I remember one summer, when my kids were younger, my oldest chose going to the Holocaust Memorial in Miami, instead of the local waterpark. All was fine until my car started to overheat. We couldn’t find a place to park anywhere. In a panic, I ended up pulling into the parking lot of a local highschool. Thankfully, it was open for summer classes. I explained the situation to the office, which assured me that I could park my car there. After several phone calls, a tow truck came to bring my car to a nearby garage. Then I piled my kids into a relative’s work van where the seats weren’t even attached properly. My youngest sat belted to my lap in the front of the van with me praying we didn’t get into an accident. Thanks to the mechanics, my car was fixed by the end of the day and we were able to drive home safely.
We don’t really think about mechanics much until we have an emergency. They are the behind-the-scenes heroes that make our comfortable lives possible. We have put together these great gifts for mechanics so you can show them how important they really are.
1. Lego Classic Car Models
Cool gifts for mechanics
Who can resist Legos or classic cars? Pair them together into one present, and you have a cool gift for an auto mechanic.
My mechanic loves classic cars. He owns one that he takes to car shows. In the waiting area of his garage, he has diecast model cars on view in a display case. I think any mechanic would appreciate one of these as a gift.
If you are looking for a funny mechanic gift, get a classic hot wheels car. One year when I was a teen, I asked my dad what he wanted for Christmas. He jokingly responded that he wanted a new car. So, as a funny gift I got him a classic Hot Wheels car in a model I knew he would want. While my dad isn’t a mechanic, he got a kick out of this gift and kept telling his friends about it. Toy cars make great stocking stuffers for all ages.
2. Richard Petty Driving Experience
Really good gifts for mechanics
What is a good gift for a mechanic? Mechanics spend all day fixing cars, why not give them the opportunity to race one? They can drive for 5 minutes or up to 48 minutes with this bucket list worthy gift.There are locations across the USA, so you should be able to find one that works for you.
They may work on cars all day, but would they like to build one? Give them a book about how to build a hot rod. This is a great mechanic dad gift for bonding time with a teen.
3. Creeper Seat
Gifts for car mechanics
Whether working in a garage or on their own car in the driveway, a creeper seat is a must for easily sliding back and forth from under the vehicle.
For looking into an engine, a topside creeper is great. These adjust to make it easier for working on engines that are harder to reach, like those in trucks and vans.
You can also get them a kneeling pad to reduce pressure on their knees when working closer to the ground.
4. Car Decanter
Retired mechanic gifts
Instead of a boring old plaque as a retirement gift, why not get a cool car themed decanter? Decanters are a great retirement gift for any job, but a car themed decanter is perfect for a mechanic. You don’t even have to wait until they retire to give it to them.
Or get an airplane decanter for retired airplane mechanics.
Maybe they just like beer. Then give them a retirement beer caddy instead. Most even come with a built-in bottle opener.
5. Flashlight Gloves
Stocking stuffers gifts for mechanics
Sometimes mechanics need to get to a place where the lighting is not so great. I remember as a kid, my dad making me shine a flashlight so he could see what he was doing. These flashlight gloves shine light right from the fingers, so they can work even when they don’t have an assistant.
Multi Tool pens are a useful gift for just about anyone. In addition to writing, most come with a ruler, screwdriver, plus additional functions.
If you know someone who works on cars, you also know that grease doesn’t come off with ordinary soap. Slip some grease monkey soap into their stocking to get their hands squeaky clean.
6. Jerky Gift Basket
Christmas gifts for mechanics
Gift baskets are big business during the holidays. A jerky basket will give them some protein filled energy boosts between meals.
Or give them a coffee gift basket to give them that extra boost of caffeine throughout the day.
So they don’t have to spend their hard earned money on vending machine snacks, opt for a snack gift basket. Then they can bring their snacks from home. If you are the garage owner, get a super sized snack basket as a gift for the mechanics at your garage to munch on.
7. Diagnostic Scan Tools
Gift ideas for mechanics
Everything is digital nowadays, so mechanics need diagnostic tools to scan for problems, instead of with old fashioned elbow grease. Most of these work in conjunction with a cell phone. These gadgets can be used in addition to their usual scanning equipment or by amateur mechanics who don’t have access to professional scanners.
An endoscope has a small camera that can hook up to a phone screen to see into hard to reach places.
And of course, they will need a battery tester to see how much juice is left in the powerhouse.
You might want to take a look at gifts for other jobs too!
8. Customized Garage Sign
Personalized mechanic gifts
Looking for something super special that says you will go that extra mile for them? Get a customized garage sign. It doesn’t matter if they have their own garage or just want to hang it in their work space at home.
You can also get them a personalized tumbler to stay hydrated at work, or to use for morning coffee. I love the ones that look like dripping oil filters.
Most guys have that favorite car they reminisce about from their youth, or a dream car they have yet to attain. Get them a custom car portrait made from a photo of that vehicle.
9. Rolling Toolbox
Best gifts for mechanics
These are handy for easily getting tools to wherever they are working.
Of course, tools wear out, so a set of new hand tools is always welcome.
Additional tool trays for their tool box can make finding small hardware easier.
10. Mechanics Coffee Mug
Funny gifts for mechanics
I love these mugs that look like tools or tires.
T-shirts with mechanic sayings are great to wear to work or on days off.
Do you know someone who loves practical jokes? Give them a container of one of these prank fluids. Don’t worry. Anyone who knows anything about cars will know they are fake, so you don’t need to worry about them actually using it.
11. Magnetic Pickup Stick
Useful gifts for mechanics
We’ve all had it happen. We go to reach for something and knock it over. Our hands are sweaty, and that screw slips from our grasp. It’s as if these objects end up somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle. A magnetic pick up stick can reach in those hard to access places to secure those pieces of metal.
For searching larger areas under a vehicle, give them a magnetic sweeper to access small parts.
Another good gift for a mechanic is a magnetic fender cover. These stick onto the vehicle so the finish doesn’t get scratched and smeared with grease.
12. Grinders and Polishers
Presents for mechanics who do body work
Someone has to fix the outside of the car. Those guys need special equipment for getting surfaces ready for paint.
If they already have machinery in good condition, you can always get them more buffing and polishing pads.
You can also get them some upholstery and trim tools to work on the interior and trim.
13. Bluetooth Headphones with Hearing Protection
Gifts for a mechanic boyfriend
Mechanic shops can get really loud with all that equipment running. Protect his hearing while allowing him to listen to his favorite tunes.
For his own car, get him a complete car care kit. These come with everything needed to clean and polish his car from top to bottom, so he can treat it as if it was his first born child.
If he likes to read, you can give him a book on the history of cars or about car technology. Many of these come in hardcover versions with lots of pictures, making them great for displaying in the home.
14. Neck Fan
Novelty gifts for mechanics
It gets hot working on cars. The bays are kept open to dispel exhaust fumes which defeats the purpose of air conditioning. They can at least feel the air circulating with one of these cooling neck fans.
Everyone needs pens, whether at work or at home. Why not get some tool pens that look like pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches?
Or get them a headlamp beanie. This way their head can stay warm while shining light where they are working.
15. No Scratch Belt
What do you get a guy who likes to work on cars?
Looking for an extra mechanic gift for him? Get him a no scratch belt to hold up his pants. There is no actual metal in the belt, so he won’t scratch up the car’s finish while working on it
You can also give him a magnetic wristband to keep track of those small metal parts that easily get lost.
He will also need a pair of sturdy work gloves.
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