Many Americans don’t considered automotive repair as a something that you can give as a holiday present. Chances are that you have thought about a new car as the ultimate Christmas gift! Tis the season when consumers begin seeing television commercials featuring a brand-new car as a gift. In such commercials, the invariable factor is that the vehicle is wrapped with a giant ribbon. And of course it is alway depicted parked in front of a house secretly to surprise the unsuspecting recipient.

The reality of gifting a new car as a surprise for Christmas is that it is not very practical unless money is not a problem. For a family in Raleigh, for example, purchasing a new car for a spouse or child is only a first step; the title must be legally transferred to the recipient within 28 days or else the Department of Motor Vehicles will impose a monetary fine. The good news is that immediate family members will qualify to receive the Highway Use Tax Exemption Certificate, but the sales tax will still apply. There is also the matter of the recipient not liking the gift, and this has actually happened according to psychosocial consumer researchers who have documented cases in which some spouses felt as if they were left out of the car shopping process.

When Automotive Repair Makes a Good Gift

There is a good reason for automakers and car dealerships to run commercials during the holiday season. December is a notoriously slow month for new auto sales, and dealers are more willing to offer nice discounts up to 7%. For this reason, a better idea is to help family members with financial incentives such as a check for the down payment and letting the recipient, who will ultimately be the driver and owner, choose the car of his or her preference.

According to research by Consumer Reports, giving new cars as Christmas presents peaked during the holiday seasons from the mid-1990s until 2007, which happened to be a period of great economic prosperity for many Americans. Once the global financial crisis and the Great Recession hit in 2008, this gift-giving trend slowed down considerably and never quite recovered. American drivers these days are more interested in keeping their cars on the road longer, and this is why it makes more sense to consider automotive repair as a smart gift this holiday season.

In the years past, many local dealerships over holiday gift certificates for services.

These amazing little gifts can cover all types of auto maintenance and repairs such as:

• Oil and filter change
• Transmission flush
• Tune up
• Tire rotation
• New wiper blades
• Etc…..

What driver doesn’t want or need a fresh set of windshield wiper blades? A dealership chain in Ohio offered more comprehensive certificates for “vehicle reconditioning,” which ended up being very popular.

Proper Etiquette When Gifting Automotive Repair

To many people a gift card certificate or arrangement with a repair shop doesn’t seem like a tangible holiday gift. However, many car dealers report their customers receive these car repair gifts with excitement and much appreciation. Even more so than car detailing gift certificates, which tend to be more common auto related holiday presents. These gifts are easy to wrap, package, and place under the tree. Moreover, you can get creative and attach them to the hand of a stuffed teddy bear. Or even place them inside a box of Christmas cookies.

In the case of families who discuss auto repair needs, they can visit the service shop together. Doing so for the purpose of learning how much the cost is to bring the car to good mechanical condition. Schedule a family dinner and celebrate at their favorite restaurant once their car repair is complete.

When it comes to holiday presents, it is always the thought that counts. Are your family members are spending money on car maintenance and repair? Then they will appreciate this holiday gift! If you know your family member’s vehicle is in dire need of repair, gifting auto repair is an excellent idea. Especially if they rely on their vehicle on a daily basis.