Stuff that stocking with (car) care

It's coming down to the wire once again, even though we've known since birth that Christmas is on Dec. 25 ... every year. What, you forgot?

Oh, you already have the big stuff figured out. Of course, that's usually the easy part since the big gifts, which usually cost more, have been thoroughly researched, or hinted about for several months.

If nothing else, car nuts know how to drop a hint for something they really want.

(I'd like a weekend at Bob Bondurant's racing school, thank you for asking. See? Just like that.)

But if you're like me, the stocking stuffers are the most fun to buy. They not only prove that you're involved in your car nut's life, and paying attention to what he or she is passionate about, but the treasure hunt that ensues can be a heck of a lot of fun.

Of course, the operative phrase here is "down to the wire."

No problem.

To get the right goods, or any meaningful gift, requires you to consider the look on the recipient's face when the wrapping paper comes off. You're shooting for ecstatic, right?

OK, so, you've left this seemingly simple, yet critical step so late that it might actually conflict with setting the dinner table on Christmas Eve. A rushed trip through the auto section of a big-box department store to put a bunch of trinkets under the tree, although appealing since time is tight, isn't necessarily the best or your only option.

Christmas is about giving, so slow down and ask yourself one simple question: What type of car nut is on my list? Some are experienced fabricators who work day and night on their projects, choosing to spend their money on car parts, shop supplies and hamburgers instead of on nights out at the club, fancy clothing and seafood dinners. Others are clean freaks who spend hours detailing their vehicle to make sure it stays its best. Still, other car nuts don't even own cars, they just love cars. Perhaps a child, or even an adult who likes to build models, or someone who loves to read about cars instead of wrenching on them. They're all car nuts, but they don't all want a tire-pressure gauge or a new set of combination wrenches.

Figure this out and the rest is a piece of Christmas cake, provided you know what they're working on/reading about/watching on TV/or have.

Dig deep into your memory and you'll recall what your car-nut gift recipient was doing that was so important as to require five reminders that dinner was going straight into the trash can if he or she wasn't at the table in 30 seconds (and that was five hours ago). Now think about what would help feed that passion.

Ready to fill that stocking?

At the last minute, you might not be able to pick out the perfect book, scale model or tool, but at least now you know that you want to pick out a book, scale model or tool. In this case, a gift certificate for any one of those items might just be your best friend.

If you have to wing it, we've compiled a short list of stocking-stuffer ideas that go beyond the obvious. The trick, as always, is to be original.

Next time you're out for gas and the attendant asks if you want to opt for the super-duper touchless car wash, say yes. Write the wash code and location of the car wash on a Christmas card or tag. Think of gifts that make cleaning easier as opposed to just reminding the recipient of the work in front of them. The Swiffer auto duster is inexpensive and makes very fast work of dusty dashes. Specialized cleaning supplies are there for the asking, too, such as Mother's Powerball polisher and detailing tools from Meguiar's. One of our new favorites is Cyberclean, a blob of goo that presses into the cracks and crevices to miraculously remove dust and crud.

Most car nuts already have a favorite wax or polish, so avoid buying just any old stuff that happens to be on sale as it'll likely just sit on the recipient's shop shelf.

Rather than just a magazine in the stocking, try a year-long subscription, which will usually save the family money in the long run when compared to buying single issues. If you go this route, make sure that it's a title your car nut already reads (just fill out the little card from a current magazine and mail it in) but doesn't have a subscription to.

Books, DVDs and memorabilia are also great ideas, but at the 11th hour, a gift certificate probably makes more sense than winging it and risking a bad choice.

A safe bet, although not inexpensive, are the more popular TV shows that can be had, season by season, on DVD: "Overhaulin', " "Rides" (TLC), "American Muscle Car," and "My Classic Car" (Speed channel) are solid choices and can usually be found at the local video store and certainly online. Other car-guy-gal-DVD-sure-fire hits include "Bullitt" (Steve McQueen), "Grand Prix" (James Garner) and "LeMans" (also McQueen).

To give a personal touch to any gift certificate, though, think of a unique place to get it. Who has the best tools in town? Who sells unique items? Who offers unique services? We have some of the answers at our ever-evolving online gift guide for car nuts at http://wheelbase.ws/media/?cat=10.

It's easy at this time of year to get "wrapped up" in just trying to get everything done. When it comes to a great gift or stocking stuffer, especially for car nuts, it's the thought you put into it that really matters.

Rhonda Wheeler is a journalist with Wheelbase Media, a worldwide supplier of automotive news, features and reviews. You can e-mail her by logging on to www.wheelbase.ws/media and clicking the contact link.