Practical and affordable new car gift ideas that will ensure your teenage driver is safe, prepared and well-equipped for their adventure as a new car owner.
It’s a HUGE day when your teenage child buys their first car, and as a parent, many things run through your head: will they be safe, do they have everything they need, will they keep it clean? Help alleviate these questions bouncing around your head by preparing your child for their adventure as a new car owner. This list of affordable and practical new car present ideas are perfect for doing just that!
My two eldest teenage children (twins) bought they first cars last year (I can’t believe I’m that old to have children that own cars), so I understand the shock and fear that can fill parents during this time. I have started (it’s so hard) coming to terms with my children’s increased independence now, and I am sure I will eventually start enjoying the extra freedom that it will give me.
When my teenagers purchased their new cars, I took the opportunity to bundle together a new car gift pack for them. The new car gift pack included all the essentials I thought they would need whilst on the road… without me.
Here’s a breakdown of what I gave them:
- Wet wipes
- Tissues
- First Aid kit
- Umbrella
- Learner plates
- Chapstick
- Nail file
- Torch
- Fabric softener (TIP: put this under the passenger seat to keep your car smelling lovely and fresh!)
- Hand sanitiser
- Pen and notepad
- Shopping bag
I keep this Leopard Shopper Tote in my car, and it’s so practical that I’ve now added one to my daughter’s car too! It’s affordable, very durable, comes in different prints and is the perfect size for popping a few groceries in.
I asked The Organised Housewife community what practical new car gift ideas they would give to their teenage child. Here’s a few of their excellent ideas:
- Panadol
- Breath mints
- Microfibre rags
- Car cleaning products
- A form for accidents
- Car bin
- Dusting brush
- Jumper cables
- A fire blanket
- Travel mug
- Big bottle of water for the boot
These Mega Drink Bottles hold 1 litre of water, and they’re insulated double-wall stainless steel so will keep water colder for longer – perfect to be thrown in your teenager’s car!
These new car gift ideas are not just great for teenagers either! I recently traded my car in for a new one (a smaller car – I love it!), and feel lost without all my essentials in there. I think I’ll need to gift myself a new car gift bundle too – LOL!
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR A NEW MUMMA ABOUT TO GIVE HER KIDS P PLATE INDEPENDENCE??
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12 comments
Hi Kat
My eldest son is on his L’s and looking to buy a car this year. Its scary and exciting for him and me. I love that you post things about teenagers. There is so much about little kids on mum blogs but not much about older kids so thank you for that.
My other suggestion for a present is a hand free phone kit if his car is not equipped with this.
Cheers
Tracey
It’s such a big stage in life isn’t it Tracey?! Our babies grow up so quickly. Love your suggestion of a hands-free phone kit too 🙂 Kat x
I bought my girls an RAC Roadside Assistance membership. They offer discounts for new drivers, and it gives me peace of mind to know if they have a problem out on the road, the RAC will come to them, and make sure they get home safely.
Fabulous advice Jane! Very important indeed 🙂
Young drivers will roll their eyes at this, but an old-fashioned street directory! My daughter recently got rather lost because her GPS had a hissy fit and it took her quite awhile to figure out where she was. I have now bought her a street directory, it fits down between the passenger seat and the console, and it’s a great backup if you need it. Also the maps are much more detailed in the street directory.
I love this advice Lynne! Bring back the good old fashioned street directory 😉 Thanks for sharing this idea with us. Kat x
I also purchased sunscreen and mozzie spray for my daughter. Something she has copied from my car – nappy sacks. Not only are they great little rubbish bags that can hang from the gear lever or the back of the headrest, they have handy ties to knot and assist with disposal and they have a great subtle smell! At a pinch, they can be used for car sick passengers too.
Since she wears a lot of spaghetti strap tops, I bought the seat belt sleeves. I wasn’t sure however she will thrilled so a win there! The windscreen sun protector helps with the heat as well.
And finally – because she is a 17 year old – a spare charger for her mobile! 🙂
These are all great tips Imogen – thank you so much for sharing them 🙂
Check their spare tyre situation. No-one wants to discover that they’re missing the wheel brace or that they have no idea how to access the spare wheel. (Both of these things have happened to me.) And have a run-through of changing the tyres. So many of the tyre places insist on doing up the wheel nuts far too tightly, and jacks have to be done right.
Other suggestions: window cleaning fluid, a blanket for picnics and when it’s cold, a card with a maintenance schedule on it and bottles of the fluids you need to keep an eye on, 2.5 tonne tie down strap (can double as a tow rope) and the number for roadside assistance in your state.
And a container to put it all in!
Fabulous suggestions, and I love the changing wheel tutorial idea – so very important! Thank you for sharing these ideas with us. Kat x
Hi there
With the fabric softener u Dee the passenger seat you leave it unopened?
Yes I do. They are quite strong smelling I find even when still sealed.