Home renovation projects can range from easy one-hour tasks to months of hard, back-breaking work. One common element is the need to have an assistant for some or most of the tasks. Whoever you select can really make or break the experience. Neither of you will be at your best, especially when things go wrong. It certainly takes a special dynamic to team up with someone when you know your vocabulary is going to get a workout when your brand-new sink faucet cracks after you tighten that screw.

Eventually, though, the project will be completed. The relief and feelings of accomplishment are well deserved and now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Your assistant, who by now is your best friend, should also share in the joys of the completed project. Since you probably won’t be inviting him to move in with you, perhaps give him a gift.

Best gifts to give those who helped you with a home renovation project.

Tools would seem to be a logical choice. But wait! You just finished a project and if you buy more tools your friend might ask you to join his new project. If you don’t feel like spending your weekends working for a while, then tools might be something to pass on.

How about some beer? Traditional and often expected, you probably already purchased several cases during last few weeks4. It’s the end of the project, perhaps something fancier or different might be in order.

Gift certificates are a great way to reward people. So maybe a gift certificate to a fancy restaurant or hotel or even a sports store. Your friend’s wife is probably looking forward to having him home for a while so a weekend at a lodge might be fun for them. Then again, this could turn into an expensive gift, and you have already spent an arm and a leg on your renovation.

Cigars as gifts, good idea or not?

There is one gift that is both special and unique. Your friend may have never received anything like it before. How about buying him a nice, quality cigar? Unlike any of the other gifts this one really does say “Thank-you” without breaking your wallet. But is it a good idea?

There are a lot of cigars on the market, and they range from mild to very robust in their flavor. If your friend already smokes the occasional cigar, he may have his favorite brand or a wish list of brands he is hoping to try some day. In this case it should be easy to pick out which one to give as a gift.

Tips for first-time cigar smokers

If your friend is new to the world of cigars, then you have some work on your hands. But don’t worry, there are people available to help. Florida Tobacco Shop has many resources to help you shop, including a blog, accessories, and a comprehensive catalog.

When looking for that perfect cigar, keep in mind the robustness of the flavor, the length of burn and the price range. There are also certain brands that may have a reputation in the cigar community. Don’t forget to also purchase a sharp single-blade cutter in order cut off the cap of the cigar.

After slicing the cap off the cigar should be “primed” over a flame until it turns color – usually a shade of orange. At this point start puffing to pull in air. Hold the smoke in your mouth and exhale. Be careful not to inhale the smoke. Be sure to rotate the cigar occasionally to help it burn evenly. If you don’t want to smoke the whole cigar you can just set it down on the ashtray and it will extinguish itself shortly. You can then put it away for another day.

A gift of a cigar is a unique and welcome way to thank your friend for being there to help during your renovation project. It can be a higher-class cigar that he has always wanted or an introduction to an age-old smoking culture. Either way it will be a gift to remember.