If you are unsure what to give your husband, father or best friend for Christmas this year, consider a new spin on gift certificates. Three of the top fractional car clubs are offering special holiday gift memberships right now. You could buy one as a gift or try out for yourself before committing to a full membership. Club Sportiva: “Holiday Gift Package”

• Club locations: San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA, Munich, Germany
• Six month membership
• Includes up to 10 driving days
• Access to the club’s $3 million car collection
• Admission to clubhouse and social events
• These holiday packages sold out the past three years
• Price tag: $2,995

The Otto Club: “Holiday-pack”

• Club location: Boston, MA
• Use between now and October 2007
• Includes up to 12 driving days (only 8 days in peak months of June-Sept.)
• To be used in three four-day weekends (Up to two drivers allowed)
• Complimentary pick-up and delivery of club car, and cleaning of your car
• Only offering 12 of these packages
• Price tag: $9,950 (this is $6,500 less than ‘07 gift membership price)

• Club location: Scottsdale, AZ (deliver to California)
• Lifetime membership in the club
• Includes eight days in four different cars
• Price tag: $5,000

These short-term gift memberships are a great way to experience the car club model and see if it suits you. Most fractional car clubs have membership terms of two to five years, which could be more commitment than you want just yet. We recently interviewed a member of Club Sportiva in San Francisco – read Travis Reed’s review of the car club.