How to Buy Cheerleading Pom-Poms

As a cheerleading coach or sponsor, you will have several responsibilities throughout the athletic season. Besides teaching the squad cheers, pyramid building, tumbling and other tricks, you will also have to find them uniforms. You also need cheerleading pom-poms to coordinate with these uniforms. This may be as simple as visiting the local sporting goods store, or you may have to order them from a company specializing in cheerleading gear.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Size, shape and color desired
• Cheerleading gear catalogs
• Price quotes

1. Determine what type and size of cheerleading pom-poms your squad wants. There are various sizes available, from as small as 4 inches to as large as 10 inches. There are also several different materials to choose from, including paper, regular plastic/vinyl, metallic plastic and glitter plastic. Decide on the kind of handle you want, how thick you want the strands and if you want show poms or classic poms.
2. Decide what color the pom-poms should be. Do you want them to match the school's colors or match the uniforms' colors, if it varies from the school's colors? Do you want a single color or to combine colors, with two or three different colors blended into the poms? Single-colored poms are usually the primary school's color--for example, if your colors are blue and gold, then the poms would be blue. Two-colored poms are more popular, using both colors. Those using three colors typically add either white, black or a highlighting color. You can choose to go with bold, contrasting colors.
3. Check out your local sporting goods store. Larger stores may keep a variety of pom-poms in stock, or they can order them for you, which will save time and possible frustration when dealing with a large supplier over the phone or Internet. If they keep some in stock, then it allows you to get a feel for the different types and sizes available.
4. Request catalogs from school spirit suppliers. Many of the same companies who sell uniforms will also offer pom-poms. It's more convenient to order both from the same company. You will have a better guarantee that the colors of the uniforms and the pom-poms will match. If you have an unusual color request, such as gold, the color one company calls gold may vary from what another company promotes as gold.
5. Visit websites specializing in cheerleading gear, like those offered by the Cheerleading Company and WinCraft School. Many of these sites offer not only several types of poms but also other school spirit supplies. Some of these companies may also offer custom-made pom-poms on top of the usual choices.
6. Compare prices from various companies on pom-poms. Keep in mind that a really low price may not be the best deal, if the poms are of low quality. You don't want poms so cheap that the "strings" fall out with the gentlest of shakes. On the other hand, just because the poms are really pricey doesn't mean they will hold up any better than cheaper versions. While comparing prices, see what, if any, kind of guarantees they have on their poms and if there is a return policy if you are unsatisfied with your purchase.
7. Get the total, including shipping, for the complete order. If the squad has the money reserved, then place the order immediately so you will have plenty of time to receive and inspect them before the season opener. Otherwise, the squad may want to have a fund-raiser to earn the money for their poms.

Tips & Warnings

• While comparing prices, don't forget to check shipping charges since these can vary greatly. Also check on shipping time, especially if you are on a tight schedule.
• When choosing among custom cheerleading pom-poms companies, be sure the company has a good track record and plenty of experience with cheer decorations.
• When deciding on the material you want for your pom-poms, base part of the decision on what type of sporting event they will be used at. For example, if they are for the football team's cheerleaders, you obviously wouldn't want paper poms that could get ruined outdoors in the rain.
• Keep in mind when choosing pom-pom sizes that they will fluff up larger than the original size, and the larger the poms, the heavier they will be.
• Cheerleading pom-poms made of plastic or vinyl can be a choking hazard for infants and small children. Keep poms away from their faces and don't allow them to play with poms unattended.