It is the month of December and that means Christmas is just around the corner! Have you sorted out all of the Christmas gifts you plan to give to your loved ones? Or are you still in limbo on how much you should spend? Well according to a survey, many Singaporeans plan to spend less money this Christmas due to the economic woes brought by Covid-19. Indeed, the pandemic has affected the otherwise joyous occasion, and that is the harsh reality.
But don’t let it stop you from being thoughtful! Getting a gift for the people you love is always difficult, particularly when it comes to car enthusiasts. Passionate to all things that run on four wheels and an engine, they find much joy and pleasure discussing the car of their dreams with other like-minded people. Obviously, buying an expensive muscle car they desire is out of the window (and budget), but there are other practical and affordable alternatives you can consider giving this Christmas.
1) CAR COVERS
Car covers protect cars from being exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. UV rays from the sun contribute to the fading and discolouration of the paint, the tyre pressure of your car and can damage your airbags that are supposed to save your life in the event of a collision. So with a car cover, this can be prevented and it can also protect the car from other elements like heavy rain, bird droppings and even regulates the temperature of the car during hot afternoons. For car enthusiasts who don’t have a shaded parking spot at home, a custom-sized fit car cover would surely be the perfect Christmas gift!
2) LEGO SET OF SPORTS CARS
Lego has a wide array of in-depth and extensive car sets that mimic real-life cars with meticulous details. Although you could not possibly afford a real-life sports car, a miniature lego set would be a wonderful and thoughtful gift. The only thing you need to do is to figure out what car model they like. Besides, you could help contribute to their collection of lego automobile sets as the years roll by. Just be careful not to introduce the present in front of young kids!
3) DASH CAMERA
Dash cameras serve as a useful tool for all vehicle owners. In the event of a car accident, they can use the footage to prove their innocence if the other driver falsely frames them. Also, some high-tech dashcams such as the series 2 Dash Cams have features that will turn itself on upon detecting any movement and impact from the car. But most importantly, car thieves would not risk stealing a car that has dash cameras on as it would be too risky!
4) KEY FINDER
Car keys are small and are notoriously known to be very elusive when you are in a hurry. A car key finder typically has a Bluetooth function that you can pair to your phone, allowing you to track your car keys much more easily. So, if you know your car lover of a friend or family frequently loses their car keys or cannot seem to put them back in one common place, consider buying a car key finder for them.
5) CAR CLEANING KIT
The satisfaction of cleaning your car is indescribable. There’s something about washing your car that fills you with a sense of accomplishment—maybe it is the cleanliness or the fact that your car looks polished and new again. For car enthusiasts, maintaining their precious automobile is everything to them. A high-quality car cleaning kit can help retain the shine and value of a car compared to your traditional sponge and a bucket of water.
6) CUSTOM-MADE CAR MATS
Universal car mats are cheap, but they do not provide the same protection as custom-made car mats do. Since car mats often suffer from wear and tear from constant pressure from your shoes, custom mats are usually made of high-quality materials and are guaranteed to last much longer. In addition, the installation process is easier due to having no fitment difficulties. While it might be a weird Christmas gift to give, it is a practical and thoughtful one nonetheless.
7) CAR THEMED CLOTHING
When it comes to Christmas gifts, festive clothes that say “Merry Christmas” are quite common. So why not be a bit creative and audacious and give a cool car themed clothing such as a jacket, as a gift to your loved ones. Online stores such as Shopee and Lazada are excellent platforms to scout out car-themed clothes at an affordable price. Better still, consider getting the clothing brand of racing teams your loved ones are a fan of such as Puma or Ferrari.
8) SMARTPHONE MOUNT
Car phone mounts should be in every driver’s car, regardless if they are car fanatics or not. It is against the country’s laws to have a phone in your hand while driving. However, any device mounted on a holder can be used by the driver, so there are no penalties there. An important call that you need to pick up? No problem, just press the speaker button on your phone while keeping your eyes on the road. The best car phone holders also work with many smartphones on the market, many of them come with a stabiliser and allow smooth rotation of the phone.
9) SUNGLASSES FOR DRIVING
Sunglasses cut down the glare from the rays of sunlight. It reduces eye strain and allows you to see the road before you comfortably. In warm sunny days, our pupils would start to shrink because of the intensity of the light—this is to reduce light intake so as to protect our eyes. Sunglasses are a cheap yet effective way to reduce the amount of light reaching your eyes and allows your eyes to focus on the road properly. This, of course, is a perfect gift for car enthusiasts who love to take their beloved cars for a spin during their off time. And the best part? They look cool and stylish too.
10) TOOL KIT
Car enthusiasts spend much of their time tinkering, repairing and even modifying their beloved prized possession. With adequate knowledge and skill, all they need is the suitable car tool kit to tinker their car to their heart’s content. Tool kit sets such as DEWALT DWMT81534 or the DEKOPRO 128-Piece Tool Set would make excellent choices as they have a large variety of tools that could also be used in other situations.
Christmas represents a time where friends and family come together (physically or virtually) to bond with each other. Regardless of what you bought for them, the car enthusiasts around you would surely appreciate your gifts!