Christmas is just around the corner and if you have a car enthusiast in your life that you want to buy a gift for, we’ve got plenty of ideas for you to choose from.
Here are our favourite Top Ten ideas for you to consider, from gadgets to enhance and improve everyday driving to fun toys and experiences to appeal to your inner-child.
- Driving Gloves
Winter is here and getting into a cold car in the morning is not much fun, but the gift of a pair of driving gloves will help to keep your recipient’s hands warm as well as stylish.
But as well as looking good, driving gloves also have some safety benefits. They give the driver a better grip on the steering wheel, which is especially useful when driving in adverse weather conditions. In fact, many professional drivers use driving gloves to exhibit greater control over their cars.
Another benefit to wearing driving gloves is that they will protect the steering wheel from the sweat and oils produced by hands, and scratches caused from rings on fingers.
- Dash Cam
This gift could be great option for cautious drivers, as it will make them feel more secure when out on the roads.
Dash Cam is an in-car camera system that makes a video and audio recording of each journey, and they range in price from around £20 to £300 depending on quality and features.
They’re an effective way to find out who was at fault in a car accident and many Insurers already accept dash cam evidence. They’re becoming increasingly popular and according to research carried out by Populus among AA Members, dash cam ownership in the UK has gone from 1% to 15% in just four years.
And in the event of a breakdown, dash cams can also act as a GPS tracker which can help emergency services locate the vehicle.
- Lego Ferrari
Who says Lego is just for kids? This fabulous Ferrari F40 is just one of many Lego models you can build, and we have to say it’s one of our favourites.
The Ferrari F40 is a two-door coupe sports car built from 1987-1992. It was designed to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and was the last Ferrari automobile personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. At the time it was Ferrari’s fastest, most powerful, and most expensive car for sale.
But if that doesn’t take your fancy you could consider a Mini Cooper, a Volkswagen Beetle, or a Volkswagen T1 camper van. They cost around £75-85, but it’s worth it if your recipient loves their car (and their toys!).
- Novelty Ice Scraper
Looking for something fun? Novelty ice scrapers, like the Yeti Glove Ice Scraper sold at Halfords, should raise a smile and are a great price if you’re looking for a stocking filler.
On a serious note, in icy weather it’s extremely important to properly clear the ice from your car before setting off. If you drive your car with ice covering your windscreen, your vision will be impaired. Not only is this dangerous but it is also breaking the law. The Highway Code clearly states that “windows and windscreens MUST be kept clean and free of obstructions to vision”.
But there’s no reason why you can’t have a bit of fun at the same time, and this novelty gift idea will hopefully cheer up whoever is wearing it as they scrape away the ice!
- Car Care Kit
Do you know someone who likes to keep their car sparkling clean?
Autoglym, Meguiars and Turtle Wax are just a few brands that offer their own car care kits, and they usually include items such as shampoo, polish, wax, wheel cleaner and cloths.
Most standard car care kits cost around the £20 mark, which is a much cheaper option than paying out for a car wash every couple of months.
- Steering Wheel Cover
Nobody likes putting their hands on a freezing cold steering wheel in cold weather, so a fabric steering wheel cover can help maintain a nicely touchable temperature.
Covers come in all sorts of colours and patterns and can really brighten up the inside of a car. They also prevent wear and tear on the steering wheel so will help to keep the car in better condition, should it be sold in the future
There are some great safety aspects too. Over time, constant touching of the steering wheel can start to wear down its grip, making it feel slippery to the touch. Adding a steering wheel cover with a textured grip will help the driver to have control at all times.
- Car Tool Kit
If your recipient loves tinkering around with their car, a car tool kit may be an appreciated gift.
Most basic car tool kits contain items such as screwdrivers, wrenches, spanners and socket tools inside a hard-wearing carry case, which can easily be stored in the car.
With a basic tool kit in the car, and the right skills and knowledge, the driver may be able to fix some basic car problems themselves without the expense of taking it to the garage. It may also help them to temporarily patch up a problem at the side of the road, buying enough time to reach the nearest garage.
- Car Racing Experience Day
An experience day would be a fantastic treat for a friend (or yourself) this Christmas!
There is a wide range of Car Racing Experience Days available, usually in the form of a gift voucher, including supercars, 4×4 off-road adventures, American muscle cars, Formula 1 and Silverstone race days, and much more!
- Reversing Camera Kit
Do you know someone who struggles with reverse parking? If so, a reversing camera kit could be a perfect gift.
The cameras help drivers reverse safely, reducing the risk of hitting the pavement, a bollard, another car or, even worse, a cyclist or pedestrian. There are a range of state-of-the-art, quality reverse cameras available to fit almost any vehicle type.
These types of cameras are becoming an increasingly popular safety feature in both modern motors and classic cars. This automotive technology can help save lives, prevent injury and even prevent expensive damage to your car.
- ODB2 Diagnostic Scanner
And finally, an ODB2 diagnostic scanner is a useful tool that gives you access to the status of your vehicle – making it a great gift for gadget geeks or those who like to work on their car at home.
These scanners can be used for self-diagnostics and reporting on faults, and can usually read and clear codes.
Some of them even connect to your smartphone or tablet, sending data straight to your mobile device via Bluetooth and giving you a wealth of information about your car at your fingertips!
Hopefully these ideas have provided you with some inspiration, and you’ll be hitting the shops or the Internet to make your purchases. And while you’re there, why not treat yourself to something at the same time? It is Christmas after all…
Sources
Sourced from www.foraymotorgroup.co.uk. (2017). 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Wearing Driving Gloves. Available: https://www.foraymotorgroup.co.uk/news/article/5-reasons-why-you-should-be-wearing-driving-gloves. Last accessed 08/12/2017.
Sourced from www.u-pull-it.co.uk. (2017). 10 Christmas Gift Ideas For Car Lovers. Available: https://www.u-pull-it.co.uk/news/driving/10-christmas-gift-ideas-car-lovers. Last accessed 08/12/2017.
Sourced from www.theaa.com. (2017). Dash cams and your car insurance. Available: https://www.theaa.com/car-insurance/advice/why-you-should-install-a-dash-cam. Last accessed 08/12/2017.
Wiseman, E. (2017). How and why you should de-ice your car in freezing conditions. Available: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/advice/tips-de-icing-car-laws-icy-windscreens-winter-2017/. Last accessed 08/12/2017.
Beaty, A. (2017). Benefits Of Using A Steering Wheel Cover And 3 Highly Rated Ones To Try. Available: http://www.doityourselfrv.com/steering-wheel-cover-benefits/. Last accessed 08/12/2017.