Engineering the Holidays

Does the prospect of taking the starter motor off the car, greasing its important little places, and putting it back on count?

Of course it does, without it, how would Santa get around?

First, you would have to convert horsepower to deerpower

Nothing specific, except that since we have small children living with us, there will be many times when I read those dreaded words, "some assembly required" and, "so easy, even a child can do it".

Does anyone still put a train around the base of their Christmas tree these days?

I did it for years, but think it got lost in the move, so not anymore.

I cannot even put the tree up early least my inquisitive cats decide it looks better on its side

Patio path construction and general landscaping spring to mind.

Just recently found out that the motor powering a $200 baby swing (brand name withheld) is the same as in a $5 automatic air freshener.

Hmmmmm sacrifice an air freshener to save the baby swing...

My mother-in-law always wanted me to find the burnt out bulb in a string of lights. I told her I'd be happy to do so at $150/hour.

She learned to buy a new string of lights (50 for $1.99) after the first invoice.