Smart Gift Ideas for Mechanics and Apprentices

Holidays are drawing near, and it’s time to buy presents for our friends and family, but not just any present! Custom presents for mechanics are especially meaningful because you are showing them that you value their job of choice and want to see them happy with something they like. With over 44.000 mechanics in Canada, there is a flourishing industry around mechanic supplies and custom gifts, so they will be easy to find. From all-purpose tools to specific gadgets any mechanic needs in their garage, there is a wide range of presents you can get for this holiday season.

If you don’t belong to the car repair world… get informed first!

One of the biggest challenges of choosing a gift for a friend or a relative who is into a hobby or a job is that often we don’t know much about it, so we are quite lost. If you want to pick a present for someone who repairs cars, or is learning to do it, you might feel a little clueless about what to buy. If this is the case, the first thing you need to do is to get informed by reading material published on authority, professional sites, and blogs. Our friends at Chicmoto cover many of these topics with the interesting spin of being written in a female voice for a mostly female audience, which can help a lot to put everyone on the same page.

Blogs can also cover a wider range of subjects, and still have material that focuses on repair and cool gadgets, just make sure that the author has experience and knowledge on the field. You can also ask other friends and relatives for advice, just make sure they don’t blow the surprise!

Handy tools for auto repairmen

Any mechanic will be up for some inventory upgrade. Apprentices, in particular, will deeply appreciate any tool that you can get them because gearing up for the job can be quite expensive, and any help will make a great difference. Some tools and gadgets are indispensable, and making a contribution with a basic implement will be a great gesture towards an apprentice who is taking their first steps in the business.

If you want to go the safe route, a good-quality toolkit is always a good idea. For example, check this 18-Volt Impact Wrench by Milwaukee: it’s affordable, very useful and really convenient with its lithium batteries, and crafted by one of the best tool brands in the world.

Now, good quality and trendy tools can be expensive. If you want to go for some more budget-friendly presents instead, there are smart little gadgets you can choose that are still cool and unbelievably handy. Especially if you are trying to find a gift for a young mechanic who just bought his first tool chest.

Something many mechanics would love to have is a magnetic wristband for their screws, nails, drilling bits and other small pieces. Some of the latest models such as the Magnelex magnetic wristband feature up to nine powerful magnets placed inside breathable cloth with a Velcro fastening system that allows the wristband to adapt to virtually any arm.

Gadgets for on-the-go checkups and repair

One of the perks of being knowledgeable in car repair is that you get to show off your proficiency if your car breaks down in the middle of the road. These cool gadgets will help any auto mechanics enthusiast keep their car in shape and perform a few lesser fixes by themselves. One of the most original, and more useful, gifts you can give is a mini digital tire pressure gauge, that they can use to check the inner pressure of their tires and therefore their driving safety. Our pick is the AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge: it fits comfortably in your hand with its 7.9″ of length and ergonomic grip, and the digital screen displays pressure in PSI, BAR, Kgf/cm or kPa. It comes with batteries and an automated shut-off system for energy saving.

One of the most annoying problems any car owner will have to face when on the street is batteries running out. Who hasn’t left the lights on at some point? Whatever the reason, instead of waiting for a tow truck or a technician, our mechanic can jumpstart their own car with a portable car jump starter.

One of the best kits out there is the Stanley J5C09 that puts out 1000 peak Amperes and comes with an integrated LED light to help you see in the dark. This 2-in-1 pack includes an air compressor that serves 120 PSI, perfect for inflating low-pressure tires. The jump starter comes with a 12V DC power outlet for charging smaller devices like phones, so you’ll never lose communication if stranded by the highway.

Garage hacks for the whole team to enjoy

There are some original items that you can give to make the garage a better and more fun place to be at, and if there is a team working there, everyone will be grateful of your present. Just as an example: the weather can get pretty merciless during the winter, especially up north, and wearing scarves and gloves is not the most comfortable thing when you’re replacing gears or changing fluids. So a nice detail would be a propane garage heater that makes the place comfier for everyone. The most popular propane garage heater in Canada is the Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy: the most efficient in the market. It heats up to 225 square feet and is powered by a 1-liter propane tank. It complies with all safety standards and comes with an automatic shut-off system that will prevent any accident from happening.

The choice is yours

The list of presents you could give is very long and full of options. You know your friends and family far better than we do, so you will realize which of these items is best for a holiday present – or any gift, for that matter.

Original? Utilitarian? Funny?

Think about what’s best and make your choice!