Holiday Gift Giving Done Right

I saw a headline today “Holiday Gifts Every Golfer Will Love”.  I asked myself how could the authors really know that?  I mean I see these lists and some of the items are not even close to being something I would ask for.

After stewing about this for a minute, I thought it might be good to research what makes a gift great, regardless of whether it’s golf related or not.

Here’s the crux of the problem: When evaluating the quality of a gift, givers primarily focus on the moment of the exchange.  However, recipients instead mostly focus on how valuable a gift will be throughout their ownership of it.  My husband, whether he knew what was doing or not, recently followed this axiom.  He gave me the Nambe Santa pictured here for my birthday in early December.  It fits in with my holiday collection of Nambe.  I will enjoy it for years to come.  Good job, hubby.

BTW, I found this information in an article entitled “Why Certain Gifts Are Great to Give But Not to Get: A Framework for Understanding Errors in Gift Giving” in an academic journal.  Without getting too technical, here are a couple more findings from the study above and others:

• Givers err in predicting how much recipients value the resources expended to obtain a gift.  Givers believe the amount of thought they put into a gift plays a significant part in the recipient’s assessment of that gift, when the gift’s absolute quality matters more.

• Givers think that more expensive gifts seem more thoughtful; recipients do not.

• Givers value that an unrequested gift can potentially surprise the recipient upon being opened and demonstrate that the giver actively thought of, and searched for, a gift.  That is, givers choose unrequested gifts believing that even though a requested gift clearly matches the recipient’s preferences, an unrequested gift will likely result in a particularly positive gift exchange.  Recipients, on the other hand, favor gifts they explicitly request, because such gifts match their preferences.

Ok, enough academic thought.  Here are some basic and yet useful gifts to consider this year, across a wide price range.

$10-$49 Gifts

Ball retriever (collapsible).  I’ve posted about this in the past — you may think this is a cheap gift, and it is, but it’s also a great and very useful gift.  Easily fits into the pocket of your bag so it’s out of sight.  This makes a great stocking stuffer too. ($21.99)

 

Caddie Buddy. I bought one of these last year when my friend My showed me hers.  I didn’t use it at first and now I can’t live without it.  The Caddy Buddy Golf Cart Steering Wheel Phone Mount allows you be able to see and access your scorecard, while your phone is securely attached on top.  I used to worry that I’d lost my phone somewhere on the course because I’d just toss it in the cubby (my husband does this and loses his phone frequently).   This is especially helpful when you are playing in a tournament and using Golf Genius or another golf/scoring app.  ($29.95)

 

 

Mini Clipboard.  K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid).  I love these because they are so stupidly simple and completely useful, and make great stocking stuffers as well!  It’s not glamorous at all but perfect when you need to keep score, especially in a tournament when you aren’t driving the cart.  I keep one in my golf bag at all times.  You won’t lose the official scorecard you are given, nor your pencil.  ($11.99 for 5)

Callaway Golf Women’s Thermal Grip, Cold Weather Golf Gloves.  I have found these to be some of the best and very reasonably priced. (I think they are better and lower priced than the Footjoy).  They have a really good grip to help you play in the cold.  Don’t get caught without a set of these in cool weather. ($29.95)

 

Skorzie Ball Mark Necklace.  I mentioned this in several posts because it’s such a great gift for that golfer girlfriend ($28.50).  These David Yurman inspired necklaces look amazing.  You can hook any ball marker of your choice with either any ball marker clip or you can purchase the blingy ball mark pendant!  ($9.99)

 

Golf Trunk Organizer | Waterproof Collapsible Car Golf Storage.  My friend had this in her car and I thought it was the best thing ever.  I am constantly trying to keep my trunk organized (unsuccessfully) and this is on my list.  It is not the most exciting gift but it’s certainly a useful one!  ($48.00)

 

 

 

Personal Golf Tote wth Custom Embroidery.  These were another tee gift at my tournament last month.  If you haven’t seen these, they fit nicely over the arm on the side of the cart.  They look great and you can personalize with a name – this really is such a great gift. ($41.99).

 

$50-$99 Gifts

Who wouldn’t love a gift card to: PGA Super Store, Dick’s or Golf Galaxy?

or how about a gift card to you or your friend’s favorite clothing line?  You can’t go wrong there…

TJ GOLF  *  Nailed Golf * TzuTzu * Dunning * SanSoleil * SKORZIE * Golftini * Glove It * Kinona * JoFit * Lohla Sport * Olaya Sport * Amy Sport * SKEA

TecTecTec! TEAM8 S Golf GPS Bluetooth Speaker.  This is my favorite toy for the golf course.  It’s so compact and easy to use — these were another tee gift for my player at The Woman Golfer Las Vegas Invitational.  Personally, I think these are the best thing since sliced bread!  This has a built-in super magnet that sticks to your cart, and provides distances as well as great sound.  Now only $59.00 — what a steal since they are normally $100!

 

 

Rechargeable Heated Mittens.  These are the bomb!  Seriously.  I have given (and told) so many people about these (they have gloves also).  Recharge overnight and these babies are ready for your cold morning on the course.  ($99.99). This is my gift to the cart paddock staff and starters at my club this year.

 

$100 and Over Gifts

Speed Sticks.  I’ve written bout the SuperSpeed Golf | Swing Speed Training System numerous times and I think these are one of the best training aids out there.  A little on the pricier side but current on sale for $149.00.  These make for an awesome gift that you will use year-round (great for winter training).  Using consistently will help improve your swing speed and accelerate through the ball.

 

Rangefinder.  This is always a great gift.  I love my KLYR Rangefinder by TecTecTec.  Just a little smaller than your average unit and a little better priced.  Has the super magnet so it will attach to your cart and includes the slope adjustment should you want to turn it on.  ($199)

 

Oakley Sunglasses.  I still love my EVZero™ Blades and get tons of compliments on them.  Oakley consistently makes a high quality, durable sunglasses and stands by them if they are damaged or need parts replaced.  ($234.00)

 

Gift Card for a round at you or your friend’s favorite course – is there a Troon course near you? They operate 700+ courses worldwide.

 

Southwest Airlines Gift Card.  I know Costco is currently selling these at a discounted rate.  You can also customize for whatever amount you like to contribute all or part of a fare to a great golf resort. Go directly on the Southwest site.

If you have other ideas for me to add to this list, don’t hesitate to write.I will send additions out right away so you can add them to the email or list you give to your friends and relatives.