I used to despise unwrapping socks on Christmas morning. Why was Santa so bland? Now I put socks at the top of my wish list. Ankle-high, merino wool in black, please and thank you.
For Hanukah and Christmas, for a reason to invigorate hibernating limbs over the solstice, or for New Year鈥檚 resolutions, these gifts are perfect for the recreators and competitors in your life 鈥� and they come recommended by the pros.
So whether it鈥檚 socks or a state-of-the-art treadmill, shopping for the athlete in your life gives you the best reason to indulge the shopping mantra, 鈥淥ne for you and one for me.鈥� Get out there this season.
Oh what fun it is to ride
I always love to give reflective strips and small, re-chargeable lights used when cycling and running at any time of year.
I once gave away a giant horn, the kind that quacks 鈥渉onk honk,鈥� because my friend already had a bell.
Light-weight, water-resistant gloves and sleek, clear-plastic glasses help all-weather types keep warm outside.
Also, consider a for someone looking to try riding a few kilometres they might otherwise walk, bus or drive.
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Baby, it鈥檚 cold outside
Equipped with a pair of snowshoes and thanks to the recent snowfall with still more in the forecast, you can venture to North Shore mountain trails or turn to your neighbourhood park, as I do when I trek to Queen Elizabeth Park. Be prepared to dodge the toboggans.
Since snowshoes听, depending on what you plan to do and how you want to get there, decide if you want a light-weight, slim pair for running on packed snow or something more robust and broad to keep you afloat above it. There are smaller versions for children. Retractable poles help balance over uneven terrain.听
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Don鈥檛 care about the presents underneath the tree
Make an athlete鈥檚 wishes come true by signing up your loved ones for the 2017 MEC running series. They鈥檙e calling it 鈥�鈥� and, for the first time since launching their road and trail events in 2013, the co-op is combining the effort of three stores in the North Shore, 麻豆传媒映画and Langley.听 Sign up for seven races for $84 or all 10 races for $120. Half- and full-marathon distances cost a little extra.
If you know an athlete with competitive goals next year, sign them up for a marquee event such as the on Sept. 9 or Vancouver鈥檚 only marathon, the on May 7. Consider paying the entrance fees, so the athlete in your life will have no choice but to head out for a training session.
It鈥檚 the best time of the year
Looking to 2017, the director of group fitness for Steve Nash Sports Club, Ingrid Cohee said she wishes for 鈥渢hings that restore and inspire鈥� as well as those that 鈥渉elp me achieve and maintain my personal best.鈥� That鈥檚 the athlete鈥檚 spirit. Her idea of an ideal gift includes multiple visits to a personal trainer or gift certificates to her favourite massage therapist or spa as well as the latest Fitbit or a power metre designed to measure cycling wattage.
Allison Tai, Canada鈥檚 reigning , has a similar suggestion. She endorses the message of 麻豆传媒映画trainer, Dai Manuel, the Whole Life Fitness Manifesto. 鈥淚 recommend this book to anyone who is looking to embark on a healthier lifestyle and just needs a little guidance 鈥� no gym needed,鈥� said Tai. 鈥淚t's essentially听a straightforward plan to a better you in every way. To top it off,听the book has听top-notch听support to see your goals through听via a听.鈥澨�
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Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Joe McCullum suggests a similar list for Santa. The head strength and conditioning coach for the UBC Thunderbirds athletic department recommends class sessions, like a punch card or monthly membership, to a fitness studio for yoga, pilates, spinning or bootcamp workouts. For the living-room exercise buff, you can鈥檛 go wrong with equipment that offers a good workout in a small space such as resistance band, kettlebells or Powerblocks, a sophisticated dumbbell reviewed as a 鈥済reat way for a skinny guy to make gains at home.鈥�
Keighty Gallager, the fine mind behind Tight Club, suggests a yoga mat. Her baby-blue branded mats are half off and 鈥渟o rad!鈥� Those are her words, but I have to agree.
For himself, McCullum would love a . But the non-motorized device might be 鈥渙ut of Santa鈥檚 price range,鈥� he said.
More in budget could be through the 麻豆传媒映画park board or a dedicated trainer for a technically challenging sport like golf, tennis, squash or even open water swimming. (This is on my list as a gift for someone else.) For a beginner or expert, we can always learn something new.
Rock the night away
For motivation on long runs or courage to take on difficult feats, music can help get us through a lot of physical challenges. On her wish list, Tai has included Sony鈥檚 sport series headphones, the .听
鈥淚 learned quickly that if you're doing something that requires waterproof headphones, you don't want to wrestle with cords,鈥� said Tai. 鈥淭his all-in-one unit doesn't bounce around for runs in the heavy rain or shift during swims. It's also easy to fill with music via an intuitive drag and drop music transfer app.鈥�
I鈥檓 adding this one to my list. Laps will never be better.
Jessi Harewicz is more likely , but the open water swimmer doesn鈥檛 shun the pool. After she successfully swam across the Strait of Georgia this summer, her ultimate wish list includes an endless swimming pool. 鈥淵ou can swim against the current and can adjust the water temperature.鈥� Avoiding near-freezing water is really an exciting option.
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You better not cry, better not pout
For the young jumpers and tumblers out there, I can鈥檛 say enough about gifts that promote physical literacy and encourage toddlers, children and even teens to move.
The most basic items are those they can take outside to kick, shoot or toss around.
A fun indoor game is , which is basically target practice with rings and bean bags. Indoor bocce, if you will. For two to four players, this game is created by Gamewright.
, by Fat Brain Toys, mimics puddle jumping with elevated, triangular, rubber pads that children can scramble over and jump between to develop balance and co-ordination. And it might keep them off the furniture.
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Let them know it's Christmastime
Finally, for families that can鈥檛 guarantee their children will receive gifts this year, consider donating to the .
Teens and tweens are particularly in need, according to executive director Chris Bayliss. Only a small percentage of donated gifts are considered specific to tween and teen youth (up to age 16). Recommended gifts include gender-neutral electronics and gift cards. Bayliss also said make-up kits and haircare devices were popular items for tween and teenage girls.
For gender-neutral toys for all ages, the bureau also recommends outdoor toys like skateboards, kick scooters, sleds, bikes and balls for all kinds of sport as well as hockey equipment. Those are just the sporty items, of course. Puzzles, board games, books, art supplies, and electronics are also on many kids鈥� wish lists each year.听
The bureau accepts donations all year.
