AA Ireland has just announced the results of its annual Christmas Gifts poll and while the satnav system is the big winner, jumping to the top of the charts from its fifth place in 2010, it would appear that the bad weather we have experienced over the past number of winters has affected our wish lists.
With the prospect of snow on the way the second most popular gift is one that did not feature at all last year - a winter driving kit consisting of de-icer, scraper, torch, foldaway shovel etc. Joining the invaluable kit is another new entry in fifth in the guise of car snow socks. Snow socks are super-strong textile tyre covers that provide the grip needed for driving on ice and snow. The AA does however urge motorists to understand their limitations before they use them.
Possibly the most worrying inclusion on the list is that of the inflatable car toilet. Originally launched in Japan in 2007 the portable throne comes complete with a privacy curtain and was designed for those caught short in severe traffic jams. "While we may be lacking in motorway service stations, something tells us inflatable toilets won't take off in Ireland any time soon, excuse the pun, let alone make someone's Christmas!" said Conor Faughnan, Director of Policy, AA Ireland.
The full list of AA Top Christmas motoring gifts as voted by 11,900 participants is:
- A satnav system
- A winter driving kit (i.e. de-icer, scraper, torch, foldaway shovel etc.)
- A hands-free phone kit
- AA Christmas Gift Membership
- Snow socks for your car tyres
- A car reversing set (sensors, rear-view camera)
- An on-the spot AA car service
- A GPS speed camera detector
- A breathalyser alcohol tester
- A car seat massager
- An anti-sleep driving alarm
- A customised steering wheel/car seat-cover
- An inflatable car toilet