2019 Gift-Giving Guide: Holiday Cheer for the Car Lover in Your Life

Well, it happened again. Another year has managed to fly by and now you’re three short weeks out from the holiday-of-all-holidays with a long list of people to buy for and no clue where to start. While we may not be able to tell you what the best gadget gifts are this year or the must-have toys, we can make the gearhead on your list smile. Check out our 2019 Gift-Giving Guide for some solid ideas of how to spread a little holiday cheer for the car lovers in your life.

This is just Part 1 of the 2019 Gift-Giving Guide. And while you can expect variety, the items on this list function more as standalone gifts. Looking for some affordable stocking stuffers? Check out Part 2 of our Guide when it drops later this week.

Apparel & Gear

Combining two things we love—Hoonigan swag and ugly Christmas sweaters—this Hoonigan Uncle Rico Sweater strikes a great balance of funny and “fashionable.” In addition to being an actual knitted sweater (no crappy digital prints here, son) it features Shartkart living up the holiday season in all its sharty glory, complete with spark plugs, wrenches, and intrepid reindeer. You’re sure to be a h-i-t at the annual holiday party with this beauty! It’s a limited-edition seasonal item though, so don’t dilly dally. $69.95, currently on sale for $49. (Get a code for 15% off orders above $5 by joining Hoonigan’s mailing list.)

Phone/Tablet Mount

Chances are you’ve seen a thousand cheesy commercials for the WeatherTech CupFone by now. And, you know why? Because it’s downright USEFUL.

Designed to fit any vehicle’s cup-holder and support a wide range of devices, the CupFone allows you to give the gift of convenience this Christmas, making it perfect for the impersonal exchange at the holiday office party. Starts at $34.95.

Floor & Cargo Liners

If, however, you want to give the gift of convenience—along with a dose of style—check out these 3D MAXpider® Floor Mats. Featuring a unique compression-molded three-layer construction, these liners don’t just offer excellent floor protection, they also look incredible.

The patented anti-skid bottom layer keeps the mat in place while the middle layer minimizes sound and provides cushioning. But the top layer is what puts them on our 2019 Gift Giving Guide.

Made of thermoplastic rubber, the optional “Kagu” trim sports a carbon fiber texture that looks seriously luxurious. Pricing varies, but you’re looking anywhere between $100-$200 for a complete set (driver, passenger, rear passenger). We say that’s a small price to pay for quality protection and premium style.

If 3D doesn’t have your vehicle, or you prefer a more traditional look, check out Husky Liners and WeatherTech. Their products are tried and true—and all are made in the USA!

Car Care Kits

Including everything needed to wash, clay, polish, wax, and maintain a showroom shine, the Chemical Guys Starter Car Care Kit ($60) makes a great gift for budding auto enthusiasts. Ramp up the cleaning capabilities with the 14-Piece Arsenal Builder Car Wash Kit with TORQ Foam Blaster & Bucket ($90) featuring everything necessary to give any car a premium, scratch-free, high-gloss shine from start to finish.

And if your car lover takes their detailing really seriously, consider upgrading to the TORQX Orbital Polisher Kit ($160) which features a dual action polisher perfect for polishing paint, removing swirls and scratches, spreading wax and sealant, scrubbing carpet, cleaning and restoring clarity to headlights, and more.

Dirt Racing Tickets

Whether you love or hate the Millennial generation, you gotta admit one positive thing we’ve brought to the table is an emphasis on experiences over stuff. So, take a page from our playbook and give the gift of some quality time with your loved ones this holiday.

There are literally thousands of automotive events to choose from—in fact, check out our Competition Corner round ups for some solid ideas. But, if you’re looking to stay a little ahead of the trends, we say hit up a dirt track race. Thanks to its gutsy grassroots style, dirt track racing popularity is growing immensely here in the States.

Support your local racers and find all the dirt tracks near you and get a list of all upcoming races by clicking here. And consider checking out the World of Outlaws schedule here if you’re looking for something a little more mainstream.

Outdoor Cooking

Is your car lover also an RV enthusiast, camping junkie, or tailgating aficionado? Then, check out the FireDisc Outdoor Cooker. This high-performance, portable propane cooker disassembles into three pieces and packs up tight for convenience and versatility. Perfect for a variety of outdoor recreation activities, the FireDisc’s carbon steel, 22-in cooking surface can accommodate almost any meal and any size group.

Available in a variety of options, the FireDisc comes equipped with either a shallow or deep cooking surface, 24” or 36” standing height, in a red or black finish. And all units operate with easy-to-find 16.4 oz propane canisters.

Cookers range in price from $300-$350. Bundles are available for easier purchasing and include frying accessories and koozie packs, adding about $100 to the asking price.

Portable Power

If keeping the food cool is more of a concern for the adventurer in your life, consider the gift of portable power. We’ve talked about Dometic’s new PLB40 battery on the blog. It’s a little pricey at $750-$850, but can supply a weekend’s worth of power on a single charge. Less powerful power stations are available for a more affordable price from brands like Goal Zero. (The lightweight Yeti 200X delivers 187 Watt-Hours of lithium power and the latest fast-charging technology in a compact, ultra-portable design for around $300.)

Companies like Zamp Solar offer sustainable power with clever folding solar panels that are ready to connect right out of the box, no assembly required. Capable of powering everything from lights to fridges, they range in output from 45 watts to 230 watts. Pricing can be anywhere from $250-$850, depending on selection.

And Weego has a new jump starter/charger/battery for professionals, excellently named the Crankenstein ($700) that would be a great gift for the hard-worker in your life.

Dream Garage

Help make your gearhead’s dream garage a reality with the 2Bay Workbench from Badass Workbench. It’s a big, big-ticket item at $4,000+ but if you have the capital it would make one helluva splash on Christmas Day. Made in the USA, it features a powder-coated frame and drawers, 3/8 mild steel plate top, 450-lb capacity drawers, and a lifetime warranty.

While you’re outfitting that work space, don’t forget some ergonomically-minded accessories like these Swisstrax Rubbertrax Mats. Running about $7/sqft or $12/tile, you can create a nice padded floor surface perfect for long hours of wrenching. Also featured at SEMA 2019, these are made entirely from 100%-recycled and regionally sourced materials.

Who says that dream garage has to be full of expensive goodies? This Performance Tool Large Magnetic Nut and Bolt Tray will run you about $10 on Amazon, but thanks to 2 strong double magnets, it will keep small metal parts, tools, and hardware from getting lost. It even works sideways and upside-down!

Pet Travel Accessories

Say it with me: Never. Leave. The. Dog. Behind. It’s not a *family* vacation if the most interesting member is left at home. Keep your furry friend comfortable on the next long trip with the Kurgo Loft Wander Dog Bed ($65).

Featuring a durable, water-resistant, ripstop top and waterproof bottom, it can handle any dog—no matter how wet—and any environment, from hotel floor to RV to campsite. Plus, it rolls up into a compact sleeping-bag-sized bundle, with a handle for easy carrying. Perfect for pet lovers or beloved pets.

Consider pairing it with one of Northwest Seat Covers’ quality Pet Covers. Available in a variety of cool prints and patterns, including Mossy Oak and Realtree Camo designs, these are a great way to protect back seats from pet hair, muddy paws, drool and much more. ($55-$115).

Toys, Toys, Toys

We can’t forget about those young enthusiasts still finding their automotive tribe.

Think you might have a future racing nut on your hands? Hot Wheels put out a whole Gift-Giving Guide of its own for the season. It features everything from car packs to loopy tracks and even a trippy Smart Track™ racing portal that lets kids track their gaming stats, vehicle collection, and full racing performance via Bluetooth connection to a smartphone app. Seriously, guys, welcome to playtime of the future. ($22-$200)

If you’re pretty sure there’s a future automotive technician or engineer in the family, LEGO has a build set for every age. From a 75-piece Desert Rally Racer ($10) and 579-piece Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ($50) to a 1580-piece Porsche 911 RSR ($150) and whopping 3599-piece Bugatti Chiron ($350), there’s plenty of variety.

If you think your kiddo might be a future vehicle designer—or you’re buying for a grownup kid who longs for some matchbox car nostalgia—check out these incredibly cool Candylab premium wooden cars. Prices range from $10-$80, but you can get 10% off your first order when you join the mailing list.

Get Out of Jail Free Card

Got a car-lover with a lead foot? Consider gifting a dash cam. Great for disputing tickets and backing up insurance claims, it’s also a fun way to record all the incredibly stupid crap that fellow drivers do on the road.

At the top of the recommended tech list for 2019 is the Garmin Dash Cam 56. Digital Trends made it their Editor’s Choice pick for the season, saying it offers the most bang for your buck. And with a 140° field of vision, better resolution and contrast, auto sync, and voice control—all for less than $200—we have to agree.

Nothing on our 2019 Gift-Giving Guide grabbing you? Check out our lists from 2018 here and here for some additional inspiration!