someone to help you. The “little guys” have everything you need for a happy holiday – and they know where it is!

Wilbur G. Shaw Hardware, 901 Main St., has the LitezAll 2000 Lumen Camping Lantern in stock. This great LED lantern has five brightness modes and can run for an amazing 115 hours on low power. Although it’s great for camping, it would also be a nice gift for anyone who wants to be a little more prepared for power outages – or for late-night picnics on the beach. It’s $39.99 and the batteries are included.

For anyone who loves to cook, they have Lodge seasoned cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens in a range of sizes and prices. Lodge Cast Iron has been making heirloom-quality cookware in the USA since 1896.

Want to give something a little less practical? Shaw’s also has a lovely line of Sunset Vista windchimes to bring some sweet music to your porch or patio.


At Springvale Hardware, 489 Main St., we found a full line of Leatherman multitools starting at just $37.49. They also have jackknives, Swiss Army knives and high-quality hunting knives in stock.

For the handyperson in your life, they offer several tool kits. A 142-piece socket set by DeWalt is priced at $162.69 and is warranteed for life. They also have Shop Vacs, solar yard lights, fire extinguishers and much, much more.

Springvale Hardware also has a big selection of small appliances and kitchenware. With the 36-quart King Kooker stainless steel pot and basket, give the gift of great summer entertainment. It’s perfect for lobsters, clams, shrimp and even a turkey.

Surprise Mom or Dad with a really good-quality snow scraper and brush to keep their car clean all winter long. The $27.99 SnowJoe extends up to 52” in length for hard-to-reach spots. They also have 18” wide snow rakes (the kind the car dealers use) for $36.99.

Does your loved one enjoy home decorating? They’ve got you covered there as well, with some charming pieces to brighten up any space. Want to show the kids they don’t need electronics to have fun? They have hula hoops!


At Aubuchon Hardware, 640 Main St., we found an absolutely amazing variety of bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders in all sizes (including one with suction cups to attach to a window), seed feeders in hanging and platform styles, suet feeders and seed/suet combo models. There’s a cute corn-cob holder squirrel feeder, in the shape of a tractor, for just $4.99. They also stock wooden bat houses that can shelter up to 75 bats.

Want an awesome gift the whole family can enjoy? They have stainless-steel low-smoke fire pits by Solo Stove in three different sizes, plus all the tools and accessories to go with them.

Got an ice fisherman on your list? Aubuchon has a nice selection of ice fishing rods and reels. The Pro-Thermal Tip-Up by Frabill is priced at $49.99. There are plenty of jigs, lures and other stocking stuffers in that section too.

Their sporting goods section includes footballs, basketballs, badminton and croquet sets, and much more. They’ve got snow tubes and sleds, too!

Don’t forget a pair of Carhartt insulated work gloves for Dad, just $26.99. They have lots of other gloves too, for winter sports, gardening and other outdoor activities.


Speaking of gardening, at New England Hydroponics, 1247 Main St. (Marden’s Plaza), you can find everything for that person on your list with a green thumb. The Sunblaster Growlight Gardens are LED-powered tabletop gardens that can grow microgreens or herbs for the kitchen or houseplants for the office or living room. Fill it up and it waters itself for up to 14 days! The larger size kit is $199.95 and the smaller size is $99.95.

The Root Spa 5-gallon bucket system by ActiveAqua Hydroculture is a great way to introduce someone to the wonders of hydroponic gardening. It comes with air hose and pump, which oxygenates the water for rapid root growth. It’s easy to check the water level and is priced at just $53.95. Great for tomatoes!

You can also make up a gift bag from their wide selection of small growing tools and accessories, and package it all in a 1-gallon Root Pouch grow bag. What better gift is there in the deep, dark winter, than the promise of spring?

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