Student Athlete Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Giving Guide for Athletes (and Parents!):

Shopping for others can be hard. And with endless amounts of content right in front of us at all times and trends constantly changing, shopping for teens and pre-teens can get overwhelming very quickly… So, I thought I’d help (and throw more content at you LOL )! But seriously, I also know first hand how valuable it is to get advice and suggestions from people I know, like, and trust (which is actually how this idea came about!). Hopefully I am all of those things to you and you find this useful. If not, no offense taken! 

As a preface, athletes are fully engaged in their sport all year round these days (except for my athletes who take breaks in the summer!), so for the holidays it is nice to acknowledge the other parts of them that make them, them. And it wouldn’t be an email from me if I didn’t also mention the importance of doing other things and nurturing other parts of themselves as a way to properly develop their whole identity, so… there’s that as well. If you’d like a refresher on that, you can read my blog here. 

Now, onto the good stuff! I’m not saying steer clear of all things to do with their sport. I’m saying sprinkle in some other things too. Including some non-material things like adventures and family outings where memories can be created. Those are way more valuable than any object they’ll receive. So, in addition to some sock tape, stick wax, new cleats, or bats, here are some ideas!  

Here's an Easy One: Grab "The Empowered Athlete" :)

For FUN

• Adventures (amusement park, indoor rock climbing, trampoline park, etc.)
• Something to do with their other hobbies (ie: a guitar lesson, concert tickets, ski passes)
• A “You Pick” Day where they get to plan a day of fun for the family
• A gift card or pass to try something NEW (Groupon always has fun local "things to do" with lots of new ideas like cooking classes or boat excursions for example) 

For Physical Health

• A gift card for a massage

• Sauna membership (if age appropriate)

• Foam roller or massage ball (bonus if it's small and can fit in their suitcase for tournaments!)

• Fitness tracker/smartwatch: preferably something that encourages moments of mindfulness and breathwork

• Gift card for a haircut or Mani/pedi (I used to love these when I came home from college! Never had time to do it while in school )

• My good friend and partner in crime Stefanie Rock of @rock_performance created a 90 day nutrition journal for athletes. It's insanely helpful and totally free! Download that for your athlete, HERE!

For Tournament Travel

• Travel kit (ear plugs, eye mask, slipper socks, comfy sweats)
•  Headphones or earbuds
•  Audible subscription or audio books
• Travel blanket or pillow
• Shower steamers for after games
• Puzzle books or coloring books to help them get into 'orange zone' between games
• A really comfy sweatshirt and great book to read while they're on break or flying to their next tourney... see below!

For Mindset/Performance

• "The Empowered Athlete" by ME 😉 -- great for pre-teens, teens, parents, and coaches! The ultimate self-paced, step-by-step guide to propel their performance to the next level (both in sport and in life) -- it's what I wish I had as an elite athlete! Grab a signed copy, HERE!
• Time Management Crash Course -- 2 sessions with me to deep dive into the student-athlete's current time management/ scheduling system, work load, and a complete overhaul and game plan for moving forward into the new year -- only 5 spots available! 20% off of $600. Reply to this email for those!
• One of my self-paced programs to help set them up for success in 2024! Check those out on my website, HERE.

 For YOU, the Parent!

If you're like me and only shop for yourself during Christmas, here are some self-care ideas you deserve!

• Breathwork sessions: Ease parental and athlete stress with regular breathwork. My coach Meghan offers holiday specials. Find her HERE and tell her I sent you. 
• "Creating Young Minds" by Dr. Shira Ackerman: A must-read for positive youth athlete impact. Quick yet impactful; perfect for your next travel read!
• "No Ordinary Dog" by Will Chesney: An emotional and incredible read, especially for dog lovers. Keep tissues handy!
• Self-Care Essentials: I've prioritized monthly massages, mani/pedi's, facials, regular haircuts, new clothes, and even a night out or mini getaway this past year and felt noticeably different in my day-to-day. As parents, we often neglect ourselves. Take time this month for at least one of these treats. You deserve it! 

Wishing you lots of luck as you navigate through this holiday season! Always remember, when you give your athlete (and yourself) nothing but love and unwavering support, you're already winning.