Athlete Stocking Stuffers: Fun and Easy Ideas
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With Christmas quickly approaching, it can be helpful to have a variety of fun and easy stocking stuffer ideas for athletes.
Here are some of my favorite items you can add to your athlete’s stocking this season.
Athlete Stocking Stuffers: Accessories
Athletic Socks
Athletic socks are a perfect addition to an athlete’s stocking. This Christmas consider adding Bombas® athletic socks to your athlete’s stocking.
Bombas not only makes amazing, high-quality socks, they also make a difference. For each pair of Bombas socks purchased, a pair is donated to support those in need.
Bombas socks are a gift that your athlete will enjoy and that will make a positive impact this season.
Beanie Winter Hat
Add the gift of warmth to your athlete’s stocking with a Carhartt® Knit Cuffed Beanie. This soft and stretchy rib-knit hat will keep your athlete’s head warm throughout the season.
The beanie comes in a variety of fun colors so you can have fun selecting one that is perfect for your favorite athlete.
Athlete Stocking Stuffers: Kitchen Gadgets
Taco Holders
Taco holder stands can be a fun addition to your athlete’s stocking. A taco stand holds the tacos upright – making them easy to fill and eat.
The Aofure® Taco Holder Stands are an inexpensive and colorful option. We purchased this taco holder set and use them every time we have tacos for dinner.
These taco holders are dishwasher and microwave safe, as well as BPA free. Each taco stand holds 3 tacos, making it perfect for each individual at the table.
Digital Food Thermometer
Cooking food to the correct temperature is an important aspect of food safety. Adding a digital food thermometer to your athlete’s stocking can be a great gift, especially if they live in an apartment and are cooking on their own.
The ThermoPro® Digital Thermometer is a good stocking stuffer option. The thermometer will quickly measure the internal temperature of food cooking in the oven or on the grill.
In addition, the thermometer is waterproof, allowing for easy clean-up after cooking.
Athlete Stocking Stuffers: Hydration
Hydration is important for an athlete’s health as well as sports performance. Consider adding items to your athletes stocking that help support their hydration goals.
Stanley Water Bottle
A Stanley® water bottle in a bright color is a great stocking stuffer for athletes Their water bottles are BPA free and dishwasher safe making them a great option for athletes.
Stanleys come in a variety of fun colors and size options. Thus, you can find one that is perfect for your athlete’s individual preferences.
Hydration Tip: I recommend athletes carry a reusable water bottle with them throughout the day to support their daily hydration needs.
Individual Packets of Sports Drink Mix
Along with the water bottle, consider adding individual packets of your athlete’s favorite sports drink mix to their stocking.
I encourage athletes to keep individual packets of their favorite sports drink mix in their gym bag. This can help ensure they have their desired hydration beverage available for intense afterschool sports practices as well as for game days.
Athlete Stocking Stuffers: Easy Ideas
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is always an easy and practical addition to an athletes stocking. When selecting a hand sanitizer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends choosing an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
The Touchland® hand sanitizing mists are a great option for athletes. The sprays contain 70% alcohol, aloe vera, and essential oils. Thus, they not only sanitize your hands, they moisturize them as well.
Best of all the Touchland sprays come in a convenient travel size container, which is perfect for athletes to throw in their gym bag.
Lip Balm
You can’t go wrong adding a few lip balms to your athlete’s stocking this season. Burt’s Bees® is a great option, for both male and female athletes, to keep their lips moisturized throughout the cold winter months.
The Burt’s Bees tint-free lip balms contain Vitamin E and beeswax to help keep lips hydrated. They come in a variety of fun flavors, including holiday favorites such as vanilla bean, shortbread cookie, and peppermint.
Sweet Treats
If you want to add gummy candy or other sweet treats to an athlete’s stocking this Christmas, consider Smart Sweets®.
Smart Sweets candy contains no artificial sweeteners or added sugars, making them a great stocking stuffer addition. They offer alternatives for popular gummy candies, such as Sweet FishTM, Peach Rings, Gummy Worms, and Sour Blast BuddiesTM.
Restaurant Gift Cards
Gift cards to favorite restaurants are always a great stocking stuffer option for athletes. Try to choose both casual dining and fast-food restaurants that offer healthier options for athletes to enjoy.
Below are some options, with links included to blogs that provide recommendations on top choices for athletes.
- Texas Roadhouse
- Chili’s
- Applebee’s
- Jason’s Deli
- Panera Bread
- Chick-fil-A
- Chipotle
- CAVA
- Panda Express
- Jersey Mike’s
Make sure to download my healthy eating out guide for athletes to print and put with the gift cards.
Healthy Athlete Stocking Stuffers: Snacks
Finally, consider adding a variety of healthy snacks to your athlete’s stocking this Christmas.
Packaged snacks that athletes can enjoy before or after a workout to support their sports nutrition needs are a great healthy holiday option.
Some of my favorite snack items for athletes include:
- Gourmet Nut® Power Up Trail Mix: Trail mix varieties made with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit
- Righteous Felon®: Beef and turkey jerky
- Chomps®: Beef and turkey sticks
- Kate’s® Real Food: Protein bars and energy bars
- Made Good®: Granola bars and minis
- That’s It: Fruit Bars
- Skinny Pop®: Popcorn
Athlete Stocking Stuffers: Fun and Easy Ideas
You are now set with a variety of fun and easy stocking stuffer ideas for athletes. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
For additional gift ideas, make sure to check out my blog with 15 sports nutrition Christmas gift ideas for athletes.
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About the Author
Mandy Tyler is a Sports Dietitian Nutritionist in the San Antonio, TX area. She is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Licensed Athletic Trainer, and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. Mandy has experience working with athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. She believes the key to reaching one’s full potential, both in everyday life and in sports performance, relies on a healthy nutritional foundation.
If you are looking to take your performance to the next level, make sure to check out my new Sports Nutrition Game Day Guide. This downloadable guide is written to help athletes develop an individualized plan to achieve peak performance on game day.
