A top 10 gift ideas for under the Christmas tree is becoming an annual tradition. And just like the other years, we try to put a nice mix of very affordable to slightly more exclusive among them. A dream list for most petrolheads.
1: Waft book
What could be more fun for a petrolhead to get than an automotive book? Right, an automotive book from publisher Waft! Yes, we can be quite proud of Bart & Lies who run a publishing house from Antwerp for books they publish themselves.
And the coincidence could not be greater that just now before Christmas, they have just introduced a new book. The book is about German tuners from the 1980s. Bart takes care of the articles and Lies provides breathtaking photography. The book exists in two versions, a regular and a limited edition where you get a lot of extras. You can find out more about this book on the Waft website.
2: Racing timepiece by Cadola
That affordable timepieces don’t have to cost a lot of money we already discussed at length in several of our watch articles. Sometimes you see such a timepiece whose overall package breathes motorsport and yet does not have to be hugely expensive. Such is the case here with the Cadola X Cosworth. This one will make many a Ford enthusiast’s heart beat a little faster. The 42mm diameter timepiece is equipped with a reliable automatic Miyota movement .
What is especially special about this timepiece is that it comes with a movement winder in the shape of a racing helmet, which surely would not look out of place in the interior of any motorsport enthusiast. For 210 euros, it can get a place under your Christmas tree.
3: Art
That art doesn’t always have to be very expensive proofArtworks always do well in motoring too. Besides, you don’t always have to walk far for them. The above work on wooden panel is by Philipp Cleiren. Apart from the fact that I sometimes wonder whether motor oil instead of blood runs through his veins, Philipp is also a first-class artist. His works are extremely exclusive and also quite affordable. The best way to reach Philipp is by sending an e-mail to philipp@xrxs.com. The work above measures 65 x 65cm and is yours for € 795;
4: Frederic Suber Factory
Perfectionism can be found on several levels. At Suber Factory, Frederic sets that bar quite a bit higher than what the average person would describe under perfectionism. The models he builds know no equal and therefore no competition. Everything about each model is handmade, hand-painted (using what he calls the Rembrandt technique). Frederic mainly works to order, so if you want a specific car as a miniature, you can. The car can even be placed in a setting should that be your preference. We have seen his work on several occasions and if you have the budget for it, this really is the ultimate Christmas present! Just do me a Maserati 250F 😉.
5: Autoworld Brussels subscription
You’re used to it from us, regular coverage of temporary exhibitions at Autoworld Brussels. But nothing beats the real thing after all. So if, like us, you want to enjoy all this beauty, the most economical way is the Autoworld Pass. You can buy it in two variants: one for you alone or to go together with another petrolhead. You can then visit your favourite museum as much as you want for a whole year. Buy your Autoworld Pass on the Autoworld website.
6: Magazine
A magazine should not be missing from any wish-list. Magneto is a special magazine, the print quality and paper used alone are of exceptional quality. The articles, too, are always of a high standard. A subscription to Magneto costs 62 euros a year. You can subscribe via Magneto’s website.
7: Sleutelhanger
To keep the keys to your car,house, together in an easy way, we usually have a simple ring as a key ring. Yet the key ring by Belgian Raidillon is a better alternative and thus, in our opinion, the ideal gift for under the Christmas tree.
The key ring is in fine nubuck leather with white or red trimmed stitching to provide contrast. The perforations in the leather are a reference to the watch straps Raidillon makes, making it a perfect match for your Raidillon timepiece. The metal part of the key ring is made of durable stainless steel. What’s special about this key ring is that you have one fixed and two detachable rings that allow you to swap keys effortlessly. Ideal in case you have several cars or want to carry fewer keys at the weekend. The Raidillon key ring is under your Christmas tree from €155.
8: Raidillon Curve timepiece
In the item above about the keychain, we already gave a small foretaste of our next idea, namely the Raidillon Curve timepiece. The atypical and patented shape of the timepiece was designed by renowned Belgian designer Axel Enthoven and cannot be found on any other timepiece. In both shape and name, it is a reference to the famous Raidillon bend of the famous Spa-Francorchamps racing circuit.
Each version of a Raidillon is limited in edition to 55 pieces so you won’t immediately find someone with a timepiece like yours. The indication of the number 55 on the dial also highlights this exclusivity, and above that, each one is numbered on the side of the case. The engine that drives this beautiful model is a Swiss Sellita SW500 automatic movement that we can also admire through the transparent bottom.
Because Raidillon uses a premium interior and high finish, the price tag is also on the higher side with a price of around 4,000 euros. Other models from the brand are available from 1500 euros, as far as we watch and car lovers are concerned, the ideal gift for the end of the year.
9: Photo wallpaper
Maybe your favourite classis car is in your garage or maybe not. But not to worry, for a very pleasant price Ivo from Promo BV will come and place a fantastic wall-sized photo in your home, mancave or wherever you want. Count on a posted price of +/- € 80; p/m² in the Waasland region. If you live outside this region, you should contact him for a quote.
10: Classic car coffee mug
You can drink your morning coffee from a regular bag but in our opinion, it tastes even better in a coffee mug from the most beautiful race track in the world. Right, Spa Francorchamps! You can buy this coffee mug for just 12 euros. Das a nice, useful and cheap present for under the Christmas tree. They have even more great stuff, of course. This link will take you to the Spa Francorchamps shop.