Everyone knows that finding gifts for loved ones isn't the easiest job. Maybe they already have it, or maybe they won't like it, or maybe they will never use it. These thoughts are all too common as you tirelessly browse the internet for the perfect gifts. The best solution is to bring it back to the basics. What does the person enjoy? If he or she enjoys sports like the millions of other people in the world, then take a peek at all of our gift ideas for sports fans.

Gift Ideas for Sports Fans

• Tickets to the game. Who doesn't love a live sporting event? Take your loved one to see his or her favorite team. This gift is a certified winner.
• Portable chair. Think about all those pee-wee soccer, football, and baseball games. Maybe there were a couple bleachers set up, maybe not. Maybe you were sitting on the ground working on a world-class grass stain.
• Seat cushion. Stadium seating isn't the most comfortable. Grab a seat cushion to protect that heiney!
• Binoculars. We can't all afford field-level seats. Grab some binoculars to get closer to the action.
• Memorabilia. For the sports historian in your life. Give him autographed items or pictures of his favorite players and stadiums.
• Apparel. Get your loved ones their favorite jerseys, hats, sweaters, and jackets.
• Premium TV subscriptions. Surprise your loved one with a subscription to his favorite sports channels.
  • Golf Channel
  • Tennis Channel
  • NFL Sunday Ticket
  • NFL Redzone
  • MLB Network
  • NBA League Pass
  • NHL Center Ice
  • The SEC Network
• Magazine Subscriptions. Grade A reading material for the patio and bathroom (of course).
  • General - Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine
  • Golf - Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Golfweek Magazine
  • Baseball - Baseball Digest
  • Basketball - Slam Magazine
  • Football - No major publications available. Click here to see available options.
  • Hockey - The Hockey News Magazine
  • Tennis - Tennis Magazine
  • Skiing & Snowboarding - Powder Magazine
  • Soccer - Soccer 360 Magazine
  • Running - Runner's World Magazine, Trail Runner Magazine

Gift Ideas for Sports Players

Golf

We start gift ideas for sports fans with golf because it's a beautiful game that does not discriminate by age. Some people still play golf well into their 80's. If your loved one likes golf, chances are (s)he can use at least one of these things. Most likely lessons (ouch).

• Club
• Balls
• Bag
• Gloves
• Shoes
• Attire: shirts, pants, socks, hat, sunglasses
• Practice net
• Virtual golf simulator
• Gift certificate for a round of 9, 18, or the range
• Lessons
• GPS

JAM suggestion: GPS. A golf GPS allows the player to easily measure distances down the fairway and to the front, center, and backs of the green. This GPS from golfbuddyglobal.com is preloaded with over 38,000 courses and has a 10-hour battery life.

Baseball & Softball

"America's Pastime" remains one of the most popular sports in the country. Help your loved ones step up their games with some updated equipment.

• Bat(s)
• Equipment bag
• Balls
• Fielding glove
• Batting gloves
• Cleats
• Socks
• Sunglasses
• Batting tee
• Practice net
• Lessons

JAM suggestion: Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns. Whatever Ken Burns touches turns to gold. This rich documentary covers baseball from its inception in the 1840's to 2009. Available on Amazon for $50.

Basketball

• New hoop
• Equipment bag
• Socks
• Shoes
• Shorts
• Sweatbands
• Lessons
• Mini hoop

JAM suggestion: Traction board ($69.95). Remove slipping from your game with a traction board that will remove dust and dirt. Rinsing under water using soap and a light scrub will renew its stickiness.

Football

• Football(s)
• Equipment bag
• Cleats
• Socks
• Helmet & pads
• Sliding shorts
• Eye black
• Catching gloves
• Practice throwing net
• Lessons

JAM suggestion: Bean Bag Chair of his/her favorite team. Relax those aching muscles while watching your team run up the score. Available at fanatics.com for $79.99.

Hockey

• Stick(s)
• Pucks/Balls
• Equipment bag
• Stick tape
• Skates
• Socks
• Helmet & pads
• Practice net
• Slide board
• Stickhandling training aids
• Mini hockey sets
• Lessons

Our unique suggestion: Deodorizing Bag Ball. Have you ever smelled a hockey bag? Yikes. Tone down those truly offensive odors with a deodorizing ball that lives in the players' bag. Available at Amazon for $11.99.

Tennis

• Racket
• Re-strung racket
• Equipment bag
• Elbow brace
• Balls
• Shock absorbers
• Sneakers
• Socks
• Hat
• Lessons

Our unique suggestion: Ball machine. I know what you're thinking: ball machines are crazy expensive! Correct, they are. However, this one from lobstersports.com is under $1,000 and includes multiple spin settings, random oscillations, and a 2-4 hour battery life. Not too shabby.

Skiing & Snowboarding

• Lift tickets to their favorite mountain
• New skis or snowboard
• Boots
• Socks
• Gloves
• Helmet/hat
• Goggles
• Equipment bag
• Jacket
• Snowpants
• Long underwear
• Handwarmers and footwarmers

Our unique suggestion: Snofling ($10.98). Throwing snowballs is pretty much a requirement for snow lovers. Cold, wet hands don't have to be. The Snofling allows you to form snowballs and fling them great distances while keeping your fleshy mitts nice and try.

Soccer

• Balls
• Cleats
• Shin guards
• Shorts
• Goalie gloves
• Sliding shorts
• Equipment bag
• Practice net
• Custom orthotics

Our unique suggestion: Training net with shooting zones. This will allow you to practice at home without a goalie and is sure to improve your shooting percentage. Starting from $89.99 on Amazon.

Running

• Shoes
• Running socks
• Insoles
• Sweat resistant headphones
• Muscle rollers & massage balls
• Warm headware
• Reflective clothing
• Heartrate monitor
• GPS

Our unique suggestion: Runner's Waist Pack. Running while holding a water bottle and your phone is not fun. Now you can run with free arms using this waist pack from Camden Gear ($19.95).

Cycling

• Bike
• Tires
• Tire pump
• Seat pad
• Indoor bike
• Spandex or other windproof athletic clothing
• Padded underwear
• Reflective gear
• Cold weather gloves

Our unique suggestion: Rearview helmet mirror. Is there a car behind me? Better turn my head 180° to check. Whoops, now I'm swerving into the middle of the road. Better not crash! Prevent this inner dialogue with a helmet mirror ($14.95). Not sure why more people don't use these. We hope you enjoyed our gift ideas for sports fans and players. Of course, you can't forget to wrap all these brilliant gifts. Visit our store for all your gift wrapping needs. If you have any other gift ideas for sports fans or enthusiasts in your life, drop me a line below!