Have you ever heard of the 5 Love Languages? The idea is that every person needs a specific expression of love, and it usually falls into one of these five categories: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Physical Touch, and Acts of Service. I receive love through Words of Affirmation and Quality Time, but I often like to express love by giving a thoughtful gift.
I think that cheer parents especially love gifting. The cheer community has so many creative, thoughtful ways of letting their athletes know how much we care about them. Check out this post for team gift ideas.
However, sometimes it can be hard to think of a unique gift for your own athlete, whether it’s for a birthday or holiday. Below are some ideas to help get you started:
Customized Bow
There are so many options to get customized bows made inexpensively. Check on Etsy, a booth at a competition, or even one of your fellow cheer parents!
Makeup
If your athlete watches makeup tutorials on YouTube, their favorite YouTuber probably has a makeup line of some sort. I once left a Christmas party early because we got word that the James Charles palette – which we couldn’t find anywhere – had been restocked at the Ulta near my house. Two hours later, it was gone.
Gym-Branded Items
I haven’t been part of a gym, large or small, that doesn’t give plenty of opportunities to buy stuff with the gym’s logo or team name on it: bows, t-shirts, towels, blankets, lunch boxes, backpacks…there’s something for everyone.
Personalized Suitcase or Bag
Last year for Christmas, I got a nice rolling suitcase for super cheap on Amazon Prime Day. I personalized it by putting one of our gym’s sparkly decals on the front of it. Affordable, super easy, and one-of-a-kind!
Useful Cheer Equipment
A successful and skilled athlete works in the gym AND at home. Grab your athlete a stunting block, a tumbling mat (you can get them for cheap on Amazon), or resistance bands to help them stretch. Of course, every cheerleader I’ve met has wanted a trampoline, but we also like to keep it affordable here at The Cheer Mom Blog.
Inspirational or Sentimental Items
Cheerleaders have the most grit I’ve ever seen. Although they are incredibly tough, they have a sentimental side, too (and don’t even get me started on their superstitions). Get them a gift that will mean something to them. Maybe it’s a necklace with mountain peaks on it to remind them it’s about the climb and not the destination, or something Disney-themed for all those exciting competitions at the Parks. You could even give them a shadow box with their first uniform or award.
