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Step 1
The gym membership. If your athlete is already a gym member, consider a punch card for yoga or pilates classes. Many gyms charge extra for these classes.
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Step 2
The big stuff. Large gifts, such as a new bike or snow skis, are harder to give as surprises, but for some people half the fun of new gear is shopping, scheming and over-analyzing together.
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Step 3
The basics. Create a grab bag full of anything that your giftee is devoted to and uses often. Ideas: Five pairs of her favorite running socks, a six-month supply of bike inner tubes or a month’s worth of Gu packets.
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Step 4
The consultation. Hire an expert for your athlete, such as a personal trainer, nutritionist or coach. There is a guru for every game.
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Step 5
The new bag. For the athlete who spends much more on his gear than on what’s holding it, buy him a respectable bag. Many of today’s bags help simplify your trip to the gym and can work overtime as a travel carry-on or day pack.
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Step 6
The pampering. Give spa treatments, massage and pedicures for the athlete with tight hamstrings and black toenails.
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Step 7
The donation. Make a contribution to a favorite charity—particularly one that supports parks, youth sports or general health.
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Step 8
The music. For the spin bike fiend who is always plugged in: an iTunes gift card.
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Step 9
The whopper gift. For big spenders and big adventurers, give an experience: biking across Italy, rafting through Utah or diving in Cabo. Think big, then bigger.
Comments
carlnam said
on 10/17/2008 I needed an inexpensive stocking stuffer last year for the kid's team that won their holiday tournament. I got them from a shoelace website. The golden colored laces had basketball champion on them. The remaining players will wear them again to this year's tourney