From Totally Cool Toys, this metal toy construction set Intelligent Truck front-loader-type tractor has (186) pieces and comes with a tiny screwdriver and wrench. Your assembled model, with big plastic tires, a front jaw-scoop, operator’s seat and steering wheel, will be about approx 5-3/8" tall and 8-3/4" long. Instructions included. For ages 8+.

Stay safe and find stuff in the dark by sticking this high-intensity reflective tape on bikes, bumpers, mailboxes, ramps, barricades, whatever. Red with gray, measures 2” wide and you get a 3-foot roll. US-DOT approved.

Doing a lot of outdoor tape work in the Pacific Northwest or London? Get thee a roll of this waterproof black flexible tape at 2-7/8" wide. Comes 15 feet to a roll, and come to think of it, you better get thee more than a single roll, because you’ll never not need this, no matter where you live. In case you forgot, it rains everywhere, not just in Seattle and Portland. And if you live in Atlantis, remember that this amazing tape also seals underwater. Made in the USA (like Seattle and Portland).

Our smallest leather-type-person multitool is made to hang on your keychain, and we know that because it has a 1-1/4” carabiner attached to it. Measures approx 3” long x 1” x 1/2” when closed, and opens to a spring-loaded needle-ish nose pliers with wire cutter, wire stripper, knife, file, (2) slotted drivers, #0 Phillips, serrated blade/saw, nail cleaner, bottle opener and the ever-popular awl. It’ll do most of the jobs you need done. The lightweight, stainless-steel construction means it won't drag down your pack or belt. A must-have for any scout or handy-person.

Special for bottlesquashers. This collapsible cup collection brings together your two favorite hydration intake problems for people on the go. Your cup of morning Joe and exercising on the go. Both are non-toxic silicone bottles. (In assorted colors) The water bottle starts out like a little squat barrel approx 5-1/2” x 2-3/4” dia, but pull up on the top and it rises to a full 9” tall. Flip cap has a screw-down lock, and there’s a carabiner near the neck to hang it from. Holds approx 17 oz. Our squishable silicone coffee cup looks like the takeaway cups you get at coffee shops, complete with the slide-up cuff that keeps your fingers from burning or freezing. Holds 10 oz and stands 5” tall x 3-1/4” dia at the top. Push on its head and watch it sink to just half its size. Must have for people on the move.

Can’t get to the gym? Need something to take your frustrations out on? Herewith, the desktop suction-cup speed bag. Measures 6-1/2" dia on a 5-1/2" spring with a 7" suction cup on the other end. Comes with an air pump to inflate it. Works fine and takes a licking on a desktop, and might just hang on from a tile ceiling in a shower--for added fight-gym verisimilitude--but we don’t have an office shower to test it on.

New category of figurines: zombie gnome. It was bound to happen, with all those dating apps out there. Ours is made of nicely detailed polyresin, approx 7-1/2” tall, even with its neck bent to the side, on a 4-1/4” wide base painted to look like blood-stained grass. Sickly green skin, a classic red gnome hat and a bit of exposed brain contribute to its authenticity. The felt-coated bottom lets you stand it on your finest furniture, but you can also park it in your garden, or on your front stoop.

Let us pick an animal head on a 17" long stick for your comedic puppetry needs, because heads on sticks are always amusing unless you’re Oliver Cromwell or Sansa’s dad. These sticks have triggers to flap the traps of the beasties while you read their lines from behind the curtain or couch. You might get a beluga whale head, an emperor penguin, or some other type of amusing critter, and we’ll send you at least two different kinds.

Each of the (6) diamond-coated carbon-steel bits in this set has a 1/8” shank for use in rotary tools. All of them are 1-3/4” long and include: a ball, cylinder, two sizes of cones, a spindle, and a point.

Serious clamping made easy. This 9-1/2" long steel spring clamp has 1-3/8" x 1-3/4" swiveling jaw pads. Opens to 3” and has padded handles. Spring strength is substantial; could double as a grip exerciser.

Sometimes you need to screw around corners, and we feel your pain. Try this flexible extension shaft for your drill or driver. Accepts 1/4” bits. Measures 9” long over all with a flexible portion that’s 4-1/2” long and will bend 180 degrees.

Sleep a little easier on this aqua-colored, nylon inflatable pad. Perfect for camping or sliding into your sleeping bag. Measures 73” x 22” x 2-1/2” when inflated, and has a 3/4” ID one-way valve. Folds down into the included 8” x 4” pouch, and comes with a vinyl repair patch, not that you’ll need it.

Trying to find a duct tape that matches what you’re repairing is a fruitless task (and duct-taping fruit is even less rewarding), so it’s probably best to forget color and just use transparent tape. This clear vinyl repair tape is 1-7/8” wide on a 60-foot roll with a 3” core. Labeled indoor/outdoor and all-weather. You’ll always be happy you have this strong, versatile tape on hand--we promise.

Santa and Tiny Tim? No. Rudolph, maybe? Not a chance. These are the delightful characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas, 2-1/2” tall hard rubber figures including Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, Mayor, Oogie Boogie, Lock, Shock, Barrel, Scary Teddy and more. They’re all on 1” chains with a split ring, and we’ll pick (1) for you because then opening the package will be more like Christmas morning (but still the nightmare before). No one knows what you’ll get in this blind pack because the surplus gods will be choosing, not us.

These in-line battery holders, from we know not where, have a pair of Duracell® AAAs with 1-1/2” leads and a 4mm polarized Molex connector. The positive lead is soldered to (1) battery, not the holder (but easily removable to use the batteries alone), and the whole shebang measures 3-3/4” long x 1/2” square. You’ll get (3) shebangs, all of ’em made in USA.

We had some great games back when TV was black-and-white, but now that it’s in color the venerable Pressman® toy company has updated those games in their Then & Now series. In one set you’ll get (30) wooden Pick-Up Sticks and (30) of the more modern plastic, bent Squiggle Sticks™, all in assorted colors. In the other set you’ll get (20) plastic, assorted-color Tiddly Winks at 7/8" dia and 5/8" dia, and (4) pieces of launching felt; and (20) glittery winks, which are part of the Cat-A-Winks™ game, in which you launch winks using the (4) included catapults instead of your fingers. All winks fly into a 2-3/8” dia bowl, included. Ages 6+.

Orienteering fans will appreciate these compasses because no one likes being lost and helpless. You pick: the map compass has a mirrored sight, inclinometer with adjustable declination, graduated bezel, 3” x 1/8” and 9cm x 1mm rulers, 1:25000 and 1:50000 map scales, a 2X magnifying window, (3) stencils and a lanyard cord, all in a 4-1/4” x 2-3/8” x 11/16” package; or the 2" dia lensatic compass with adjustable bezel, sighting hairline, adjustable marching line, luminous cardinal points, scales in 0-360 x 5 degrees, 0-64 x 0.2 mil-radians, and a belt clip.

Gray is for grown-ups. This duct tape is made for the young at heart. You’ll get (30) feet of 1-7/8” wide duct tape on a 3” core. You pick: from the incredible collection of fun colors and designs. Instructions for making wallets, purses and more not included.

With a taste for tarpaulins. These thick plastic tarp clips are the best we’ve seen, tooth-gripping-wise. Measure 2-1/2” long x 1” wide with 1/2” ID eye-hook, and have toothed 7/32” jaws that grab on as tight as an angry toddler via an adjustable locking clutch. Unlike a toddler, though, these have an easy, push-button release, and they won’t tear a hole in your tarp.

This whopping 110-yard roll of double-sided tape is 1-1/4" wide and nearly clear, like a lot of our thoughts on good days. Made in Germany, and we’re not sure if they need tape with sticky on both sides over there, but we always find uses for it here. As you do, too, we’re sure. You know--for signs, carpet, pictures, art projects, stuff like that.

Safety Glasses-R-Us. Behold our cornucopia of safety glasses, all in variations on the classic aviator style with added side shields. Measure approx 5-1/4” to 5-3/4” across with polycarbonate lenses. You pick the black metal frames with dark lenses and shields meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards or the brown plastic frames with dark lenses and shields.

Because nothing says high fashion like flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers. And we’ve got a whole dang wardrobe of the stuff in white, because it never goes out of style. All made by DuPont. You pick: the medium shirt, 32” long with a collar and front buttons; the large lab coat, 40” long with a collar, left-side breast pocket, lower right-side pocket and snaps; the XL lab coat, 42” long with collar, left-side breast pocket, lower right-side pocket and snaps; the size small, medium, large and extra-large pants, all with very elastic waists; and large coveralls, 62” from neck to attached boots, with elastic cuffs and hood, and zippered from neck to crotch.

This solar-cell, sonic Rodent Repeller™ has a 2-1/2" dia x 15/16" head with a solar cell that charges a "AAA" battery. Emits a 400Hz square wave that the manufacturer claims will vex gophers, moles, shrews and voles, which are similar to field mice in this country. The whole shebang is mounted to a 9" plastic stake which, when pounded into the lawn, is water- and lawnmower-proof with a sealed main power switch.

You don’t, huh? They’re called acid brushes because once upon a plumber they were used to apply acid flux to pipes for soldering. Now they’re just the cheap, disposable brushes with hollow aluminum handles you see in glue pots and everywhere else folks need to slather on goopy stuff. Measure 6" long with 5/8” wide bristles.

If you feel your furniture would feel better with little felt feet, we feel that way too. Save your floors and tabletops with this selection of self-adhesive circular felt pads. Each package has (8) pads at 3/8" dia and (8) at 1" dia, and you'll get (2) packs.

But here’s a nightlight for your driveway or backyard anyway! By iZoom®, and direct from the late-night infomercials, this solar-powered light has (8) white COB LEDs across its face and a rechargeable lithium battery inside. It’s motion and light-sensitive, and shines brighter when it senses motion . Measures 4-1/2" x 3-3/8" x 1-3/4" and comes with a self-adhesive pad on the back, plus screws and mollies. You supply the darkness. Sells for $12.95 at a popular home retailer.

And this one will grab back. Our each is a pack of (6) shiny nickel-plated neodymium magnets that each measure 1/2” dia x 1/8” thick, and have a 2-lb pull.

The Ginsu version of scissors, with Swiss Army versatility. In case you get thirsty while you’re cutting things up, these Westcott titanium scissors have a bottle-opener on the bottom of one blade. They also have a retractable ceramic cutter on one handle. With a safety lock. And a plastic blade guard. Plus, the serrated blades are detachable. Makes other scissors feel bad just looking at them.

Pre-roasted and inflatable. Lets you serve pizza or General Tso's chicken on holidays without sacrificing a lovely traditional table presentation. Measures 16" x 8" when blown up, which is from the neck end so you won't be embarrassed doing it. Bonus: it's from our Stuff To Stick In The Refrigerator series, so you'll be ready with a quick practical joke at a moments notice.

Or garage, or hallway--anywhere that’s wireless in the bad sense. CJ calls this “another retina scorcher” from iZoom® because of the brightness of the COB lights. Fixture measures 3" x 4" x 13/16" in white plastic with a big rocker switch that activates the 1” white COB LED in its center. Powered by (4) “AAA”s, included. Mounts via self-adhesive hook-and-loop pads or the pair of little disc magnets on the back.

It's anybody's guess where these military-style rubberized, nylon medics' shoulder bags came from but they'd be handy for anyone with campers, or just stuff to put in a bag. Measure 8-1/2" long x 5" tall x 4-1/2" with a medic cross on the side and a hook-and-loop closure plus a toggle fastener. Shoulder strap extends from 38" to 59". Some look to have had a strap removed--this is new old stock--and all of them would be happy as fanny packs.

Like the one the monkeys used to hold for organ grinders? No--a much handier thing, and no monkey business involved. This collapsible tumbler starts life as 1-1/4” tall x 3-5/8” dia disc, sort of hockey puck-ish, but pull (or push) the bottom (or top) and it expands accordionishly to a 5” tall, 14-oz translucent plastic tumbler. And, as is so often the case, microwaves and dishwashers are not its friend.

How do you clean your loose precious gems? The professionals use this two-piece brass mesh cleaning basket. Unscrew the halves, pop your stones inside, put it back together and soak it in your cleaning solution. Measures 23mm (0.90") and would also do for very small machine parts. You can probably think of even more clever uses. Please let us know if you do.

An exhausted physicist. Also this 3-1/4" dia camping lantern. Stands 5” tall with fold-down handles, but pull up those handles and reveal the super-bright, a whopping 600 lumen COB LED light inside. Turns on when you open it, and has a small compass on top so you can see where you’re going. Measures approx 7” open and will shine for approx (6) hours with a trio of “AA” batteries, which are included. In utilitarian gray ABS plastic.

This carved and painted trio of wooden ducks came in from Indonesia (and boy, are their arms tired). Measure 9”, 7” and 5-3/4” long, respectively, and they’re made to sit on a mantel or shelf with their necks extended out and down, overhanging the edge, so they stare at you, as ducks will. You can even put them in a row if you want.

Look around and see if you have a giant universal remote control that smells like chocolate. No? Guess what. Ours is over 9" x 4-1/2" x 3/4" thick, which is hard to lose in the couch cushions, and it looks and smells like a big ol' chocolate candy bar. Can be programmed (via 3/4" square buttons) to control a TV, VCR, DVD player, DVR, cable box, satellite dish, audio equipment (from hundreds of manufacturers) and streetlights. (OK, we lied about the streetlights, but still.) You add (2) "AA" batteries while ignoring the "AAA" printed on the package.

Just ax yourself if you really need a big hatchet when this excellent, and extremely cute, stainless steel mini hand ax is available. Blade is 4-1/2” wide on a 5” molded handle, so the whole shebang is just 9” long. Comes with a canvas sheath with a belt loop for easy carrying.

Our robotic kingii dragon (Chlamydosaurus kingii, or frilled-neck lizard) is better than a puppy because you don't have clean up after it and it won't chew the furniture. This STEM education kit has (2) motors and digital control via IR sensors to activate LED eyes, motorized mouth and pop-out neck frill, plus "Escape" and "Chase" modes, which make it retreat and follow you using IR sensors, respectively. You'll need (4) "AAA" batteries and some patience, as this kit is delightfully challenging. Finished dragon will be 13-1/2" long x 8-1/4" x 5". For ages 10+. Check out our short video on Youtube!

Indoor gardeners, let there be light! From Utilitech, this slick-looking T8 (1” dia) fluorescent plant grow light is made for under-cabinet mounting, just in case your “plants” happen to be under cabinets. Why did we put “plants” in quotes? Oh, no reason. This 15-watt, white light measures 22” long with a curved acrylic diffuser, and includes a 5-foot cord, on/off switch, and mounting screws for that cabinet. Perfect for growing veggies indoors as the wavelengths the light put out are absorbed by plants and help growth.

If Nikola Tesla were alive he'd be sporting this lovely chocolate brown and sepia T-shirt, especially because it glows in the dark. (Just like he probably did.) Below his GITD name is his face and below that are photos and patent sketches of his major inventions. 100% cotton. You pick the size.