I am in need of a soccer coach gift for my sons under 12 team. Our last game is Nov. 3 and so is our end of the season party. I have been researching gifts, but have not come up with anything I am to excited about. In the past, we have given him gift cards to Outback Steakhouse, because that is his favorite place to eat, a glass plaque like coaches trophy, a blanket with all of their pictures on it. Each of the kids are getting a pillow they can have each team member autograph and we have got one for him, too. I have been considering a wooden soccer ball that comes with team logo and roster on it. I had considered a clipboard with the teams picture on it, but he doesn't use a clipboard. I don't have much time, but I could use any help you can give me.
Thanks everyone for all the ideas and input on the coaches gift. Because of the response from the the mom who was a coaches wife, I decided to go ahead and get a gift card. Especially since I didn't have very much time before I had to have something. Some of the other ideas were good. I just didn't feel like I had enough time to do them well. I had considered the gift card idea, but was afraid that it might be considered overdone. I guess when you think about it a gift card is a good thought if you KNOW it is to some place they like and it will be used. I ended up buying him a $50.00 gift card to Outback, which I know is one of his favorite places to eat. With that much on a gift card, he and his wife could enjoy a well deserved meal. He works odd shifts for UPS and she is busy working and keeping up with their four kids. Thanks for all the great ideas.
We get our coach a gift card to Academy sports store every season. Every player pitches in $5 each, so we normally end up with $40-$50. He loves sports and so do his kids, so I know he appreciates the gift card. (Plus, Academy carries so many other things also.)
Hi L.,
I know you may be bored with the restaurant gift card but I'm telling you that every one my husband has gotten as team and individual thank you's for coaching has been greatly loved and appreciated. I have tended to stay away from momento stuff when buying gifts for coaches or teachers because over the years that stuff can add up and take up quite a bit of space (especially if you have kids that bring home projects that need to be displayed). Just wanted to share my opinion, but I'm sure whatever you end up giving will be apreciated.
Hi L.!
My husband is a soccer coach and very physically active as well. This year he purchased out of pocket some of the equipment for the team to use during practice and he got it from Academy. I know that a gift certificate could be useful from there for future soccer gear and I think that any guy would love the gift because they have so many great outdoor things there. My husband loves to fish, camp, run, etc. If you know some of the coaches hobbies you could find a gift that he could use doing the things that he enjoys in his past time. He would probably be surprised and impressed that you noticed his interests and thought of something personal for him. I know that my husband would be very appreciative and would think that it was VERY thoughtful. Or you could take some snapshots of him coaching at practice or during a game with the kids and put in into a little album for him. He could be able to look back at the kids and himself for years to come. Good luck and you are so sweet to think of a gift for him!!
L.,
I agree with Glenda on the gift card. Momentos, although nice, are more of a woman's thing. Give him a chance to relax, especially for dinner somewhere. I do like the Academy gift card idea. Coaches are always wanting or needing something new for the team and a gift card like that always comes in handy. Good luck!
We gave our coach a Chili's gift card! Several of us moms went in together and gave him $50 worth so he could take his family and enjoy a yummy meal! Most men love food!! (and their wives appreciate not having to cook for a night!)LOL! Blessings, J.
I agree about the food gift cards. My husband gets gifts from his staff and this last time, he was sooo disappointed that it was a gift card for a department store (although he would love an Academy one). His quote to me was "I was hoping for food." Men just love food. And if he loves the kind you've gotten him before, he may be counting on it. Or you can ask his wife. If they've had conversations about wishing for something different, she'll be able to give you ideas.
If he enjoys the finer things in life, you could get him an hour professional massage at massage heights or massage envy for $39.
They are awesome!
Also at Dillards they have a digital photo keychain for either 29 or 39 bucks and you can download 42 photos onto it.
Hi L., try this place http://www.thingsremembered.com they have alot of nice things there:)
Check out J..yoursmh.com. You can personalize keychains and stuff. If you like it contact me at ____@____.com. Shipping is direct to you. Although it might not make it in time. Usually about two weeks. Great gift ideas though. Good luck.
go to a sporting goods store and se if they have a soft soccer ball. then go to hobby lobby/michaels and get a paint marker and have the children sign their names on it or something to that effect.
It is almost too late. But I got a call last night telling me FC DAllas soccer team in Frisco is in the play offs. They have tickets for $14 a piece. I spoke with a woman named Jamie who offered this to me. If you want more infor let me know. But we got tickets for our coach and his whole family for less than $10 a player and players want to go that might be fun as well. Good Luck! L.
Those all sound like great ideas.
How about a "memory book"? You can go to mypublisher.com and they do an awesome job at making personalized memory books. Just send in as many picturs of the team you can get together with the other parents.
We gave our coaches american express gift cards and personalized "Coach" shirts. It had their names embroidered on the front, and "2006 Firestars Coach" on the back. They LOVED them, and they were not terribly expensive!
I saw this idea after the end of the season party last year and since we moved, we havent joined any leagues, yet, but soon. Anyway these are such awesome ideas I need to share them
I found them on Family Fun magazine, I believe, if not it was a parenting magazine on line-like parenting.com or parents.com.
Anyway- one idea is framed photo of the team in members on recycled papertowel rolls, but the cool part is that the pictures are Christmas ornaments. So they can remember the team throughout the end of the year.
OR, put the photo of the team on a duffel bag and title it "Inspiration" or something cute like that.
Last, is a spirit stick that all the members personalize and then put together for their coaches.
Try those links or google. If you would rather purchase something, there is a website called redenvelope that always has very tasteful ideas.
Enjoy the end of the fall season.
M.
How about going to a pottery place. I am sure you will find something you can all make for him.
L.~
We are making our soccer coaches a digital photo/scrapbook album. We gathered photos -practice candids and from the games to make a book. We added individual photos of the players and asked them what they liked about soccer & their coaches and are writing it in the book.
We're able to put the effort into making "one book," but getting two for the coaches. Then we as parents can get a copy too. The software is FREE @ my website: www.mycmsite.com/daniellemohr and you don't pay anything til you upload it. If you have questions just ask - I've made lots of these albums (my mom's wedding, my son's school, our trip to Disney and more).
Good luck and enjoy the rest of your season.
Sincerely,
D.
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Make you own album as a holiday gift:
www.mycmsite.com/daniellemohr
How much are you all willing to spend? If he likes to play golf, pay for the cart rental. If he likes football, pay for the pizza to be sent to his house on game day. If he likes music, have the kids sing a song to a familiar tune but change the words to fit soccer and who he his. Video tape it and put it on a dvd so he can look at it and just laugh and remember the kids he coached. Maybe getting him a back pack or sports bag and have the kids fill it with thank you notes, snacks, golf balls or pool cue chalk, I-tunes gift card, with stuff he's into. When someone receives something that shows you know them and put some thought into, it really makes them feel more special.
gift card to a sporting store?
