Some people love being in a car, some hate it, and the rest fall somewhere into dispassionate disinterest. No matter which camp the people in your life fall into, chances are they spend a lot of time – too much, perhaps – in their cars. Luckily, there are ways to make life considerably easier (and hopefully more fun!) for those who refer to their vehicles as their second homes.
This holiday season, we’ve collected a list of gifts that will add a little comfort and functionality to the vehicles that serve as commuters, taxis, tailgaters, and errand runners.
Anyone who has ever tried to line up and connect their tow vehicle and trailer on the first try knows one thing for sure – if you’re trying to do it alone, it’s not happening without getting in and out of the vehicle at least two or three times. The
Swift Hitch solves the problem by providing drivers with an in-vehicle image of the hitch and ball, enabling fast, solo hook ups on the first try. It’s a perfect gift for the friend who always seems to be packing up to leave for somewhere. -
$199
We love to drink in our vehicles. Coffee, water, sodas, you name it. But is it just us, or are there are never enough drink holders? And if you have enough, it seems they don’t always fit your cup or are already filled with something else! Solve this rather annoying problem for your loved one with the
RAM mount-anywhere, fit-any-cup drink holder. You may be surprised at the $36 price tag, but check out those glowing reviews. -
$36
A tablet doesn’t do you much good when it’s sitting on the floor, sliding around the dashboard, or falling out the door when you open it.
Arkon has car mounts suited for all types of tablets, in the location that suits a driver’s lifestyle and reach. Best near those center cup holders? Should it be attached to the windshield? Maybe a friend needs one so the kids can watch movies in the back. Take your pick of an adjustable holder that fits any tablet from seven to 12 inches. It will make storing and using a tablet easy as pie. -
$29.95 - 44.95
It stands for the Flashing Roadside Emergency Disk, but the side of the road is just one of the many places
F.R.E.D.can be useful. Essentially, it’s compact, plastic disc that’s the LED version of a flare. Use it in a vehicle emergency or so your friends can find you at a festival or campsite. Visible up to a mile away, it runs for up to 38 hours on AA batteries and has a magnetized back. Plus, word on the street is it’s waterproof, shatterproof, and crushproof. Have at it. -
$14.99
Ok, this one goes a little beyond functionality. But, boy is it fun.
GoPro Hero 3+ cameras are wearable, mountable, waterproof, small, wi-fi enabled and deliver professional-quality video and photos. Driving down the road or jumping out of a plane, there’s only one way to capture and share your adventures, and it’s not through your less-than-perfect memory. GoPro is perfect for those non-skiing parents who want to see what the kids get up to when on the slopes or just showing off amazing road trips to friends!
$299-399