My wife admitted to me that she needed another gift for me the other day, which I understand, as I can be difficult to shop for. I’m not an ascetic, but I don’t crave a lot of stuff, and the stuff I do crave (high-mileage Volvo wagons) is often too expensive to just casually give as a gift.
It’s a conundrum, and I feel bad because she loves books, puzzles, stationery, and other things that are both easy to find and fit neatly into an appropriate holiday price bracket. I like books, too, but how was she to guess that the one I want is a history of the Bretton Woods Agreement?
The one thing I did want was a cast-iron skillet, and it was on sale at Home Depot, which created a bit of an imbalance in our gifts. I don’t think either of us particularly cares about this, but it’s always nice to have a little surprise on Christmas.
I don’t know what she got me, though I now know what she didn’t get me. Not being a car person, she looked for car-related items and quickly decided that maybe this was the wrong avenue to walk down. With all due acknowledgement to Drew Magary, the king of humorous holiday gift guides, here are the gifts she didn’t end up buying but looked at, ranked.
(Also, I’m adding Amazon referral links, so if you buy anything, we might get a commission. FYI. That’s not the point of this, but it would be amusing if someone bought some of this crap.)
Saucemoto Dip Clip
Price: $9.99
Description: Dip Without the Drip – Say goodbye to messy car snacks! With the Saucemoto Dip Clip, every bite is a perfectly sauced masterpiece—no spills, no stress, just responsible dipping.
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s stressful, irresponsible dipping. I realize that sounds like a joke. It’s not. I regularly put kids in fancy cars I do not own and feel the need to protect.
I legit understand this gift and appreciate that the “patented 5-in-1 design securely cradles sauce cups from most major chains.” I’m not sure it does, but I may have to purchase it for myself to test this theory.
Moki Car Door Step
Price: $34.98
Description: Folding Moki Ascent Door Step: Wide enough to accommodate both feet, our patented folding Moki Ascent vehicle step makes it simple to maintain a balanced standing position and eliminates the need for bulky step stools or ladders
At first, I was like: WTF is this? Everyone seems to be getting ads for this on Instagram, and I’m like Steve Zissou, wondering why I didn’t get hit. After looking at more photos, I now understand what it does. It attaches to the u-shaped door latch and allows you to access the roof without a ladder.
I don’t think this is a big issue for new vehicles, as the latch is a heavily engineered part. On something older? I’d be hesitant. Also, I’m tall, so I don’t care.
This seems useful for other people.
Gear Shift Hoodie Cover
Price: $7.99
Description: Showcase Personality and Fun: The car interior accessories features a cute hoodie design that is creatively appealing. With dozens of color combinations options to choose from, it can be installed on your car’s shift knob to enhance comfort and personalize the interior.
Did you know the modern hoodie was invented in Rochester, New York? Given how cold it is there, I am not surprised. I don’t live in Rochester, but downstate is cold enough.
I was legit driving a car with an aluminum shifter on a cold day and cursed the sting of cold metal (I’m a Texan, forgive me my inability to cope with temperatures below 80 degrees). While I have less of an issue with my BMW, I wouldn’t hate this.
12V Car Fridge/Freezer
Price: $165.99
Description: With Compressor refrigeration technology, this 12v car refrigerator could achieve 15 min fast cooling from 77℉ to 32℉ and 50 min from 77℉ to -5℉, keeping your food fresh. No ice needed, no food spoiled, money and space-saving. Dimension: 22.68*12.60*12.97 in, Weight: 22.27 lb, lightweight
I love that your options here are normal road snack foods like apples, soda, and bananas or… prawns, raw beef, and ice cream. That’s a weird party, but I’d go to it.
Also, 32 quarts is too many quarts. I don’t need that much refrigeration in any of my cars, thank you.
Heart-Shaped Blind Spot Mirrors
Price: $6.99
Description: Heart car accessories not only bring a personalized look, but also have an adjustable design. The driver can adjust the mirror according to his driving habits and road conditions. You can easily adjust the mirror angle to ensure that you can see other vehicles behind or in the blind spot to reduce unnecessary risks. The design combines practicality and stylish, and is a good helper for the driver.
If I had a Nissan Pao or Volkswagen Beetle, I would definitely consider this before realizing that anyone who needs a blind spot mirror on a Pao or a Beetle shouldn’t be driving.
Double Rhinestone Car Engine Start Stop Decoration Ring
Price: $4.99
Description: Push to start button decoration ring made of high quality zinc alloy, which is sturdy and durable, and with Double ring crystals on it, making the product dazzling and beautiful for Car Glam Interior Accessories and Unique Women Gift.
My initial thought was what in the Dartz Prombron is this crap, and that’s still a good thought. I’m mostly bothered that this seller thinks this is only for Unique Women. I think a Unique Man could enjoy this as well.
Car Band-Aid Sticker
Price: $7.15
Description: Effective Damage Cover-Up: Our large car bandaid sticker (24*6.2 inches) effectively conceals dents and tough-to-clean stains on your bumper, providing a fun and creative solution to unsightly damage.
I’m hurt that they tried to make the car look like an AI-fied dented BMW since I have a very real dented BMW. Also, I like how the easy solution to a tough-to-clean stain is a gigantic sticker that immediately draws attention to the problem.
Large Truck Engine, Mechanic Repair Set for Kids
Price: $79.99
Description: This realistic yellow repair vehicle playset is a large-sized toy that comes with 56 pieces of parts and repair tools. It also includes a remote control car key with a simulated lock, LED headlights, DIY stickers, and a detailed specification. Each engine part can be taken apart for repair, providing a realistic and engaging play experience.
Honestly, torn on this one. Other than being able to occupy a child by allowing them to screw in stuff, the lack of fidelity to an actual engine is disappointing. Or maybe it’s super accurate to modern cars because the engine is somehow smaller than all the fake plastic crap on top of it.
6-7 Keychain
Price: $7.93
Description: This keychain features a clean, modern 67 graphic in bold red and green — a simple but instantly recognizable nod to the viral Six Seven meme.
As far as memes go, I suppose this one is relatively innocent. It has no secret, awful white supremacist meaning. I am, however, sick of every person I know under 12 saying this any time the numbers 6 and 7 find one another.
Gadget Finger Lights
Price: $26.99
Description: Light is needed everywhere in life. He/She will definitely need finger lights that frees up their hands. Our hands-free flashlight will surely be an amazing mens Christmas stocking stuffers.
It is hard to argue with “light is needed everywhere in life,” but I think I’d prefer to be in the dark. There’s no way this works, right? It seems like the light is not pointing in the direction I’d actually want?
This gift is a bit of a two-fer, though, in that using it would make me feel and look like an asshole.
Maybe I should send her a link to that book on the Bretton Woods Agreement…
Top graphic images: Amazon
I recommend the Harbor Freight rechargeable 12v plug mini flash light. I don’t keep it in the charger all the time, but it’s handy to have at the ready.
We bought the BougeRV for our camper-van, and it is great. Keeps cold beverages up front while the RV fridge holds our food. No more fights over which is more important. But we still don’t agree on whether to call it Bougé-RV or Booger-5.
Given that “heavily engineered” in 2025 tends to mean “cost-cut to the edge of failure” I’m not sure I would assume a new vehicle has a more robust latch than an old one.
I mean, neither do any of the other alleged white supremacist symbols. They just pick something that is already common and claim it’s theirs because it lets them pretend that someone actually agrees with them. So I fully expect them to co-opt that one too at some point.
Let me tell you, those finger lights? Absolute game changer. No more holding your phone up trying to see behind the the tv to plug in an hdmi cable or getting things out of a packed closet, it’s simple and easy and one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.
Better than the headband-mounted lights?
I think so, they all have their uses however. I’d use a headlamp outdoors for more diffuse light, I’d use the finger lights for tighter spaces because they cast less shadow.
Yes…ENTIRELY. Because that’s how you get ants.
If you want to eat, get out of the car. The car ain’t a dinner table.
I am so with you on this.
Yes. If something falls off or gets spilled, I want it to be on their table and not my lap.
I’d probably starve first. I am pretty sure I have consumed more food behind the wheel (or, previously, in the back seat) than anywhere else in my life.
I am very glad you have your own separate car to attract all of the ants I don’t want in mine. 🙂
Oddly enough, though there are a fistful of spiders lurking in my Cougar these days while I have the seats out, I have never experienced ants in any of my cars. Maybe that’s the spiders’ doing.
TIL through the Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog, my boss gave me a $100 box of candy last year…
She’s weird..
My wife and I tell each other what we want for 1-2 big gifts, then surprise each other with a few cheap stocking stuffers. If the stocking stuffers are duds, it was only a few bucks and no big deal, but we’ve both really hit some winners on cheap simple gifts for each other.
After vacation in Tokyo, we’ve both discovered we really love gachapon trinkets, so those are always fun to open together.
Defector Autopian crossover event of the year?
“This gift is a bit of a two-fer, though, in that using it would make me feel and look like an asshole.” Kudos. That’s a killer line.
This is why my partner and I tell each other what we want. Nobody else does gifts in our group anymore.
I think for a lot of men, once you get above a certain age (30ish?)… the stuff we really want tends to be very specific or technical, and usually too expensive to gift. So for all the wives and gf’s out there…save your money on cheap junk like this, and just feed us and give us your time…and let us buy the stuff we really want ourselves.
I keep telling people I would like some really nice socks, and I never get any. I mean the “gosh these are amazing, but I’m too cheap to buy them myself.” socks. The sure, that guy is going the grocery outlen in a $250,000 SUV but I’m wearing $100 socks and no one thinks I’m an asshole—those socks.
Save a few $ and go for the made in Vermont “Darn Tough” socks – still expensive, but attainable luxury at $20/pair.
Darn Tough socks are great. I’m also a fan of Falke (German brand). Neither is cheap, but both great quality. It’s my default request if anyone wants to get me a gift (although usually end up getting something from Costco anyway, ha).
Good socks have replaced the tie as the go-to dad gift. And I’m ok with that.
Another vote for Darn Tough; I also like SmartWool. Sure they are expensive, but they wear like iron. Cotton hasn’t touched my feet in over 30 years. Even in the summer, the thinner weight ones are great.
Concur on Darn Tough. Smartwool, though, I’ve had a number of pairs and found they do not hold up. I get the thinner ones (not fond of a heavily cushioned sock), but smartwool seem to develop holes in the bottom faster than any other socks I’ve tried. another brand to try for wool socks is defeet.
I was in Vienna in Sept/Oct and saw Falke and regret not buying some.
The lifetime guarantee is nice too. I splurged on my first pair about 10 or 12 years ago and quickly followed that up with more. Finally had to send a pair in a year or so ago and the process was quick and painless.
Costco has a similar style to Darn Tough that is also very good. I am trying out Swiftwick socks, but only had them for a few months. Yeti’s are also a nice treat.
On the cheaper end of the price range, I think the Uniqlo Heattech socks are hard to beat.
Enjoying this discussion here on Socktopian…
And parents. Mom is bummed that she can’t get me a lot of stuff for Christmas since I moved out of driving distance, but I am *ecstatic.* She’s picked up over the years that I really, really don’t enjoy a lot of weird gadgets and little tchotchkes because like my Grandpa, I would just leave them in the box forever.
Honestly, cash in a box or another Puffalump works just fine. I love Puffalumps! I will always adopt another Puffalump.
(And if my mom is reading this and gets any ideas: no. Just no. All of the above: no.)
OK. I own the glove lights. I was skeptical, but they have proven their worth while working under the dash of my small British sports car. Other light sources create shadows but the light from the gloves stays aimed at the task at – uh – hand.
i’ve got a set as well, and they’re pretty great. don’t use them often, though
Ew.
Someone told my daughter that if you say “6-7” while doing the movement, you get cursed by the Ash People. This has severely curtailed her usage of it.
I dunno who the Ash People are, but I’ve learned to not question things.
The Ash People are the people who make the frames for Morgans.
Wow Matt, thanks for illuminating my awareness into that Bretton Woods history. World banking meeting of top postwar superpowers right in NH! To me it was only a ski mountain not far away from where I live. Ironically I’m currently reading the E.F.Schumacher book Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered. He completely busts Keynes theory of economics by page 33 and even though it’s written in the late 1960’s, its scary how his warnings are coming to pass. Keynes wrote that economic progress was dependent on avarice and usury (extreme greed and unfairly high interest rates) for at least 100 years. That was in the 1930’s. Look where we are now. Not economic prosperity for everyone, just for the very top elites while everyone else suffers. I wish people would wake up and realize it’s not Red vs. Blue and so on, it should be seen as the Rich vs. the Rest of Us.
My grasp of economics is weak, so I totally expect to get schooled by other Autopian readers now.
It’s been a while since I was there so I’m not sure if they still have it, but the Mount Washington Hotel (or Omni Resort whatever it’s called now) used to have a mini museum about the Bretton Woods Agreement, worth a stop if you’re in the area.
Very cool to know! Thanks for sharing. I drove by it yesterday on the way from Maine to VT, but it was snowing and I had many miles more to go. I’ve never stopped at the Mount Washington Hotel but have always been interested in staying there. Out of my pay grade even in midlife though.
I love Christmas. I love this site. I love the writers here. Please don’t do this. Best wishes.
So many of these ideas deserve an Autopian logo on them! The hoodie! The bandaid! The sauce cup holder with an “Autopian approved!” seal on it. Yes!
the sauce cup holder with “The Autopian” and the logo is a genius idea for members as a little swag item!
Autopian car bandaids would be a hit.
I actually bought small car bandaids off Amazon after some inconsiderate lout dinged my rear passenger door right at the character line where it was super obvious. I never did schlap one on there, but if I could get Autopian-branded ones in the right size, I think I’d have to do it.
An avocado. Thanks.
I read this while not fully awake in the morning, and now I feel like I’ve stepped into some alien dimension. WTF are all these crap lol
The sauce bracket had me double-checking that this wasn’t a Torch article. I’m still not sure.
This seems like another opportunity for a driving while eating rally test…
The makers of the 6-7 keychain missed the prime opportunity to make the price $6.70. Day ruined lol.
I’ve taken to pretending the “67” thing is a clever way of getting American kids to eventually say “at sixes and sevens” which is an English idiom with history and backstory. Ironically, the fact that 6 7 means nothing does leave me at sixes and sevens.
At sixes and sevens – Wikipedia https://share.google/yeV3FULVSJqdwU2pZ
6 7 may mean nothing, but 6 x 7 = 42, which is the answer to life, the universe, and everything!
But what is the question? 6 x 8 = ? I actually don’t remember and am too tired to look.
If people were actually reasonable and bought sedans and wagons like god intended, we wouldn’t need some silly Moki Car Door Step to clean/reach the roof of a CUV.
Further proof that CUV’s are the work of the devil.
I saw one of those advertised to me on instagram a year ago and was intrigued for a minute until I remembered thats why I drive a station wagon not an SUV. Even ski-racks and cargo boxes are easily in reach for me or my wife with no risk of forgetting the step and slamming a door on it.