Sports Basement

Basement Gift Guide: Give the gift of fun!

by Ariel Parrish, editor of the Basement Buzz

Give the gift of fun! A New York Times article earlier this year told us that people are happier when they spend money on rewarding experiences rather than stuff. We are seriously into facilitating great outdoor adventures here at SB, so here are some suggestions for packaging a few good ones into gifts.

Hit the slopes. Our snow rentals are the best deal around. A gift card for a weekend’s rental plus a lift ticket would make a great day for someone who balks at the expense of winter sports. If your recipient is a beginner, you could include a lesson, too.

Plunge into the Bay. Give a little nudge to that friend who’s been talking about trying their first open-water swim race or triathlon. A new wetsuit is a big purchase, but our wetsuit rentals are reasonable. We sell a great DVD and several books about open-water swimming. And if you’re really feeling generous, pay the entry fee for your friend’s first Alcatraz swim!

Hit the trails. The Bay Area is a wonderland for hikers. We offer trail maps for areas nearby (Mt. Tam, Santa Cruz, Mt. Diablo, Golden Gate Park) and far (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Hawaii and more). Pack a new trail map inside a CamelBak pack or bottle with the promise of a hiking date.

Take a different view of the snow. Not everyone is into speeding downhill over the white stuff, but there’s plenty of winter fun to be had nonetheless. We rent and sell snowshoes and cross-country skis (new this season!). Box up a new pair of snowshoes or a gift card for a rental along with an insulated thermos and some hot cocoa mix. Endurance junkies will love the workout and snow newbies will find a fun activity to do while their friends are on the mountain. Walking or gliding through snowy trees is a magical and addictive experience.

Ride the Golden Gate Bridge. It may seem like no big deal to those of us who cross the orange span daily or weekly, but the prospect of riding across the Golden Gate Bridge is exciting to people who’ve never done it before. Our Presidio store offers bike rentals, is close to the Bridge and has plenty of free parking. We also have a great selection of cycling books and maps. For a classic San Francisco two-wheeled adventure, wrap up a gift card for a day’s bike rental, a Golden Gate Hiking & Biking map, and a Blue & Gold ferry schedule. Out-of-towners in particular will love this experience. Remind them to dress in layers, stop for coffee along the way and take time to enjoy the views!

Find inner peace and outer strength. Yoga classes can be intimidating to the uninitiated. Encourage a first-timer with a yoga mat, a beginning yoga DVD, and a link to the schedule of free yoga classes in our stores.

Put a kid on two wheels. It’s amazing to watch a toddler straddle a no-pedals balance bike and experience the sheer joy of riding. We sell both Skuuts and Adams Runner bikes. Be sure to include a fun helmet for the kiddo and a copy of Bicycling with Children: A Complete How-to Guide for his or her parents!

Posted on 12/13/2010 in Camping, Hiking & Travel, Cycling, Snow Sports, Swimming, Yoga | Tags: Gift Guides | Comments (0)