What to get for those who crave sports stuff?
Monday, December 22, 2008 9:26 PM PST
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E-mail this articleColumn by Janine Manny
For The Daily News
For weeks, news sources have been reporting that we’re “fearful” and “cautious” about this year’s holiday shopping.
That’s actually good news for us procrastinators, because we now have a good excuse for having no gifts under the tree with just four shopping days left until Christmas. If you don’t want to admit to being fearful or cautious, you can always blame the weather.
Don’t despair. With access to the Internet and a credit card, we’ll have your holiday shopping for the sports fans on your list finished in a jiffy. Some online companies, feeling quite fearful themselves, are offering free second-day shipping. There’s plenty of time.
Please, don’t wait until Wednesday’s thaw to run out and buy Chia Pets for everyone in your family, no matter how much you like Scooby Doo and Garfield.
Have an aspiring sportscaster at your house? Get him or her the ESPN Sportscaster Microphone for $14.99 at Toys-R-Us (toysrus.com). This microphone (emblazoned with the ESPN logo) connects to a speaker that amplifies the novice sportscaster’s voice as well as sound effects, such as SportsCenter music and applause for football, baseball and basketball games.
SportsCenter anchor Steve Levy lent his voice to the mic as well, so you can play his token phrases. A gift for all ages, but not good for a household with an easily irritated parent or spouse.
For the runner on your “nice” list, there is the Nike+ iPod Sports Kit. Available for $29 (free shipping) from the Apple Store (store.apple.com), you can turn your iPod nano or iPod touch into a personal trainer.
Insert the wireless sensor inside the custom, built-in pocket beneath the insole of your Nike+ shoe, then plug the receiver into the dock connector on your iPod. The iPod touch (second generation) includes built-in support for the system — no receiver necessary.
As you run or walk, the sensor sends information to your iPod, tracking your time, distance, pace and calories burned. Back at your computer, sync your iPod to transfer your workout data to iTunes and nikeplus.com. There, you can evaluate your performance history, set goals and even challenge other runners to a virtual race.
Oh, and the runner needs a pair of Nike+ shoes, which start at about $80 at store.nike.com.
Have a sports expert at your house? Challenge him to a game of ESPN Jeopardy! The game features more than 1,000 sports-themed Jeopardy! answers, and players choose from dozens of interesting and challenging categories. Available online for $19.99 to $24.99 at Toys-R-Us, Walmart.com, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Dick’s Sports and The Sports Authority.
Planning to pop the question to that special someone over the holidays? How about a Megatech radio-controlled Party Blimp? The 9-inch blimp with transmitter and antenna can be filled with helium (at any florist shop). Once filled, it is ready to fly around your house or back yard. It comes with stencils to decorate and write a message from “Happy Birthday” to “Marry Me.”
You could also fly a “Go Cowboys” blimp over an Oregon Duck tailgate party on Dec. 30. Duck fans love that kind of humor and frivolity.
The blimp comes with a choice of eight different strobe-light patterns and songs. Regularly $89,99 the blimp is on sale now through Amazon.com for $47.99
For the basketball fan on your list, how about a couple of tickets to a Portland Trail Blazers game?
According to eventticketscenter.com, tickets are available for the Dec. 30 home game against the Boston Celtics, starting at $39. Tickets for the Jan. 2 game at the Rose Garden against the New Orleans Hornets start at $20, and tickets for the Jan. 7 game against the Detroit Pistons start at $18 each.
What sports fan wouldn’t want to see blazing-hot Brandon “Who needs Greg Oden?” Roy on the court?
Here’s wishing you all a joyous holiday season, peace on earth and the strength to just say no to the Chia Pets.
Janine Manny is a freelance sportswriter for The Daily News. She can be reached at sports@tdn.com
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