Handling the Holidays
The Christmas season is never an easy time for truckers and their families. There is the added stress of winter driving, fewer loads and if a driver lives in a bad freight area chances are that you probably aren't making it home for the Christmas day.
What are my Christmas options as a trucker?
- Start a new family tradition: Celebrate the day that you arrive home. If you have kids, it will make your arrival that much more special. If you're the family member of a trucker be prepared for that day when it comes.
- If your family is small enough have them ride out with you. Go to truckers church, decorate your truck, build a funky snowman, have a snow fight and eat Christmas food from a truck stop or local restaurant. FYI, I have heard of a family of 6 that managed to fit into a semi truck.
- Meet up at a place you have always wanted to go and have a vacation together. Find truck parking near hotel, your family can pick you up and have a great time together.
- If you are alone out here on the road, many of the truckers chapels and local churches offer food to be shared on Christmas eve or day. Your companies may also offer opportunities depending on who you drive for.
- Alternatively, there is usually good company to be found in the restaurant of the truck stops at the truckers table.
- You can also get involved in many of the Christmas charities and meet some new people.
My Spouse, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, friend is a trucker; what kind of gift should I get them?
Truckers on the whole live very basic lives, they live and work in a very small space, that because of the way truck interiors are designed, is not easy decorate. They do not put a lot of work into their appearance, because when you are around no one for many hours of the day what is the point?
Here a list of gift ideas to help:
Here a list of gift ideas to help:
- Movies and audiobooks
- Computer games (check if your trucker has a computer first)
- Satellite Radio
- Music (ask for their preferred format - cd, itunes, etc)
- A gift card for groceries, supplies and tools (Wal-mart/ TA/ Petro/ Pilot)
- A new headset or phone or tablet PC
- A new CB Radio
- GPS Unit
- A new Microwave or portable stove
- Microwave dishware
- AC adapter Slow - cooker or Crock Pot
- Blankets
- Sunglasses
- Steel Toed Work boots (Flatbed drivers)