Consumer reporter Lynda Steele put two Christmas gadgets to the test in her latest “As Seen on TV” product testing segment.
Holiday Light Saver
The Holiday Light Saver promises to put an end to the annual hassle of untangling Christmas lights.
You stick one end of the light string into the kit which encases the lights in a reusable plastic sleeve that prevents them from tangling with other strands. It can also be used to protect garland and icicle lights.
When you’re ready to re-use the lights it claims you can easily slide them back out of the sleeve. But Steele found it wasn’t quite as easy as was advertised.
The device retails for $19.99 plus shipping and can be ordered online on the As Seen on TV website or London Drugs. We give the Holiday Light Saver a 2.5 stars out of 5.
Treemote
The Treemote was dreamed up by a Victoria inventor who wanted to make the holidays easier for his wife.
"I was looking across my house, and I see my wife struggling under the Christmas tree trying to plug it in, so I'm thinking, there has to be a better way to do this," said Martin Schenk, Treemote inventor.
The wireless Treemote device works with radio frequencies, sending the outlet messages to turn on or off your Christmas tree without even bending over.
The device is available in nearly 200 B.C. stores and can also be ordered online. It retails for $19.99 and it's already proving to be a holiday hit.
"It's been overwhelming. Everybody we talk to says they need one, and they need one for their mom and sister too," said Schenk.
We give the Treemote a five stars out of five.
