Now for the top gifts for the all important soccer parents! 

 

#1 Soccer Mom Gift - A Cruise! Yes, the poor lady has driven 3,000 miles this fall season, has hauled kids across the country every weekend and has lived out of a suit case for the last 3 months - so she is half-way packed already!  What a great way to break away from the soccer scene by going on a cruise before the spring season kicks off! 

 

#1 Soccer Dad Gift – A smart phone. Most soccer dads probably already have one but if you man-of-the-household doesn't, now is the perfect time to give him a phone upgrade.  Smart phones are extremely useful on the road to check and double check tournament schedules, keep up with soccer news, find alternate directions, and locate the nearest mall (wink, wink) or your favorite coffee shop! He will love all the apps that help him manage his soccer family and will engage in endless dialogue with other soccer dads about the best apps, gadgets, and stuff they can do with their smart phone.  All soccer dads need a smart phone, I'm just saying. 

 

#2 Soccer Parent Gift – GPS or map update. Again, most all soccer parents have a GPS but if not, it is an absolute must! If your current GPS doesn’t have free map updates, gift it! Nothing more frustrating than when your GPS tries to take you on a road that no longer exist or you encounter interstate junctions that have totally changed structures and she has to "recalculate"!  Make sure you get where you need to go and have the latest maps to get you there!  

 

#3 Soccer parent Gift - Shoes. Remember, feet are important to this game! A lot of soccer parents are runners; so discover their favorite brand, style and size of shoe and gift it.  A great momma gift for this time of the year are a warm pair of boots. Recently at Atlanta's Norcross tournament I scoped the feet of the spectators at the fields and 80% of the ladies were sporting some swagalicious boots! With fur, pompoms, buttons and everything beautiful! Not only are they adorable but they keep us warm during all those hours outdoors! Dad’s aren’t as worried about appearances but a water-proof pair of boots, classic sambas or his favorite Nike Air Max will definitely keep your man fabulous on the side line! 

 

#4 Soccer Parent Gift – Side-line chair. I get a kick out of all the styles, shapes, and gadget- enhanced-chairs parents drag on and off the field. Not to mention the giant umbrellas and mini-tents that are starting to populate the sidelines. These chairs seem to wear out and break down fairly quickly.  It is a great idea to upgrade to a sturdy, aluminum, side-table, cup-holder chair.   Even if we don’t sit in it the entire game, it is part of the soccer-parent-profile to have a great side-line chair in hand! 

 

#5 Soccer Parent Gift – A little soccer sumpin'-sumpin'! When you combine soccer and Christmas, it's just magical!  My very favorite Christmas decoration (I keep it out all year long) is a Santa figurine wearing a jersey, shouldering his soccer bag and holding a soccer ball – it doesn't get cuter than that! I am compelled to scoop out the Christmas tree ornaments in every store in search of the best soccer-themes ornaments! My most recent is an FC Dallas ginger bread-man we purchased from their gift store at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX.  I also have a classic blown-glass soccer ball and the ever popular snowman holding a soccer ball.  Soccer toboggans, house-slippers, scarves and blankets are all great gifts for the soccer enthusiast! Last year, our club DOC and his wife were expecting their first child; I found the coolest soccer-material online and ordered it. From there I teamed up with a seamstress who crafted the most adorable soccer-baby-blanket ever! It was also bright and colorful and brought smiles to faces. Anything soccer for Christmas is flawless! 

 

Time to play Soccer Santa and head out for that last minute Christmas shopping.  If it is anything soccer, it works! Enjoy the brief off-season, and have a delightful Holiday!