Car Mama's 2010 Gift Guide, Part I

Car Mama's 2010 Gift Guide is here to help you find the right gift for those people in your life who drive. Prices range from $4.99 to $64,000. See Part II and Part III for other great ideas.

Commuter

Those who commute spend more solitary time in their cars than most of us, so they need accessories for their vehicle that keeps them comfortable and alert. (Unless they carpool, of course, and then they need some quiet time when they get home.) My husband's car fluctuates every month between hasn't-lost-that-new-car-smell and having a backseat full of old Wall Street Journal's and empty water bottles. When I get in the passenger seat I usually sit on a pair of headphones, a Blackberry case, or a pair of sunglasses. So perhaps a litter bag and an organizer should top his Christmas list...

• 2 Bodum travel mugs (an extra allows for washing time)
• A cell phone charger (depends on the brand)
• The Smart Grip Pad from The Container Store
• A Bluetooth Speaker for the visor; Here's one from Costco (not an ear piece: "Bluetooth is not jewelry" according to my husband)
• Driving Gloves (these are for men, check site for women's)
• Sirius Satellite Radio
• For the commuter who has everything, or easily forgets his/her initials, customized floor mats (Thanks to Twitter follower @Icantbeme for the suggestion.)
• An Audi A4: a comfy, safe car with cool headlights

Mom

Whether you're a Stay-At-Home-&-Work Mom or a Go-Somewhere Else-&-Work Mom, you likely have the car that chauffeurs kids to school, practices, games, the park, etc. Mom's need reliable, safe vehicles that can take a beating from kids. Some of us spend way more time in our cars each day than we would like, so here are some suggestions to make that time more enjoyable. Or at least less stressful.

• A to-go coffee cup handle from The Container Store (or a Bodum Travel Mug)
• Tissue Holder & Litter Bag 
• Some cool hats that don't scream "Chauffeur!"
• An Oreck Car Vacuum (One light enough for the kids to use: You make the mess, you clean the mess.)
• A Life Hammer for emergencies (Keep Away from tantrum prone toddlers)
• A Backup Camera (I didn't know you could install these after market...)
• Gloves for colder days
• Trunk/Cargo Organizer (I have this one from The Container Store)
• AAA Membership (Mine came in handy recently)
• A NASCAR Roadside Emergency Kit (Just try to keep your NASCAR-crazed preschoolers from stealing it)
• A 2011 Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTEC (diesel engine has a sexy growl)

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