by Joe Jeffrey
Struggling to figure out what to buy that caravanner or motorhomer who’s got everything for Christmas? Or maybe you’re looking to treat yourself. Our quick guide to choosing the perfect present may be just the thing you need
Christmas is coming and – let’s be honest here – seeing as it’s the season of good will, you know what that means: presents. And try as they might to tell you they don’t want anything, your loved ones will be expecting you to come up trumps this year. And that’s where CaravanTimes comes into the mix.
We’ve got to admit though, when it comes to caravans and motorhomes, there’s not a great deal that you can buy that’s associated with them. After all, with the amount of stuff that comes as standard with the average motorhome or caravan these days, you’d be pretty hard pressed to find something original. That’s why we’ve gone to the effort of looking at some great gift ideas, so you don’t have to. So, without blowing our own trumpets any more than we already have, check out our top ten list of ideal gifts for the caravanner or motorhomer in your life.
View Quest Retro Mini DAB/DAB+ FM Bluetooth radio
Looking for a gift that oozes retro appeal and will fit compactly into your caravan or motorhome without taking up too much space? View Quest may have just the answer.
The Retro Mini is ideal for use both indoor and outdoor use thanks to the option of using either standard power (UK or EU plug) or batteries, with the former option providing typical usage lasting up to 15 hours.
You’d be surprised to find a plethora of features packed into such a compact radio. For starters, clear quality audio comes courtesy of the DAB+ radio as well as real wood constructed 5W premium speakers. Wireless connectivity is also an option, enabling you to pair up your smartphone via Bluetooth. The only thing we’d say about this, however, is the Bluetooth functionality still needs some work; when switching from DAB to Bluetooth and then back again on the device we tested, we found a fault whereby the radio would freeze and wouldn’t switch back, rendering the Retro Mini defunct. To counter this, the only option was to unplug the whole device and wait for it to work again. Dual alarm functionality makes this the perfect bedside companion and provides the option of setting one alarm for the weekend and one for Monday morning and that trip back home – or even a his ‘n’ hers option dependent on what time you wake up.
The Retro Mini comes in a vast array of colours, including cream, blue and, for the more vibrant person on your Christmas present list, radiant orchid or hot pink. If you want a digital radio and can do without the Bluetooth, this is definitely the radio for you.
The View Quest Retro Mini DAB/DAB+ FM Bluetooth radio is priced at £59. Click here for more information
Autoglym Perfect Bodywork Collection
It goes without saying that we all take pride in our caravan’s appearance, but we often overlook the other set of wheels that manages to get that caravan from A to Z – our car. Autoglym’s Perfect Bodywork, Wheels and Interior collection is set to change that.
This high-end collection of nine carefully chosen products and accessories will ensure your car is primed and polished to perfection in no time, whilst also enabling it to remain protected from all your favourite wintery, muddy site has to throw at it, providing your vehicle with a durable high-gloss shine.
As an added bonus, all Autoglym products are British made on-site at their factory in Letchworth and, with nearly 50 years’ experience, the company’s products are used by racing teams, vehicle manufacturers and are royal warranted too, so you know it’s good stuff – all at an affordable price.
The perfect Bodywork, Wheels & Interior collection includes shampoo conditioner, super resin polish, gloss protection and a whole lot more, including all the sponges and high-tech finishing cloths you need to make it look like your car’s just left the showroom, both inside and out. What’s not to love?
The Autoglym Perfect Bodywork Collection is priced at £60. Click here for more information
Deliman Christmas Cream Tea hamper
Devon’s own award-winning online fine food and gift emporium, Deliman, is really going all out this Christmas to offer you the ideal opportunity to impress your loved ones this Christmas with the prestigious company’s Christmas Cream Tea Hamper.
Featuring two Devonshire Scones, freshly baked on day of dispatch, Devonshire clotted cream, extra fruity strawberry jam and mincemeat shortbread slices, you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice – well at least someone will be. And if that’s not enough to tantalise your taste buds, some delectable chocolate and cranberry brownies along with West Country tea are thrown in for good measure.
The delicious Deliman gift set comes wrapped in a rustic gift box and you’ll even get a wooden gift tag from the Gisela Graham range, which would also look good on anyone’s Christmas tree.
Deliman’s Christmas Cream Tea hamper is priced at £21. Click here for more information
Shake ‘n’ Make Ice Cream Maker
Know someone who considers themselves the next Heston Blumenthal when it comes to creating an edible masterpiece? Then we might have just landed upon the ideal gift this Christmas. The Shake ‘n’ Make from Mustard offers you the opportunity to make ice cream in just three minutes. Yep, in three easy steps, you could be sitting down to watch your favourite Christmas repeats on TV all over again whilst devouring your very own tasty creation.
With no need for electricity or batteries, all that’s required in order for you to be tucking into your very own latest signature dish of icy proportions is a hand to shake it with! And if you’re stuck on ideas as to which flavour ice cream to think up next, the bonus recipe ideas included should allow you to unleash your culinary creativity. Remember: it’s never too cold for ice cream.
The Shake ‘n’ Make Ice Cream Maker is priced at £15. Click here for more information
Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor Pro
We’re pretty much all for the great outdoors and everything which comes with it and we’re sure you are too, so if you’re looking for something different this Christmas we might just have the answer.
The Wi-Fi plant sensor, by plant care experts Koubachi, is designed for those of you with green-fingered tendencies to keep an eye on your plants wherever you are, with Koubachi’s ingenious sensor accurately determining the health and vitality of plants in a cutting-edge, innovative way like never before.
Featuring the ability to check on the health of your plants, letting you know when your plants need watering and fertilising, as well as even monitoring the soil temperature and artificial light measurement, the Plant Sensor Pro will notify you via your smartphone.
Available for both indoor and outdoor plants, the outdoor model also includes a weather forecast integration feature that takes into account the high-probability of rain… pretty impressive if we say so ourselves.
Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensors are priced from £89. Click here for more information
Hi-Tec winter/snow boots
Looking to get out and about this Christmas or know someone who is? Then Hi-Tec may just have the answer.
Hi-Tec’s new AW14 collection of insulated, cozy winter boots is all about comfort, with the long-established footwear manufacturer focusing on keeping your feet warm, yet breathable, no matter what the season.
Fully waterproof, whilst being insulated with 200g of Thinsulate insulation, each range within the collection has had oil and dirt repellent treatment applied to it, ensuring these boots will fend off everything adverse weather can throw at them whilst keeping your feet warm, confortable and snug.
Available in a number of styles for both men and women, you can rest assured Hi-Tec will provide your feet with sheer protection from the elements this Christmas – ideal for venturing out from your caravan or motorhome to hike into the wilderness or even enabling you to complete the more arduous task of hitting the January sales!
Hi-Tec’s new range of winter/snow boots start from £54.99. Click here for more information
Vorwerk Kobold VC100 handheld vacuum cleaner
There’s nothing better than taking pride in our caravans or motorhomes and the Vorwerk Kobold VC100 is the ideal answer for ensuring you can do exactly that.
This handy little battery operated vacuum cleaner, perfect for cleaning your caravan, motorhome or car, is made by Vorwerk – a German company established for over 130 years and renowned for its cutting edge technology and innovative design.
Vorwerk Kobold vacuum cleaners have an unrivalled reputation and the VC100 is no different. Weighing in at the same as just two cans of Coke, the mini marvel proved its worth when we put it to the test, enabling us to suck up anything from dry mud to pet hair. The sleek and stylish design, powered by a small charging station packs a powerful punch.
For those looking for something larger, the Kobold VK150 seems to be a wise choice. Including a number of clever attachments such as the duo-clean hard floor cleaner, which allows you to mop and hoover at the same time, the VC100’s bigger brother is large enough to do it all, but light enough to tackle even the most out of reach places.
Vorkwerk’s innovative vacuums start from £149. Click here for more information
Heat ‘n’ Eat Microwave Popcorn Maker
When it’s time to get stuck into the latest Christmas blockbuster, what better way is there to do it than by pigging out on some fresh, hot popcorn? Well now you can, thanks to Mustard’s microwave popcorn maker.
Recreate the feeling of really being at the movies and get ready to dim the lights, before getting stuck into your very own tub of popcorn, but within the confines of your very own caravan or motorhome in three very quick and easy steps. The reusable tub, ideal for sharing, makes a great novel way to create your very own cinema setting wherever you pitch up – all at a fraction of the cost!
With lots more innovative gift options available over at justmustard.com, including cool cactus oven gloves, cheesy boards (in every sense) and eggspress egg shapers, only one question remains – salted or sweet?
Mustard’s Heat ‘n’ Eat Microwave Popcorn Maker is priced at £20. Click here for more information
Christmas Hamper from moonpig.com
Show the one you love how much you care this Christmas with breakfast in bed courtesy of a Christmas breakfast hamper from Moonpig.
London-based company Moonpig, better known for personalised greetings cards rather than luxury hampers, looks set to impress even the fussiest of eaters this Christmas, ensuring a breakfast in bed experience they’ll never forget.
Containing award-winning Srumchus Granola, Ouse Valley Four Berries jam and St Clement’s marmalade with whisky, all you’ll need to do is grab a bowl and throw a couple of slices in the toaster to remain in your other half’s good books for some time to come.
And if all that builds up a thirst, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the selection of beverages thrown in for good measure, including Twinings English breakfast tea, Brazilian Real Trade ground coffee, Folkington’s Valencia pure orange juice and even a bottle of Lanson champagne in a Santa jacket as an added incentive to get those festivities started early.
Moonpig’s Christmas Hamper is priced at £40. Click here for more information
Misfit Flash Fitness + Sleep Monitor
Looking for something for that fitness fanatic who’s got everything? Then look no further than the Flash from Misfit Wearables.
Working as an activity tracker that can be worn in a variety of places on your person (think wrist, ankle), the Flash is a subtle yet nifty piece of kit that monitors the day’s activities by using a built-in triple axis accelerometer thanks to Misfit’s clever computational biomechanics. Recording your physical activity and sleep, the Shine is able to differentiate between what activities are undertaken, be it a brisk walk through woodland to cycling, swimming or tennis.
The Shine’s dedicated app for smartphones works via Bluetooth and records all activity, enabling the wearer to set goals they wish to achieve. You can even share your progress on Facebook should the need arise to want to brag to your mates about how those New Years’ resolutions are remaining firmly in place.
The Shine weighs in at just 9g, which is a huge plus, as you’d hardly notice it on, and with a battery which lasts for up to four months, unlike other activity trackers that need to be charged using a USB, this is the ideal choice.
The Misfit Flash Fitness + Sleep Monitor is priced at £49.99. Click here for more information
So there you have it. If you could choose anything to receive under the tree this year, what would it be? There are no bonus marks for answering with “Peace and goodwill”, so let us know in the comments section below.
