Buying presents is never easy, especially when for students, this time of year is often crammed with deadlines rather than trips to see Christmas lights or visits to festive markets. However, the simple joy of giving someone something they really love is one of the best feelings – and who doesn’t love a bit of retail therapy? This year, your sporty friends and relatives are in luck – and so are you – because here is my low-down on the gifts that will make it seem like you’ve ran, jogged or cycled the extra mile, even when you’ve bought them all online.
1. Sportswear
You can never go amiss with buying friends and family a new pair of funky leggings or a gym top. Try funky designs and styles for a great, fun gift. For smaller presents, try a headband or some running gloves, perfect for the winter months.
2. Music subscription
Know someone who loves to have their tunes blasting out while they get sweaty? How about getting them a subscription to Spotify or Apple Music this Christmas? It’s both thoughtful and useful, and keeps on giving all year round.
3. Cute accessories
There’s a huge market these days for empowering and adorable fitness goodies. Think water bottles with ‘You go girl!’ slogans or a personalised gym towel. These little, sweet touches to their workout routine will undoubtedly make them smile – and make them remember that you are the best gift giver around.
4. Step tracker
With a huge range of prices on the market, a step tracking watch can be found to fit every budget – although be wary that they vary as much in quality as they do in price! Check Christmas deals and sales for the best deals, and consider extra, cool features like heart rate monitors.
5. Gym bag
Treat a loved one to a gorgeous, practical new duffel to haul all their kit to and from the gym, field or pool. Make sure you chose one big enough to fit all their clothes, shoes and any equipment too. How about a personalised one, or one from their favourite brand?
6. Novelty chocolates
A healthy diet and lifestyle needs balance. And that means including all the essential food groups, including chocolate, which is, of course, the most important. These adorable dumbbell chocolates from Choc on Choc (https://www.choconchoc.co.uk/chocolate-dumbbells) would make a great Secret Santa gift, or you could just keep them for yourself.
7. Health and fitness subscription box
This one will certainly make you the favourite in the friend group: a whole collection of healthy, protein-packed snacks delivered monthly to your door. Yum! Single boxes can be bought as thoughtful and pocket-friendly alternatives.
8. Stocking fillers
Don’t need to splash out on a subscription box? A handful of healthy but yummy protein snacks makes a genuinely useful stocking filler.
9. Magazine subscription
Magazine subscriptions are the ultimate gift-that-keeps-on-giving. Use all your Nancy Drew sleuthing skills to discover which magazine would be best for them, and give them a present that will put a smile on their face every time it arrives. Why wouldn’t you extend Christmas to all year round?
10. Yoga mat
A stylish yoga mat, especially with matching yoga blocks, can make a lovely gift, either for the most experienced yogi, or for someone wanting to try this hugely popular sport for the first time. A variety of beautiful colours and patterns are available, to suit everyone’s tastes.