A handy, candy tool for the tree

There's nothing like the sight and scent of a real Christmas tree — until its pokey needles stick you right in the eyeballs and eardrums while you're watering it, that is.

So maybe you don't want to wait for Santa to nab this new, pain-free watering contraption.

It's the HandyCane, a 42-inch-long, plastic, red-and-white striped wonder.

It separates into two pieces — the curved hook and the hollow tube. Just detach the hook and fill it with water (about 1 quart), set the tube on the top edge of the tree stand, and pour the hook water into the tube.

You can also use it as a decoration, but we wouldn't advise licking it in search of peppermint goodness.

Sandy Dunham, Seattle Times desk editor