(ARA) – If you’re gift-shopping for a do-it-yourselfer this holiday season – whether a seasoned pro, or someone learning to become handy around the house – tools are always appreciated gifts. Practical, yet fun, there are a number of tools every guy or gal should have in their toolbox to make home improvement or hobby projects a success. Plus, there are a few hot items that every tool fan is lusting over this year.

“My No. 1 piece of advice before starting any project is to make sure you have the right tools,” says Brian Benes, Dremel product manager. “You’ll get better results and the project will be much more enjoyable. You never know when a project could pop up, so a well-stocked toolbox is a tremendous asset.”

Visit your local hardware store or home improvement center to scoop up these holiday must-haves:

* A basic hammer and a set of screwdrivers in various sizes. From hanging pictures, to fixing a loose table leg, these tools are always in demand. Be sure to include an assortment of nails and screws to complete the package.

* Various sizes and types of clamps. You can never find enough uses for them, and frequently need to use multiple clamps at once.

* An oscillating tool designed for DIY use. Oscillating tools are hot this holiday season and a great asset for repair, remodel and restoration work. From making cuts in awkward places to removing bathroom grout or tub caulking, they are a versatile and convenient tool to have on hand. Pick one that offers a high level of performance without the professional price tag, such as the Dremel Multi-Max – either corded or cordless.

* A compact, cordless drill. A handy tool for driving screws or making holes – 14V or 18V is great for the average homeowner.

* A pair of lineman’s pliers. Equipped with a gripping joint, cutting edge and insulated handle grips, they can be used for gripping small objects or to cut and bend wire and cable. They come in particularly handy for working with electrical cables, as the insulated handles reduce the risk of shock.

* A torpedo level. An essential tool if you don’t want your new books falling off your new bookshelf. Torpedo levels often contain more than one liquid vial for checking more than one angle at a given time.

* A set of pencils. While it sounds mundane, pencils come in handy for nearly every project, whether cutting a straight line, tracing a circle, or marking where a nail will be inserted into a wall. Pencils make a great stocking-stuffer, and can even be customized with the recipient’s name.

* A rotary tool. Rotary tool recipients will continue to be amazed at the amount of tasks this compact, multi-purpose tool can tackle, including carving, routing, engraving, grinding, sharpening, cutting, cleaning, polishing and sanding. The Dremel brand invented the rotary tool more than 75 years ago, and still offers the biggest tool and accessory selection.

* A quality tape measure. From home improvement projects to body measurements, there are limitless uses for a tape measure.

For more holiday gift ideas for the DIY guy or gal, including hot new “must-haves,” visit www.dremel.com.