What do you get the person who has everything? Automotive gifts, of course! Now, maybe automotive accessories, safety gear, and other vehicular paraphernalia doesn’t seem to be the most exciting gift on paper. But neither are socks, and people hand those things out in the millions every Christmas.
Unlike socks, which wind up stuffed in drawers or disappearing mysteriously in the laundry cycle, automotive items have a real purpose, and some are the kind of product that you will keep in your vehicle for a long, long time. Even more short-lived items, such as air fresheners, serve a very valuable purpose.
So if you happen to find yourself flummoxed when it comes to shopping for your friends and family members this Christmas season, refer back to this handy gift guide to find inspiration for a few tools and accessories of the road that any driver would be happy to have. Here are a few categories to consider.
Give the Gift of Accessories
Everybody loves accessories. From watches to key chains to sunglasses, a nice accessory can make your life easier while simultaneously adding a little style and panache to your appearance. The same is true of your vehicle, of course. Automotive accessories make for a great gift, because the person you give them to is almost certain to use them. Here are a few good options:
- Air fresheners
- Steering wheel covers
- Rubber floor mats
- Phone holders
- Trunk organizers
- Seat cushions
- Cordless vacuums
- Windshield covers
- Sun shades
- A Bluetooth adapter for older vehicles without Bluetooth
- And more
Consider buying a handful of these accessories and loading up a gift basket or packing a stocking with them for an especially thoughtful touch.
Give the Gift of Cleanliness
Most of us have a friend or loved one who drives a perpetually grimy, unwashed, and unvacuumed car. As funny as it is to write ‘Wash Me’ on their back windshield repeatedly, it’s much nicer and more considerate to gift them a means of dealing with the dirt. That’s why you should consider giving them a gift card to a car wash and detailing business. With plenty of brick-and-mortar and mobile options available in most municipalities, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a well-reviewed service that offers gift certificates. Your loved one is sure to appreciate it, and their vehicle will, too.
Give the Gift of Safety
You might have guessed that safety is important to us here at Traffic Safety; after all, it’s right there in our name. But truthfully, safety on the road is something that should be of paramount importance to every driver. You can help the drivers in your family or friend group drive a little safer next year by providing them with a few key items to help keep them safer on their drives. Some of the safety-related items that make for great gifts include:
- Road flares
- Combination glass breaker/seatbelt cutters
- Flashlights
- Tire inflators
- Portable jump starters
- Pre-packaged emergency roadside kits
- Foam tire sealant
- Pressure gauges
- Duct tape
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kits
- Multi-tools
...among many other options. Even gifting one or two of the items above is a considerate choice and likely not something your intended recipient will expect. (Unless you hand out automotive safety items like candy every year, of course.)
Last But Not Least…
If none of the above options seem to hit the mark, you can give a gift that is always welcome, and, in this economy, perhaps second only to cash in its pure appeal: a gas card! Because while it might be all too easy for a loved one to forget where their 30th pair of Christmas sucks came from, chances are they will remember your charitable kindness when they fill up at the pump using the gift card you gave them. It’s an easy gift, and the perfect option for the last-minute shopper.
By following this gift guide, tailoring your gifts to their recipients, and thinking outside the box to deliver truly unique automotive gift packages, you’ll be well on your way towards earning a reputation as the Santa Claus of the highway … or something like that.
From us to you, Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and safe travels out there on the road!