Tired of being blindsided by how quickly the holidays arrive (again), and even though you swore last year was going to be different (again), you still ended up giving last-minute grocery store gift cards to most of your friends and family (again)?
Well, this year is going to be different. Getting ahead of the game with our early-bird list of cool and thoughtful gifts for the automotive lovers in your life is a great way to start the season off on the right foot.
No longer will you have to endure the dehumanizing groans from the poor family members and coworkers who have the misfortune of being saddled with you as their secret Santa. With these 15 great automotive gifts under $100, you’re sure to crush your gift-giving responsibilities this year.
Garage Tool and Gear Organizers
While maybe not the most glamorous and flashy item on the list, it’s hard to argue with the practicality of versatile organizing solutions for the garage. Rack-Em offers a wide variety of mountable brackets, hanging organizers, hooks, and baskets to help the clutter-challenged individuals in your family finally get their lives in order – literally.
Choose from spare tire carriers, wheel chocks, various-sized hooks, line spools, liquid storage containers, and even a drink cooler rack. These items are sure to be appreciated by anyone looking to turn their garage into a usable workspace or, dare we say it, a place where they can actually park a car.
Portable Jump Starter
A portable jump starter is definitely one of those items a lot of folks may think they don’t need – until they’re stranded on the side of the road at 11:30 at night, holding a pair of jumper cables with no Good Samaritans to be found. So, why not give the gift of practical independence this year with a handheld power boost?
A modern emergency car kit essential, these portable solutions “jump” a depleted battery by providing impressive cranking power to restart a car and get it back on the road. Better yet, many of today’s options pack built-in convenience features like phone chargers or flashlights, all in a package roughly the size of a smartphone. Parts Via carries a variety of options from top brands like Schumacher, Weego, and NOCO.
Pet Barriers
If you have someone in your life who loves taking their furry friend on frequent road trips or even just out for the occasional pup cup, a portable pet partition for the car or truck is a great gift idea.
It can be next to impossible to get a dog to stop bouncing around the vehicle while driving, but these cleverly designed barriers do just that – turning an SUV or CUV’s cargo bay into a cushy kennel. Adjustable and expandable, they’re an easy-to-install solution for rambunctious travel companions.
Towing Mirrors
Towing mirrors make a great gift for anyone with a fifth wheel, boat, toy hauler, or other tow-behind rig that gets even occasional use. Whether you get a universal or custom-fit set, these safety accessories offer an improved and enlarged rearward view of the trailer in question, ensuring smoother travels on the road ahead.
That means, in addition to enjoying better visibility, the loved one on your gift list will also be able to reverse and maneuver obstacles with more ease and confidence -- ensuring you have added peace of mind while they’re away. That’s what we call a gift that keeps on giving. Start your search here on Parts Via with quality brands like Milenco, Camco, and K Source.
Windshield Wiper Blades
New windshield wipers make great stocking stuffers. Like the portable jump starters mentioned earlier, they’re one of those automotive components that people often don’t think about until irritation strikes. In this case, a torrential downpour or blinding snow that merely gets pushed around the windshield, leaving behind a smeared mess.
If you really want to show how much you care, splurge for some creme-de-la-creme wiper blades that most folks want, but may not want to spend the cash on for themselves. Premium picks like the Bosch ICON, Rain-X Endura, or Valeo Aero Vogue might run a little higher, but are sure to outperform bargain-priced options.
Cargo Retriever
The TruXedo Cargo Retriever is one of those ingenious game-changing tools that a person doesn’t know they need, but once they have one, will wonder how they ever lived without it -- especially if they own a truck.
This cleverly designed cargo retriever extends the entire length of any truck bed, making it easy to fish cargo out of the back without having to climb up in there to get it. It’s an ergonomic godsend for anyone whose lower back can’t “perform like it used to” or whose knees crack in pain every time they kneel on a hard surface. Works with any type of truck, and when not in use, the retriever stores easily within reach on the side of the bed.
Emergency Kit
Automotive emergency kits make excellent gifts for anyone in your life who owns a car and drives it literally anywhere. Being stranded on the side of the road waiting for hours for roadside assistance and risking safety is never any fun. A comprehensive roadside emergency kit that includes items like jumper cables, a tow rope, various tools, a flashlight, bungee cords, a tire pressure gauge, gloves, an emergency blanket, and more can save your friends and family tons of time when a breakdown occurs. It also gives them the opportunity to help out a less fortunate motorist if the occasion arises.
Smartphone or Tablet Mount
For those who seem to practically live on the road and do a lot of work from their vehicles, the SeaSucker suction cup smartphone mount or the SeaSucker tablet mount provides a super strong, hands-free solution that can be mounted virtually anywhere in a vehicle.
The low-profile vacuum mount and bendable arms are uber versatile and provide plenty of options for accessing data and communicating while on the go. SeaSucker also makes a large line of innovatively designed bike rack accessories, cup holders, fishing rod mounts, and more for cars, campers, and boats – all of which make awesome gift ideas.
Custom Floor Mats
Nothing says love like laser-printed, custom-fit floor mats and cargo liners. Not only are these products quick and easy to install, but they also can be cleaned off in seconds to ensure even the oldest cars still look new inside. In most cases, for less than $100, you can provide years of reliable protection from damaging dirt, mud, snow, salt, sand, and debris.
Parts Via offers a wide selection of floor mats and cargo area liners from brands like Husky Liner, WeatherTech, and 3D Mats. For the sports nut in your life (and on your list), check out Fan Mats lineup of officially-licensed merch.
Windshield Shade
Covercraft makes a sleek line of custom windshield shades that make ideal gifts for anyone who lives in a blazing hot, unforgiving climate. The triple laminate construction and foam core center act not only to block damaging UV rays that can damage the dash, but they also help to regulate the vehicle’s inside temperature. Each shade is custom-fit to a specific windshield and secures easily using the car’s sun visors. It also folds and stows neatly in an optional bag for added longevity and easy access.
Bike Rack
When you think of bike racks, you may think it’s impossible to find a decent one for under $100. But the aftermarket has taken cargo management to new heights (quite literally), creating more opportunities at lower price points. For those who only need to transport one or two bicycles, there are plenty of high-quality options available. We suggest starting your search with Swagman, which offers roof-mounted, hitch-mounted, bumper mounted, and RV ladder-mounted bike carriers with several price tags that will stay within your under-$100 budget.
Folding Camp Chair
For the avid tailgater, soccer parent, or music in the park listener, you can’t go wrong with a durable and comfortable folding camp chair that can be stored in the trunk and pulled out at a moment’s notice. You can opt for the traditional fold-up design that everyone’s familiar with, but why not explore some of the innovative new styles out there?
Check out Faulkner’s line here on Parts Via. The brand offers a folding director’s chair that comes with its own side table and storage box, as well as a unique rocking chair that folds down for easy storage and carrying.
Truck Bed Area Cargo Light
Another simple, yet game-changing gift idea for the truck lover in your life is a handy truck bed area cargo light. These compact and super bright LED lights install in minutes and will illuminate a dark truck bed, making it easy to see anytime of the day or night.
Completely waterproof, you can choose from a battery-operated model or one that hardwires directly into the 12-volt power supply. These handy lights can also be used for marine and RV applications, making them a versatile gift for a variety of folks on your gift list.
Recovery Straps
These affordable and versatile accessories are a must-have for anyone who loves off-roading, towing, or simply being prepared for unexpected roadside emergencies. And they make a great gift choice because they offer peace of mind and utility all in one.
Designed to handle the toughest challenges, recovery straps are a safer alternative to chains or steel cables since their elasticity reduces the risk of sudden jolts or snaps. They’re an essential tool for adventure-seekers, ensuring that when a vehicle is stuck, there’s still some pulling power on board to help dislodge them. Parts Via carries a variety of well-known brands, in both nylon and polyester constructions, including big names like ARB, Hi-Lift Jack, TrailFX, and WARN.
Cargo Bags
Not everyone wants or needs a heavy-duty cargo carrier, even if they frequently travel with cumbersome items like luggage or outdoor gear. This is where cargo bags really come in handy. Usually constructed from durable, weather-resistant materials like PVC-coated nylon or polyester, these bags strap or clip onto a vehicle’s roof or hatch to quickly maximize storage capacity. Because they’re soft-sided, they’re easy to maneuver – and they can be folded or rolled up for convenient storage.
Great for weekend warriors, cross-country road trippers, camping enthusiasts, college students, and more, a cargo bag has a plethora of applications and uses that people are sure to appreciate. Check out Rightline Gear and CURT Manufacturing for some great gift options under $100 here on Parts Via.