Christmas is just around the corner, and although this year’s festive season is more subdued than normal and spending is set to be down on last year, the gifts for your nearest and dearest still need to be up to scratch. If you’ve got a certified car lover in your ranks, the good news is there are plenty of great ideas to choose from that are sure-fire hits for the big day.
Below, you’ll find four categories of gifts for petrolheads, along with some fine examples of each and something for every age and budget. So, if you’re still scrambling around for inspiration for Christmas, or even looking ahead to birthdays for your resident four-wheel fanatic, take a look at our handy guide on cool gifts for car lovers.
TOYS FOR KIDS
Whether we like to admit it or not, many of us car-loving adults are really just big kids at heart, so where better to start than with the perfect toys for the sophisticated car enthusiast?
A next-gen games console
You may have seen some furore around the release of the two major next-generation games consoles – the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. Both significantly more powerful than their predecessors, both built to take the gaming experience to the next level and both guaranteed to put a smile on virtually anyone’s face this Christmas.
For the car fans specifically, Xbox has Forza Motorsport and PlayStation has Gran Turismo – two motorsport franchises exclusive to their respective consoles that have long provided driving fans with the ultimate in-game racing experience. Codemasters’ F1 2020 is another brilliant option for both consoles.
Lego replicas
From the new school to the old, Lego offers nostalgia for the big kids and fun for the actual kids in equal measure. Today, Lego offers up some car kits that are very much worthy of note, including the rather impressive Lego Technic replicas of the Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 and the Bugatti Chiron.
A game of Monopoly, anyone?
Would Christmas be complete without a family fallout over hotel rates and income tax? This year you can do it in style with a car-themed version of Monopoly. Our pick, for the F1 fans in particular, would be the Mercedes F1 Silver Arrows Edition, but there are plenty of options out there that would make unique gifts for car lovers.
Cute mini cars
While you might be a little big to fit in yourself, you can live vicariously through your kids this year by purchasing your dream car, just in miniature form, for them to cruise around in. A sure-fire crowd pleaser for the kids, plus you get to tell people about the shiny new Range Rover, Jaguar, Audi Quattro or RS you just bought – just don’t mention the scale.
Car toys
For the toy car lover who’s interested in a little more of an interactive element, RC cars are still very much a thing. Get a Land Rover fan a scaled-down Range Rover Sport or Defender to bother people’s ankles with through Christmas Day – both make a great novelty gift for young and old.
READING MATERIAL
If the above doesn’t quite fit the bill in terms of refinement, you can always look to the old faithful and secure some trusty auto-based literature. With vast swathes of car-related reading material out there, books make for one of the classic Christmas gifts for petrolhead girls and guys.
How Cars Work by Tom Newton
Got a novice car mechanic in the family who wants to learn the ropes? This book won’t teach a seasoned veteran anything they don’t already know, but it will help a newbie get to grips with the essentials of car engineering, the parts involved and how they operate in an easily digestible and engaging manner.
Car: The Definitive Visual History of the Automobile by DK
For the passionate generalist who loves cars in all shapes and sizes, this book does what it says on the tin. It offers a thorough visual walkthrough of all the landmark moments in the storied history of the automobile and discusses the cars that have shaped it through the years. If you know your significant other loves cars but aren’t too sure of the specifics beyond that, this is a great “safe” gift for a car lover boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife.
The Complete Book of Porsche 911 by Randy Leffingwell
One of the most well-loved and iconic sports cars in history gets a full biographical history here. Perfect for a lover of all things 911, Leffingwell tells the complete history of the Porsche 911’s development and editions, and includes plenty of lesser known titbits that the typical Porsche fan will revel in.
GADGETS & ACCESSORIES
With the world of gadgetry and technology ever-growing, there are some awesome in-car tech gift ideas that’ll hit the sweet spot for tech and car lovers.
Amazon Alexa Echo Auto
Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa has become a familiar voice in many of our homes, but what about in the car? The Alexa Echo Auto is a relatively inexpensive in-car assistant that will allow you to do things like change the music, make calls and find the nearest petrol station without having to fiddle with buttons and put yourself at risk.
HUDWAY Cast Heads-Up Display (HUD)
A heads-up display is probably something you’d associate with a fighter jet or similar, so the idea of bringing one into your car makes it one of the truly cool gifts for car lovers this Christmas. The HUDWAY Cast is the first of its kind, and turns any smartphone into a heads-up display that provides the driver with a transparent GPS projection just above the wheel as well as being able to receive calls and read texts, and can even change the music.
Handpresso Auto Hybrid Coffee Maker
If your beloved petrolhead also happens to love their coffee, then you’ll hit the jackpot with an in-car coffee maker. Audi have their very own espresso machine that you can simply connect to your car to create delicious espressos in a matter of minutes. If their coffee is anything like their cars, then you’re onto a winner.
Accessories
Manufacturer branded accessories offer a vast range of possibilities in terms of gifts. From centrepiece presents like a high-quality timepiece to fun little stocking fillers like keyrings and dog bowls, the abundance of car based accessory gifts available mean you should be able to find something that will suit every car lover.
AN EXPERIENCE
One of the most obvious and all-time favourite suggestions for a car lover is a track day experience. There are plenty of great auto-based options out there that make great Christmas gifts for luxury car lovers and sentimental gifts for a vintage car lovers alike.
