That time of year again: I need gift-giving suggestions

[TheJenners]

My Mom's into driving; I'm not and know nothing about it. Last year I got her a balanced whip on I think Thomas' suggestion, which she loves.

I turn to thee again, o COTH.

She mentioned "long cuff brown leather gloves" and something else that the number goes into (???). Good examples of those, and anything else you folks think she might like would be greatly appreciated.

It's that or she gets a candle. I suck at gifts.

[saje]

The perfect gift:

http://cantermafallauction.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=woot&action=display&thread=283

:winkgrin:


Great for your driving mom, great for the CANTER cuties!

[Drive NJ]

http://www.drivingessentials.com/gifts.html
Check out their gift selection - there has to be something here she'd like

Number holder
http://www.drivingessentials.com/number_holders.htm

SSG long cuff gloves
http://www.drivingessentials.com/gloves.html

we like the SSG deerskin with velcro tab gloves too

Not connected to the store except by checkbook :winkgrin:

[Thomas_1]

Don't forget that you need to get a size larger than she normally wears for driving. Personally speaking I like either pigskin or deerskin best.

Or a subscription to the UK monthly magazine Carriage Driving? I've got that for a few of my friends in the USA and they love it.

http://www.carriage-driving.com/

Or "In harness".

http://www.inharness.moonfruit.co.uk/#

(If you do decide to get one of those let me know and I can arrange for a discount for you)

Or if she's showing what about a really nice spares kit. This is just to give you ideas as I'm sure you'll get a supplier recommendation from another member in the USA once you've decided what to get.

http://www.rideanddrive.co.uk/access/pages/spares1.htm

Or a driving apron.

Or a nice thin underbridle headcollar specifically for a driving horse?

[TheJenners]

Thanks everyone. I think she just got her own apron, because she needed one for something. A clinic I think.

[Cartfall]

If she has arthritic hands, consider Bionic gloves. I use them and they are awesome.

http://equestrian.doversaddlery.com/search?dmi_offer_code=SITE&w=bionic+gloves&idc=%5B%5BSLI_IDC%5D%5D&ids=102736968

I know this link says riding gloves, but I use them for driving. They are about half the price here that I have found them in driving cataloges.

I don;t know how they work, but they do relieve the stress on the hands.

SSG gloves will bleed color on your hands if they get wet.

[Thomas_1]

^ If she's showing though then those may well not be right.

[China Doll]

My wish list was brown leather gloves
and black magic
Oh yes and a number holder

[TheJenners]

My wish list was brown leather gloves
and black magic
Oh yes and a number holder
I prefer white magic myself, seems nicer.

Thomas, why should the driving gloves be a size larger?

[Thomas_1]

For comfort when you're wearing them for prolonged periods

[China Doll]

I prefer white magic myself, seems nicer.

Thomas, why should the driving gloves be a size larger?

I meant black as night. I am not even sure what Bl magic is. LOL

[TheJenners]

;) heh heh

[SomethingDazzling]

The lesson with Chester sounds amazing! I've ridden on the back of the carriage when one of my past boss' had a lesson - VERY informative!
P.S~ (I bidded!!)

[hitchinmygetalong]

How nice that you want to get her something special for her driving pursuits.

You've already gotten many great ideas, but if you are still looking:

A year's membership to ADS (http://www.americandrivingsociety.org/) - $75 and she will get their WONDERFUL quarterly magazine.

A year's membership to CAA (http://www.caaonline.com/caa_content.asp?PageType=Dept&Key=1) - $55 and includes their fabulous 5x per year magazine.

A year's subscription to Driving Digest (http://www.drivingdigest.com/html/online_store.html) - $28 for six issues

[TheJenners]

Ooooooo, more good ideas!!

OK, she is a beginning driver, and I know she took some lessons (or a clinic rather) with some guy who was mega-big from Europe or something. I know she went to Tennessee for the clinic, and it lasted a weekend or three days, and he was impressed by her pony.

Other than that...heh...I know nada. But I bet she might like some of those subscriptions. I'm going to send some of these ideas to my Dad for her.

[Yip]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gorillapod-Gripping-Flexible-Tripod-for-DSLR-SLR-ZOOM_W0QQitemZ180429235722QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item2a026ba60a

I hope you can follow the link. It was my *win* page. He shipped the day after I won it, and it only took 12 days from Hong Kong. I was willing to chance it for under $10, incl. shipping! He sells the other 2 in other auctions. There are lots on ebay, some in the US too.

http://www.calveb.info/images200908/gallery-gp123.jpg

I got the heaviest duty Gorillapod, which will support up to a 6.5# camera. It's very strong and made well. The screw does fit in my little Canon digital. My plan is to affix it to the dashboard of my cart and hands-free video some pretty parts of my drives. If the cart is too bouncy, I can use it elsewhere, I'm sure. But my gig cart should be smooth enough.

Here is some info I found on the 3 different models:

http://www.calveb.info/images200908/gallery-gp123.jpg

Model Comparasion List

Gorillapod Original Compact (GP1)

Intended for: Compact digital cameras
Max weight load: 275g (9.7oz)
Adapter: Universal ¼-in tripod screw
Size: 15 x 3 x 3cm (5.9 x 1.2 x 1.2")
Weight: 45.3g (1.6oz)

Gorillapod SLR (GP2)

Intended for: Lightweight SLR cameras and camcorders
Max weight load: 800g (1.75 lbs)
Adapter: Universal ¼-in tripod screw
Size: 250 x 50 x 50mm (9.8 x 2 x 2")
Weight: 165g (5.8oz)

Gorillapod SLR-ZOOM (GP3)

Supports professional tripod heads and SLR cameras with zoom lenses.
Intended for: Tripod mountable cameras and professional tripod heads
Max weight load: 3000g (6.5 lbs)
Adapter: Universal 1/4-in tripod screw plus a 3/8-inch adapter screw
Size: 250 x 60 x 60mm (9.8 x 2.4 x 2.4in)
Weight: 241g (8.5 oz)

Yip