Christmas gifts for truck drivers

The most useful Christmas gifts for a truck driver make long hours in the cab more comfortable: a good insulated mug, a 12-volt cooler or lunchbox, warm socks, a quality seat cushion, polarized sunglasses, and small things for dry eyes from the heater and AC vents. Quell, a preservative-free lubricating eye drop, fits in a stocking. Order early, because no arrival date is promised.

Christmas gifts for truck drivers: start with the cab

A semi’s cab is a driver’s office, kitchen and, in a sleeper truck, bedroom for days or weeks at a time. Gifts that fit that space and its 12-volt power tend to get used every day. Anything bulky, fragile or loose will get thrown around on a rough road, so pick things that stow well.

• A large insulated travel mug or bottle that fits the cup holder.
• A 12-volt lunchbox or plug-in cooler so meals don’t depend on truck stops.
• A gel or memory-foam seat cushion and a lumbar support for long days.
• Warm wool socks and a good pair of work gloves for the cold fueling stops.
• A headlamp for pre-trip inspections and chaining up in the dark.
• A gift card to a truck-stop chain the driver uses, or prepaid shower credits.

Gifts for the sleeper berth

Sleep in a truck happens at odd hours, at loud truck stops, with lights and engines all around. A good mattress topper made for sleeper dimensions, blackout curtains or a sleep mask, earplugs, and a soft blanket are welcome gifts. A small battery fan or heater can help too, but check what the driver’s company allows in the cab first.

Night driving and glare

Many drivers run nights, and oncoming headlights and wet roads make glare tiring. Thoughtful gifts here are practical: a microfiber cloth and windshield cleaner kit so the glass stays clear inside and out, a sunglasses case that clips to the visor, and a pair of quality polarized sunglasses for daytime runs. Leave tinted “night driving” glasses off the list; eyewear for driving after dark is a question for the driver’s own eye doctor.

Gifts for dry eyes in a truck cab

Hours in front of heater and AC vents, plus staring down the road and blinking less, often leave drivers with dry, tired eyes by the end of a shift. Eye-comfort gifts that make sense:

• Lubricating eye drops for the stocking. Quell comes in a .33 fl oz (10 mL) bottle in a carton that fits easily alongside candy and gloves.
• Vent deflectors that clip onto dash vents to redirect air away from the face.
• A small 12-volt humidifier made for vehicles, if the driver’s carrier allows it.
• Wraparound sunglasses that block side drafts from an open window.

If you include Quell, a couple of notes help it land well. The label reads: Caution should be used in those with egg or bird allergies — For use in the eyes only, because the formula includes emu oil, so check if the driver has an egg or bird allergy before you give it. The solution is Product appears as a milky brown solution, which is normal, so mention it in the card so it doesn’t surprise them. Its storage line also matters in a truck: Store between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). Encourage them to keep it in a bag, not on the dash.

Eye drops for truck drivers covers how drivers use drops on the job and where to keep them in the cab; this page is just about the gift.

Gifts that help with time on the road

• A satellite radio subscription or audiobook credits for long empty stretches.
• A phone mount that’s legal and solid for hands-free use.
• A power inverter or quality charging cables long enough to reach the bunk.
• A small, sturdy organizer for the passenger seat.
• A homemade card with photos and a few notes for hard days away.

Ordering and shipping in time for Christmas

Drivers are often away over the holidays, so think about where the gift should go: home for when they’re back, the company terminal if they allow driver mail, or with you for a visit. Quell ships within the US from Brentwood, Tennessee, and no arrival date is promised, so order well before Christmas. Ordering eye drops early for the holidays has timing tips, and sending Quell as a gift covers addressing it to someone else.

If the gift isn’t wanted, unopened bottles can be refunded within 30 days of delivery without being sent back. Shipping is $10.00, or free with 3 bottles, which can make a few stocking stuffers for a whole crew practical.