It’s Not Too Late: Last Minute Holiday Gifts That’ll Make Everyone’s Day Bright
You need great gift ideas. We have great gift ideas!
If you’re that person who stumbles into Nordstrom at 2 PM on Christmas Eve, I get you. That’s been me more than a *few* times. Lately, though, I’ve found last-minute gift shopping to be a nice doom-scroll activity—as long as I do it in the few days leading up to the holiday. Overlooked nephew? Check! Meant-to-call-more-often uncle? Got it. Extra gift to even things out between the kids? Easy. Last minute holiday gifts are all the convenient in the era of digital gifting.
But picking the right gift? Now, that’s a challenge. But we have ideas. These are our favorite vetted holiday gifts for this season, most available to ship quickly or via a digital gift card. Isn’t that nice?
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Wine + Cars? Yes, and Thanks to Adobe Road Winery
There’s nothing like kicking back after a long day of driving—on the highway, on the track, or on the highway to the track and back—with a few friends and great bottle of wine. But wine that is crafted to celebrate the highlights of the day, such as that ideal apex, the perfectly timed shift or the perfect Porsche that was your partner on the tarmac? That is the passion of champion race car driver and Adobe Road Winery owner Kevin Buckler.
“The Racing Series was simply inspired by the journey from fast cars to fine wine,” Kevin told us. Both pursuits capture “our love of creative winemaking, awesome teamwork, an A++ final product and of course… going fast!” he says of journey from racing to making wine, a pursuit inspired by his wife Debra more than 30 years ago. Now, Kevin, Debra and team create a specially curated line of 6 premium California blends that offer the perfect toast to celebrate the thrill, and achievement, of a great day on the track.
How About Time on an Actual Track?
One of the best gifts anyone can give or get is time on a track. Learn to really drive, and do it in a dream car. Learn to corner, to skid (or drift) and how not to; learn how to recover when you do start to skid. Learn how to drive a stick shift, how to drive a super car, how to off-road on muddy trails and slick-surfaced rock hills. There are driving experiences for all those, and no matter were you live, there’s one near you. Best of all, you drive their cars not yours, so the only risk is leaving with your heart set on owning one if you don’t already.
- The Porsche Experience Center, with locations in Atlanta and Los Angeles, as well as other Porsche driving schools throughout the country, offer experiences from a few hours to a few days that’ll teach you to drive like a pro, taught by a driving pro.
- BMW Performance Centers in Spartanburg, SC and Palm Springs CA are the perfect place to learn to master the ultimate driving machine. Take your pick of performance models and experiences; our advice is to get a package with lots and lots of track time, You won’t want to leave.
- Mini Driving School, which is held at BMW Performance Centers, allows you to hop into one of the most fun cars on the road and learn to drive like a stunt driver, from autocross where you’ll learn to make a J-turn to mastering the skid pad to track time that’ll make you feel like a champ.
- Ford Racing School, with locations in Utah and North Carolina, allow drivers to race Mustang Dark Horse models on the Charlotte Motor Speedway, or drive Explorer STs in Asheville and Park City, Utah. The Explorer program adds off-road trail riding, too. Ford is reshaping its racig program, so look for news here soon.
- Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo, with 5 locations around the country, may be the most brilliant driving experience of them all: Spend a day with pro off-roaders and learn to do what they do: Ride trails, climb hills, ford water, you name it, if it’s doable, they can do it. And so can you. Buyers of a Ford Bronco get a free day at the Off-Roadeo, but anyone can buy a package, too. Its the most fun you’ll have outdoors all year, we promise.
- Teen Driving Schools are a great gift for a new driver and their nervous parents. These schools not only teach teens to be smart and responsible drivers, but they give them new appreciation for their vehicle, other drivers, and respect for the rules of the road.
Cute Coats To Keep Everyone Warm This Winter
Who can’t use another cute coat this winter? And one that is warm, yet lightweight enough to be comfortable in the car and provide a tight seatbelt fit is ideal. Shannon Basset lined up not only this chic shearling, but her other favorites, from light puffers to classic wool coats to snuggly sherpas, all perfect for long days of endless errands in cold climates.
Cars… But Make It Fashion
There’s nothing better than merchandise from your favorite brand under the tree at holiday time. But it’s not always cute or something you’d wear for a night out, to a game or coffee with your friends. Unless you have Corliss Oglesby’s guide to to these ultra cute car-themed items. Frankly, we were sort of stunned that things like the Honda Racing silk scarf and the Bronco denim jacket even exist. We hope this is a peek at the future of car-branded merch; its all Just. So. Good.
Legos For Car Fans…and Lego Fans Make the Best Holiday Gifts
When it comes to Legos, I’m simply lost. Until I see a Lego Corvette at an auto show and then, I’m fascinated. All those little pieces, details that get it all so right. It looks like an artist’s masterpiece and I’m so impressed. I could never do something like that.
Or could I? Even more importantly, could you? Lego says YES. So we turned to Cherise Threewitt, a Lego aficionado and fan to tell us which Lego car kits are the best. And I’m here to say, I think I need the Land Rover kit; if I can’t have a real Land Rover in my driveway, I can build one to display in my office, right?
Ride-On Cars To Turn Your Littles Into Car Girls
When my kids were little I had to get them an electric ride-on car. I needed to make sure they would become car girls, to love the experience and the freedom of driving, to find excitement in car time, even if it meant a long day of driving on a family road trip. To make sure that when they got their driver’s license that they’d have the hand/eye coordination and sense of space and velocity that makes for a good driver. A ride-on car was the perfect place to start.
Fast forward just a bit and anyone putting their kiddo in a powered kiddie car is finding the best collection of nicely designed cars with smart features and a much better experience. Not that my girls didn’t love their Barbie Jeep, but I look at the cars on the market now and it makes me wish they were four all over again (but only for a minute).
Get Out of the House In This Kawasaki Side-By-Side
Imagine this life: You walk out to your garage, hop into your side-by-side, pop the starter, put it in gear and away you go, almost all in one move. Quickly you’re zipping down the street, wind in your hair, a song in your ear (thanks to the speakers in the ceiling) and waving to your neighbors. Soon you turn onto a trail in your community designated for carts and side-by-sides; it takes you right to the front of the elementary school where you pull right up to the front of the school to pick up your son. You’re there with a dozen other parents, hanging in your carts and chatting while other parents are stuck sweating in their cars in the after school pick up lane.
Soon, your son buckles up in the rear seat and you’re off, to softball practice or Kumon or to a friend’s house. All in the cart; your car can stay parked in the garage since you’re not leaving your community. There are entire communities and towns that have gone to carts and cart paths, allowing people to save the miles on their cars for longer or more extensive trips.
If this sounds great to you, Kawasaki has the perfect side-by-side for community driving. Natalie Merola spent a month with it and we practically had to pry it away from her. This thing is a life changer.
Car Essentials for Every Parent
If cart life isn’t feasible and you find yourself making those many, many quick errands, driving the kiddos all over creation and still aching for those ideal road trips, Kim Smith has you. That’s her life too. With two kids and a healthy sense of wanderlust, Kim often finds herself on the road for short and long hauls.
So, she put together this list of things every parent should have in the car; things you’ll need and appreciate every day, and things that you’ll be really glad you have when you need them. Take a look, and then, you can thank Kim for figuring this out for you.
The Best Travel Gear for Road Trips
No, it’s not too soon to start planning your February, March and April getaways—and beyond. Which makes now the perfect time to start gearing up with the right travel gear. These are our favorites, and they’ll be yours, too.
Get in On Our Merch Giveaway!
Feeling like maybe after all that shopping you’re the one who needs a holiday gift? We got you! We’re giving away a ton of car swag (a literal closet full, to be honest). And we want you to have it. You can find out more here, and enter our current giveaway here.
Good luck, and happiest of holiday gifting!
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