When it comes to Christmas gifts for the gearhead in your life, the world is your oyster — literally. Have you seen those custom pearl-finished Ferraris?
Can’t afford a luxury car? No worries — no matter what your budget, there are gifts available any car enthusiast will be sure to love. There’s still time to order many gifts online and have them arrive in time for Christmas, but don’t forget to count in delivery and exchange rates when ordering to ensure that bargain is truly a bargain.
Racing accessories
The online marketplace Zazzle has dozens of gift items for the race fan in your life, including beer steins, coffee mugs, T-shirts, ornaments, ties and greeting cards. Zazzle.ca.
Formula 1
Ever dream of owning a painting of world champion Lewis Hamilton, a balaclava worn by Nico Rosberg or a piece of a Renault exhaust system from a vehicle driven by Kimi Raikkonen? Mementoexclusives.com is an amazing site that offers some truly obscure items, such as an upcycled carbon brake pad iPhone holder from Red Bull Racing or a pair of Alpinestars Nomex bottoms once worn by Michael Schumacher. Mementoexclusives.com.
Smartphone apps
Gift cards are an inexpensive way to give auto-related smartphone apps for the holidays. There are many to choose from, but some online research showed particularly popular is Car Minder Plus, an app that will run on any iPod, iPad or iPhone. The app, $2.99 at the iTunes Store, was created to remind vehicle owners of their maintenance schedule and fuel consumption.
Meanwhile Google Play has several apps available for Android, including Torque ($4.95), Car Home Ultra (free) and Car Locator ($3.99), which helps locate your vehicle, time your parking and offers driving conditions.
Trucker hats
Online marketplace Zazzle also has dozens of designs to choose from, including vintage car images, a variety dedicated to Mustang cars and hats emblazoned with phrases, such as “Truck Yeah!,” “Will Talk Cars With Anyone,” “Retired Car Salesman” and “Auto Geek.” Zazzle.ca.
Sculptures and coasters by Linear Edge
Design firm Linear Edge creates sleek, three-dimensional sculptures made from Baltic Birch and laminate depicting the layout of famous race courses such as Laguna Seca, Monaco, Nürburgring, Road America, Spa Francorchamps and Watkins Glen International. The black and silver coasters include the same images. These are gifts any motorsport fan will love. Linearedge.com.
Gift cards
You can’t go wrong with letting family and friends choose their own gift at a local store. Think Canadian Tire for basics, such as license plate covers or GPS systems, or peruse coupon sites such as Groupon or Social Shopper to give the gift of an oil change or car detailing package.
Anything Top Gear
The popular TV series has an online shop where car enthusiasts and the people who love them can order everything from The Top Gear Guide to Britain or the “Never seen on TV” Top Gear: Perfect Road Trip DVD. Topgear.com.
Christmas ornaments
Again, it’s online marketplace Zazzle that has a large assortment of auto-inspired Christmas ornaments, including ones that read, “Auto Mechanic by Day, Zombie Slayer by Night.” Zazzle.ca.
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