Do New Tires & Rims Make Good Gifts?

She asked for something round and shiny, and your first thought was, "hyper chrome Konigs for her Honda."

Really, dude?

When is it OK to gift tires? 

Rule #1: Tires and Wheels Do Make Good Gifts If ...

Here are four scenarios where new tires or wheels would make someone smile.

1. She said yes: You asked your intended what she wants for whatever occasion (birthday, Christmas), and she specifically said, “I want new tires.” In this case, it is 100% OK to gift tires.
2. Minimalists and pragmatists: You ask someone, "I see you're going to need new tires soon ... Christmas is coming up...," this is a legit question for the pragmatist or minimalist in your life. These folks appreciate practical gifts like a quality set of tires or after-market rims. For everyone else, ask at your own risk.
3. Car enthusiasts: You've got a car enthusiast on your gift list? They've been salivating over beadlocks for their off-roading adventures or they're drooling over aftermarket rims for their pickup. This person will be delighted to receive such a practical yet aesthetically pleasing splurge.
4. Your kid is broke: Let's say you've got a son or daughter who's about to head off to college, and you want to ensure they've got a solid set of wheels and tires. Perfect opportunity!  

Rule #2: Tires and Wheels Don't Make Good Gifts If ... 

If your intended mentions casually that he/she needs new tires, this is not an invitation to gift them. It’s a statement. Same goes for brides and grooms to-be and soon-to-be-grads: You may know for a fact that they have a crappy car with old tires, but when it comes to gifting, they’re more of the “buy me something I’d never get myself.” Not tires.   

Your significant other is idealistic: Remember when you first met, and she said told you the story about the time her dad gave her mom an electric onion chopper for her birthday and mom cried and didn't speak to dad for 2 weeks? There's a reason for that story. Some people (men and women) view practical gifts as insults. They don't want appliances for Christmas, nor do they want car tires or rims. Holidays are meant for impractical gifts and splurges, not utility. 

They specifically asked for something else: They said they wanted cash for their honeymoon to Europe or a gift card for their favorite home furnishing store, but you ignored them and got them what they needed? Tires AND new rims? If this happens to you, here's what you do: "Oh, you thought I bought these tires for [fill in holiday]? No, I bought these for you JUST BECAUSE. Here’s some cash."

Rule #3: Tires and Wheels May Be OK to Gift When ...

If you gift someone new tires or wheels "just because," you may be safe. There are no rules saying gifts must be given only for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and monumental moments like weddings and graduation. If your love language is gift giving, and theirs is gift receiving, you might be in a grey zone where practical gifts are welcome.

You might be able to win someone over with a stunning set of luxury aftermarket wheels or high-performance tires, but make sure you've got something they'll love to go with it: A road trip to the Smokey Mountains, a bottle of their fave bubbly, and an original love poem written by you (they'll never know you used ChatGPT).

_{Disappointed girlfriend photo: Photo 60311737 | Bad Gift | Vladimirfloyd | Dreamstime.com}