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Talk sports, pop culture and more with SI.com's Jimmy Traina.12/12/2006 08:55:00 PM Gift list for sports fans
I'm not embarrassed to admit that many things in life baffle me. For example, people who find Jay Leno funny. Or why I'm still drawn to watching the Real World even though I'm in my early 30s (side note: this may be the craziest cast yet). Or why Carson Palmer wants Kevin Federline's CD for Christmas.
TiVo can save a sports fan from having a lot of arguments with their significant other over what to watch.Courtesy of Tivo
But one thing that I can't comprehend is when someone tells me that I'm hard to shop for. I'm a sports fan! That automatically makes me easy to shop for. Get me anything with a Yankees logo on it and I'm a happy camper. (But make sure there are no signs of a No. 13 or the word "Rodriguez" on it. That would be the equivalent of putting coal in my stocking.)
And that's how most sports fans feel -- for some reason we'll like anything if it has our favorite team's name or colors somewhere on it. So if you're still trying to figure out what to get someone for the holidays, all you have to do is find out which teams they root for and presto, your shopping problems are solved. And the best part about buying a gift for a sports fan is that you can always find something within your budget. You can be extravagant or you can be cheap. Either way, you don't have to give a gift that the person won't appreciate.
So, if like me, you're dreading the fact that shortly you'll be putting on a fake smile and acting like you love the scarf that some relative bought for you, maybe this list can help. Print it out and give it to people. Or if you're somebody who has to buy a gift for a sports fan, use this list as a guide.
(Here are two other sources that can help: SI's 2006 Holiday Gift Guide and our Game Room Holiday Gift Guide for the video game player in your life. So without further ado, here are 10 basic gifts -- in a variety of price ranges -- for any sports fan. When you're done reading, send me your suggestions.
1. HDTV: If you spend big bucks on gifts -- or if you're just trying to impress someone -- this is the way to go. Sports and HDTV are a perfect marriage. No matter what sports the person you are shopping for likes, they will be grateful for this gift. Plus, chances are, you'll get some use out of it, too.
2. TiVo: This is simply the greatest invention since electricity. Unlike HDTV, this won't cost you an arm and a leg, so if there's a sports fan out there who doesn't have TiVo, you need to get him/her up with the times.
3. Jersey: All you need to know is the person's favorite team and their size and you instantly have a great gift. If you can't find out which player's name and/or number to get on the jersey, just buy one with no name or number on it. The person won't mind, because it will be better than giving them a jersey of a player who is not too popular. Once again, think A-Rod.
4. Tickets: Another easy, but always successful gift. If the person you are shopping for is a baseball fan, Opening Day would be perfect. If you really want to go all out, you can plan a road trip to see the person's favorite team on the road. Which leads to ...
5. Road Trip: If planning out the trip on your own is too daunting, this site will do it for you. Or you can take the easy route and get a gift certificates. If the person you're shopping for is a college football fan, you can send him or her to a bowl game with the help of this site.
6. NFL Sunday Ticket (or other sports packages): This one may sound odd, but it would go over well. The Sunday Ticket on DirecTV, depending on when you order it, can cost anywhere from $199 to $249. Anyone who subscribes to the Ticket would be thrilled if someone offered to pick up the tab for the 2007 season. One thing to keep in mind: You can only give this gift to someone who has DirecTV. Other sports packages available on cable (MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, etc), aren't as expensive, so you can consider those, too.
7. Recliner: Every sports fan needs a comfortable chair to sit in. It doesn't have to be those space age recliners you see in Brookstone, but make sure the one you pick out one that goes way back. One that rocks back and forth is a plus.
8. Sports Night DVD: I mentioned this in a previous blog as one of my favorite sports shows of all time. The complete boxed set has been out for a while, but the show still holds up today.
9. Gag gift: Everybody likes a gag gift, and there are plenty to choose from just based on recent events. Derek Jeter has a new cologne, Driven, on the market. A Yankee hater could have a field day with that. Terrell Owens recently released a children's book, titled Little T Learns to Share. Seriously. Stephon Marbury's new sneakers cost less than $15, but if the kicks make you play like him, it's a great gag. Let's not forget about the sports fan who is a music lover. Ron Artest's rap CD, My World would be perfect for that person. Lastly, if the person you are shopping for is into collector's items, you have two great choices. Leon Washington's football card, on which he's giving two middle fingers, or the new NBA ball (made of microfiber) which will be the old NBA ball on Jan. 1.
Who better to give lessons on sharing than Terrell Owens?Courtesy of Benbella Books
10. Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Calendar: Yes, I work for SI, but everyone can use a calendar, especially one that features models in bikinis.
So what are some gifts you'd like to get this holiday season? What should be on this list. Let me know.Comments:
Totally agree. My Christmas list for my wife this year was basically a bunch of Yankees stuff and New York Football Giants ranging from cheap things to autographed memorabilia. Problem is the wife says don't have any more space left on my walls for pics etc.Also, sport movie dvds are a good way to go (for those people who don't have them yet).
Rudy
Hoosiers
Raging Bull
Caddyshack
Rocky (1 and 2)
SlapshotThe jersey idea is always good. However, I notice that uninformed gift-givers often personalize the jersey with the recipients' name or other silliness on the back. Am I the only one who finds this wrong? Jerseys should not be defaced with unworthy civilian names and the like. There's nothing worse than seeing a classic jersey with 'Christmas #06' on the back. Please do not subject your loved ones to this humiliation.This post has been removed by a blog administrator.I don't understand how Jay Leno is popular either. He hasn't had an original joke since 1984.The Sunday Ticket is a GREAT idea, especially since the price keeps going up. I'm gonna highlight that suggestion and slip it in my wife's bad.Don't neglect that reader/baseball fan/sports card aficianado on your list: "Sayanora Home Run! The Art of the Japanese Baseball Card" is a keeper.Knicks tickets would be a great gag gift.Ken Burns' documentary on baseball would be an awesome gift for a baseball fan.This may sound odd, but anyone who is in a relationship can relate.
I'd just love my girlfriend to give me some days where I can just watch sports and do nothing else. No picking up the cleaning, no going to see her parents, no fixing the leaking toilet. Just nag-free days -- preferably Sundays -- where I can just sit on the couch for 12 hours without being nagged. Do they have a gift certificate for that?Personalizing the uniform is always a great idea since you never know what team a player will be on the next season.Great line about Jay Leno. He sucks.
Anyway, I'm a student at Penn State. I'll take anything with a Nittany Lions logo on it.
I especially want this:
http://www.nittanylionplanet.com/WStore/WStoreProductInfo.aspx?cat_id=5&product_id=657&ru=/WStore/WStoreCatalog.aspx?cat_id%3d5%26sort%3d0%26pg%3d9
If that's too expensive, I'll take some Ramen noodles.Got something to say?
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