We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A roadside emergency kit filled with any and everything they could need in the case of an emergency. And when I say it's filled to the brim, it totally is! From a glass breaker to a tire inflator — whatever the situation is, this little kit has them covered.
This kit includes repair cable ties, bungee cords, electrical tape, space blanket, rain poncho, reflective warning triangle, glass breaker, seatbelt cutter, safety gloves, tow rope, a digital auto tire inflator, 12-ft. jumper cables, a flashlight, and a 108-piece first aid kit.
Promising review: "This saved me on the way to work. I've had it for two weeks and noticed one of my tires was at 12 psi. I was so fortunate to have this, the air compressor worked great it was exactly what I needed and very easy to use." —Morgan McClain
Get it from Amazon for $64.95.
2. A registration and insurance holder so they always know exactly where their important documents are rather than having to search through the stack of napkins in their glove compartment.
This waterproof organizer has a ton of pockets from small to large and a magnetic closure so it stays shut.
Promising review: "This is perfect for those whose glove box gets a little out of hand from time to time! The holder is sturdy and perfectly sized for standard registration and insurance documents. No matter what else is going on, your important documents will be within reach with no problem. Black is always sleek and matches with interiors. I'd recommend it." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colors).
3. A portable wireless touch screen because they're soooo sad that their car doesn't have the fancy screen with Apple CarPlay. Ta-daaa, now it does! And they don't even have to disassemble their car console — just throw it on the dashboard! It can rotate 360 degrees, supports Androids and iOS devices, and has voice control so they can set their GPS and make phone calls hands-free!
Promising review: "Extremely easy installation process, I was literally done within minutes. I specifically got it for the Apple CarPlay, it gives me full control of my device at a fraction of the cost. It also gives my older model vehicle a very noticeable upgrade. The unit is well built from the touch screen to the mounting system, and the suction mount has not given up on me once even in this high California heat. I would definitely recommend anyone to purchase." —Santos arevalos
Get it from Amazon for $99.89.
4. A front and rear dash cam with night vision that'll come in handy when that person hits them on the highway and tries to tell their insurance that they hit them. Aht aht! We have camera proof over here! Its got built-in GPS and records the driving route, speed, and location so they have allll the evidence they need in case of an accident.
Promising review: "Bought this for my hubby for Christmas. Easy install in our minivan. Less than five months later, hubby was in an accident that totaled our vehicle. This camera captured every detail, down to GPS coordinates, which allowed for easy proof that the other driver was at fault. Open and shut case, all thanks to this wonderful piece of technology! The videos and still shots from both front and rear cameras are CRYSTAL clear. And after everything, the product still works! Thankfully, my hubby is okay, and our bases are covered because of this product. I will be purchasing two more of these, one for our replacement vehicle and one for our daughter's car. All families need this!" —A. Mullaney
Get it from Amazon for $149.99.
5. A pack of three Febreeze car vent clips to keep their car smelling fresh even when they throw their gym bag full of sweaty clothes in the back seat. These things will fight the funk for up to 30 days so they'll basically get 90 days of freshness.
6. Or an adorable little Bath & Body Works clip-on car fragrance holder with a snail sitting on a mushroom. They've got a ton of scents to choose from, and it'll add a little pizazz to their new ride.
7. ORRRRR a so stinkin' cute hanging air freshener that totally gives Renaissance tour (Beyoncé) vibes and is way more unique than the little gas station ones. This little freshie will have their car looking like the party vehicle everyone wants to take a ride in.
Ash Crafts and Co. is a Montgomery, Texas-based small biz that specializes in the most creatively cute car air fresheners.
Promising review: "I've bought freshies from other shops, but this shop is by far my FAVORITE. The owner pays great attention to detail and does amazing work. I reached out to her with a question, and she responded promptly. I highly recommend this shop!" —Amber
Get it from Ash Crafts and Co. on Etsy for $13 (available in 28 scents).
8. A vinyl decal because they swear that curbs jump in front of them. The only thing worst than hitting a curb is looking up and seeing someone staring. But whatevaaa, this decal says it best — if you saw me hit the curb, no you didn't.
Sensitive by Andi is a small biz on Etsy that specializes in adorable little funny decal stickers.
Promising review: "I AM OBSESSED! People ask me all the time where I got my decal! If you can’t drive and are proud of it, I 10/10 recommend this!" —Hannah Terry
Get it from Sensitive by Andi on Etsy for $6.50+ (available in 28 colors).
9. A diagnostic code reader that'll identify their car problems or save your new car shopper from purchasing a used car that's a total dud. Plus, they won't have to pay a mechanic a ridiculous amount to tell them what's wrong with their car.
Promising review: "I purchased this after my Ford was misfiring. Plugged it in, it gave me a code, and a quick internet search told me to check ignition wires. Replaced them, perfect solution. Then my Hyundai check engine light came on. Plugged it in, code suggested the gas cap was loose. Saved $175 test fee." —ACB
Get it from Amazon for $69.99.
10. A charging phone mount so they can use their GPS hands-free anddd quickly get their phone fully charged. All they gotta do is drop their phone into the mount, and it'll automatically clamp and begin charging their phone. It can also rotate so they can place their phone anyyyy way they please!
The charger is compatible with most smartphones.
Promising review: "Unbelievably reliable. I am an Uber/Lyft driver, and I have tried many gadgets to reliably charge and hold my phone. This is not only a strong mount, it also charges the phone while I am running my apps and GPS. The suction is strong; I have not moved it since it was placed, and with many hours and miles of bumpy roads, it is still solidly in place. I think it is well worth the price and highly recommend to any delivery drivers." —Robert E Johnson
Get it from Amazon for $28.69+ (available in three colors).
11. A funny little banana peel decal that'll get a chuckle out of them and anyone who hops into their car. Mario Kart FTW.
Artsaholic is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based small biz that specializes in custom vinyl designs.
Promising review: "Awesome! Perfect addition to my Subaru Outback Wilderness. I grin every time I see it." —Jeremiah M.
Get it from Artsaholic on Etsy for $3+ (available in 16 colors and seven styles).
12. An LED-lit car visor mirror so they can check their hair in the dark no problem. This baby provides a dimmable ring light effect so they can be sure that they arrive everywhere looking FABULOUS. Andddd take awesome car selfies while sitting in their driveway, of course.
This amazing vanity-style car mirror is rechargeable and can be plugged right into your charging plug. It also has a memory function that'll keep the mirror set to how you last used it and suits most car visors. Picture it, stepping out of the car at night knowing you're SERVING because you checked how you look in the parking lot before hopping out the car.
Promising review: "I love EVERYTHING about this visor mirror. First, you can charge it up for use when needed. Second, there is a choice of lighting: bright white, soft yellow, or mild yellow. Third, both types of light are dimmable so you can control the brightness. Fourth, the lights go all the way around the mirror. Fifth, because it plugs into the cigarette lighter to charge, you never have batteries to replace. You never have the expense nor the hassle. Sixth, this product is well-designed. The hook and loop straps work perfectly to secure it to any visor making it a universal fit for practically all vehicles. This product is highly recommended." —Heather M.
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in three colors).
13. Or a clip-on panoramic rear view mirror to give them a wider look at what's behind them, which will provide them with a safer driving experience. This mirror said "what's a blind spot?"
Promising review: "This is huge! I can see both me and my husband's face in it sometimes while driving. The regular one with the car is about four to five inches smaller. I bought this because I'm a new driver who wears glasses, and I have high anxiety so I wanna make sure I see everything. I also bought blind spot mirrors for every window." —Joy
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors).
14. A pack of two Dip Clips so they can eat easily when they stop for food without having to try and juggle their nuggets and BBQ sauce. Such a clever little invention!
Saucemoto is a small biz founded in 2017 with a goal of designing and manufacturing world-changing products.
Promising review: "This is the greatest invention. I’m in my car a lot and anytime I order any fast food I always have to order dip, doesn’t matter what I’m eating. This thing came in handy not only for me but my son, too. Perfect for me because it comes with two holders and I like at least two dips at a time. I know I’m making this out to sound like it’s a billion dollar invention but I just love it. It’s a very handy thing to have in your car. I’m forever spilling my sauces all over the place because there is nowhere to put them, and then I saw this and knew I just had to try it. It’s a total game changer in my car. Thanks to whoever invented this. It’s GREAT!!" —Denise
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors and in multipacks).
15. A set of two car coasters to catch any drips or spills from their morning iced coffee. They'll be able to keep a tidy vehicle with these absolutely adorable coasters, and it'll add some character to their little ride.
Pure Collection Art is a Istanbul, Turkey-based woman-owned small biz that specializes in handmade organic, vegan, eco-friendly car coasters, mug rugs, and more.
Promising review: "The two car coasters were everything I wanted and SO much more. I’m absolutely obsessed with them. The detail and quality are amazing. Seeing them in my car brings me so much joy. I couldn’t be more happy with how they turned out. Also, the packaging and note was a cute added touch." —Olivia
Get a set of two from Pure Collection Art on Etsy for $11.25 (available in 12 designs).
16. A portable air compressor with an LED light so they don't have to scramble for quarters to use the gas station pump for that one tire with a slow leak. Plus, it's cordless and small and can fit right into their glove box.
It can be used for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bikes. It comes with a car tire inflator, an air hose with schrader attached, one general nozzle cone, a needle adapter, a presta adapter, a USB-C charging cable, one carrying case, and a user manual.
Promising review: "This is great for whenever you need it. I've used it multiple times on several vehicles, and I love that you can set it and leave it because it automatically shuts off when it reaches your desired setting. No more driving to the gas station and searching for quarters just to top off your tires before a roadtrip! The only negative side is that it takes a little longer to fill up than at a gas station machine." —Anonymous Person
Get it from Amazon for $79+ (available in five sizes).
17. A set of Energizer jumper cables for when they learn the hard way that they need to remember to turn off their headlights. It's always awful when the car battery dies, but what's more awful is having no cables to jumpstart it back up. These are a total must-have.
Promising reviews: "Praise the LORD! It was a gift for my niece that came very in handy. Her trunk light was left on and drained her battery. She was able to use the cables right away to get a jump. It surprised her to see how easy they were to use." —Delia
"These are great jumper cables — plenty long enough to jump cars or trucks that are beside, behind, or in front of the vehicle you’re trying to jump. I got the 20-foot heavy gauge cables." —MJ32
Get them from Amazon for $15.97+ (available in seven lengths/gauges).
18. A Shark Tank-approved set of two car seat gap fillers so nothing falls into that little car gap, also known as the Bermuda Triangle. Will be super useful if they're, like, clumsy and drop literally everything into this black hole.
The seat gap filler is flexible and fits into most cars. The pack comes with two gap fillers (one for both the driver and passenger sides), a sticky pad for keeping items like your phone from sliding around, and an LED car light.
Promising review: "I have to admit, my expectations weren't very high. I thought it was more of a joke when my husband got this for me for Christmas. Little did I realize, it would be one of my favorite gadgets ever! I don't know if I realized just how many things went missing in my seat gap. It has really saved a lot of things from disappearing into that black hole. It was easy enough to fit into my car and it's soft! It's just like an extension of my seat, except it fits every curve of my seat! There really isn't another product that compares to this. That's why I gave it 5 stars!" —Tessa Forbes
Get a pair from Amazon for $24.99.
19. A heated seat pad because their car doesn't have seat warmers and soon winter weather is gonna hit us, and they're gonna be shivering the first 10 minutes of their morning commute EVERY SINGLE DAY. Let's not do that and get this heated cover to keep their booties and backs warm. These'll plug right into their car cigarette plug to ensure a toasty ride.
Pretty sweet, right? BUT be sure to UNPLUG it so your car battery doesn't die!
Promising review: "My truck is older and doesn't have the fancy options. This heated cushion is great on cold mornings. It heats up fast and evenly. It's also great if you have a bad back to help loosen the muscles. Before, I would arrive at work with my back tense from the cold. This helps a lot and my muscles aren't tensed up while driving. One of the best 'treat myself' purchases that I've made." —CountryGal
Get it from Amazon for $54.99.
20. A bottle of Rain-X Original Windshield Treatment to help improve driving visibility and wiper blade performance in wet weather so they don't have a freakout moment during a big downpour since they can't. see. ANYTHING. Rain, snow, and sleet are no match for this magical repellant.
Readers also use this to keep their eyeglasses from fogging!
Promising review: "I had a cheap, untempered windshield that was awful in the rain. A friend of mine from college recommended Rain-X and I was shocked at the difference. I applied it with a soft rag and sat there wondering if it was even on properly. I trusted the system and then later that night took my car out for a drive; it rained while I was out and the difference was instantly noticeable. Before, when using my wipers, streaks would obscure my view so much that any lights would make driving in the rain hard. Now, the droplets don't smear and smaller ones sometimes just roll off. It's pretty great." —Alison J. Gong
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
21. An aux cord so they can listen to their fave playlist on their phone. Because who wants to sit through all those car radio commercials and then listen to the same three songs the stations play over and over? They'll be able to blast their Taylor Swift songs all day without interruption.
This jack is compatible with any device that has a 3.5mm aux port.
Promising review: "I needed an aux cord for my car. I bought this thinking it was gonna be a cheap buy. I was wrong. It works perfectly, and the color is very pretty. It was compatible with my phone and car." —Sierra
Get it from Amazon for $7.45+ (available in eight lengths and two colors).
22. A citrus-scented foaming car upholstery cleaner in case they spill their Slurpee on their seats. They'll be able to skip expensive car detailing prices and make those stains disappear like *magic*. 🪄
Check out a TikTok of the car upholstery cleaner in action.
Promising review: "So I had a spot on my dash that I wanted to clean and grabbed this stuff because I figured my car could use some TLC over the years. Well, I went to clean one small part and ended up almost detailing the entire inside of both front and back driver and passenger side doors. It worked so well, so fast, and smelled so good that I couldn't stop. My car looks brand-new!" —Michael
Get it from Amazon for $18.98+ (available in two sizes and 12 styles).
23. A set of interior LED lights so their car can look like the jellyfish party from SpongeBob. They can control these babies from an app on their phone, and they can even be synced with their music to add the drama they want while listening to "Alien Superstar."
Promising reviews: "For the price, these lights are so worth it! There are so many different things you can do with the modes, and my car has become the designated party car after installing these lights. My favorite is the night setting which I use on my long drives while I listen to music which is so calming. Highly highly recommend if you are wanting something fun in your car! Cords do show a bit so I just try and hide them as best as I can." —Marleigh
"My sister asked for these to put in her first car for some added lighting effect. She was able to install them herself very easily, and they look super cool! I highly recommend this product!" —E
Get them from Amazon for $16.99 (originally $16.99).
24. A container of car putty that's reusable and will get into all the nooks and crannies of their car. The crud and dust stick to the putty, resulting in a clean car that looks like it's been detailed. Easy AND fun, 'cause, like, who doesn't love playing with putty?
It can also be used on your laptop keyboard and it smells like cherry blossoms! Store it in a cool, dry place so that it doesn't melt and get all gooey.
Promising review: "I love this product. My car is finally clean now that I can get into all of those little areas I cannot clean with regular paper towels or cloths. I loved it so much I bought them as stocking stuffers and gifts for coworkers this Christmas. Great item!" —Emily
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
25. A Mean Girls wristlet keychain for the Mean Girls-obsessed person in your life. I can't think of a better way to store your car keys than a "get in loser" lanyard.
Happy Bag Co. is a Brighton, Michigan-based small biz that specializes in handmade keychains.
Promising review: "Love this keychain so much!!!!!! Makes me smile every time I see it! Don’t walk, run! Buy it!" —Taylor
Get it from Happy Bag Co. on Etsy for $12 (available in four styles, 16 tassel colors, or without tassels).
26. An audio adapter because their car doesn't have a Bluetooth pairing option. Muahahahaha, it does now! Take that, car dealership — Bluetooth upgrade without needing to upgrade their vehicle, system, or car note. Hands-free calls, here we comeeee.
It'll let you answer calls at the touch of a button, and is designed to easily let you skip or pause through songs.
Promising review: "Searched online to find the best performing Bluetooth car adapter and this product was on the list. Ordered one to try it out and was VERY HAPPY with how well it worked. Ordered THREE more to give as gifts, and all three recipients are amazed by this product's performance. It pairs easily to any phone. I listen to Amazon Music, make phone calls and use GPS in my vehicle. Sound comes through vehicle speakers. Clear quality. One of my friends was planning to spend $200 plus to have a new system put into her vehicle so she could have Bluetooth capability. She bought this little device and saved herself over $180!! I HIGHLY recommend this product!" —MKerch
Get it from Amazon for $14.69+ (available in six colors).
27. A dent puller kit so when they *accidentally* back into that huge pole in the parking spot they're trying to get into (seriously, why the heck are those there?!), they can easily get the dent outta their new ride.
The kit comes with two sized pullers — the smaller one reaches 121-lb. suction power while the larger one reaches 165 lbs.
Promising review: "I was a little skeptical about this product, but it actually does work! I accidentally dented my the rear of my car pretty bad and wanted to see if I could get it out. I poured some boiling hot water and then used the smaller suction, and it worked!!! I highly recommend this product if you're looking to get a dent out quick and easy without having to spend $500+ going to a repair shop." —Pheebs
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
28. A backseat hook to hang their purse or groceries on. Now they won't have to listen to their wine bottles roll around in the back as they drive 🙈 — problem solved!
Promising review: "I thought this might be one of the silly things I sometimes fall for. Nope. These are awesome. I keep one on the driver's side headrest and the other on the passenger side. I prefer to use the passenger one, because I can reach into my purse from the driver's seat, but if I've got extra people in the car, it's nice to have the flexibility to keep my purse on either side. Also, they fit very snugly and are tough. My purse easily weighs 20 pounds, and it never looks like they're strained." —Kendra
Get a set of two from Amazon for $5.99 (available in two colors).
29. A water bottle cup holder adapter so their huge, bulky, favorite water bottle can fit into the cup holder like that glass slipper fit Cinderella's foot ever so perfectly.
Wine and Whiskey Co. is a small biz on Etsy that specializes in custom tees, mugs, and hoodies.
Promising review: "I had to remove the foam wrap that was on it for it to fit in my cup holder, but now it works perfectly. No more having my water bottle in the seat next to me, rolling on the floor, or spilling 'cause I forgot to close it! Yay!" —sprocketnellie
Get it from Wine and Whiskey Co. on Etsy for $12.99.
30. A sleek mini trash can that they can put in the cup holder or backseat pockets to keep their car nice and clean. Plus, it's, like, aesthetically gorg.
Promising review: "Fits perfect in the cup holder on the side of my door, which is where I tend to hoard the most trash. If it ever gets dirty it washes easily. The lid comes on and off, easily making it easy to just dump it every time I'm at the gas station. I saw this on TikTok and it turned out to be a great impulse buy." —Jacqueline Todd
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
31. A key alarm so that losing their keys is NEVER an issue. If they're a bit forgetful and lose their keys pretty much on a daily basis, they'll think this alarm is Heaven-sent. It is both iOS- and Android-compatible, is water-resistant, and can find their key out of Bluetooth range by showing them — through an app — their last Bluetooth tracked location. This is gonna be a life-changer, friends.
Promising review: "I love this product, I'm always losing my keys and these help a lot. One time, I lost my phone at Target after putting it down but after walking around the store and pressing my Tile I was able to hear my phone go off from 50 feet away. These are lifesaving for people who constantly are looking for their things." —Lanelle
Get it from Amazon for $16.49+ (available in six packs and colors).
32. A pair of plush fuzzy dice to decorate their car. They're so squishy, they won't be able to resist giving them a squeeze every time they get into their ride.
33. A set of lightweight escape tracks if your giftee has to brave a snowy tundra every time they want to do a Target run. Yes, this gift is less cool and more practical, but they will be thanking you when they get trapped in the snow and remember that they have these puppies in their trunk.
34. A three-pocket folding car trunk organizer for your friend who doesn't exactly have a reputation of being neat and tidy. Velcro keeps it from sliding around while driving and it also folds down for easy storage when not in use.
35. A super comfy memory foam seat cushion that their butt and back will thank you for — especially when they go on that quintessential cross-country road trip.
36. A cordless vacuum so that their nice, clean, new car *stays* nice, clean and new — even after a beach day.
37. And a console side pocket that will not only help keep their phone from falling into the abyss betwixt the seats, but also includes a loose change caddy, a long pocket for their phone and wallet, AND an extra cup holder.
When they receive their new coasters:
