Squash players, we’re a fussy old bunch. People who play squash are notoriously difficult to buy Christmas presents for. Fear not, the SquashGearReviews.com Christmas Present Guide is here to help you find the best Christmas presents for squash players!
If your partner, friend, colleague or relative plays squash regularly, the first thing I’ll say is this – don’t buy them a squash racket for Christmas! Unless you know exactly which racket they’d like, buying a squash racket for someone is a recipe for disaster. Unless you want to see someone awkwardly smile with dread as they see a squash racket shaped gift bag, steer well clear!
My best advice: Keep it simple. There’s some things that are bound to put a smile on any squash players face. Starting with budget friendly stocking fillers, all the way to ‘main present’ worthy items, we’ve covered all the things a squash player would be happy to see Santa bring down the chimney!
1 – Squash balls
So simple, yet so effective. Squash balls only stay in a ‘good’ condition for around three matches before they become soft, spongy and lose their grip. Squash players can never have too many squash balls in their bag. They make a perfect Christmas stocking filler for any avid squash player. The safest bet is to buy Dunlop Double Yellow Dot balls as the majority of squash players use these.
2 – A sports towel
With Coronavirus posing extra restrictions on the way we play squash, players need to take extra care when it comes to hygiene. A proper microfibre sports towel helps eliminate sweat quicker and more effectively, and will fit neatly into a squash bag.
The Amazon Eono range is well priced, convenient and perfect for drying sweat. Heavily recommended as a Christmas present for squash players!
3 – Headbands or wristbands
With lockdowns happening all throughout the winter, a headband might be the perfect present if whomever you’re buying a present for struggled to find their way to a barbershop.
Much like a sports towel, headbands and wristbands should also help to make playing squash more hygienic by absorbing sweat.
Headbands on PDHSports
Wristbands on PDHSports
4 – A foam roller
The main complaint you’ll hear from squash players is aching muscles and joints. A foam roller is a great way to address any aches and pains directly. They can help relieve muscle tightness, soreness and inflammation, and increase range of motion in joints.
You can pick up basic foam rollers for under £15. You can also get more up-market versions with built in vibration which further aid their recovery capabilities.
Foam rollers and Massage accessories at PDH Sports
5 – A reaction ball
A nice little stocking filler. Being able to react to an opponents shot is one of the most important skills for a squash player. The reaction ball is great for speeding up players’ reactions.
6 – Squash clothing
A fairly failsafe bet. Squash gear can get pretty grim pretty quickly, so people who play squash will always appreciate fresh new clothes to play in. Clothes can range from simple Adidas/Nike sports tops that you can pick up in Sports Direct, to more squash focussed brands. Squash brands will likely be more expensive, but they’re infinitely cooler on a squash court.
You can also look at things like jumpers, joggers and coats for off-the-court clothing. The below kits are all super safe bets!
You’ll get extra Christmas present points if you match the brand of clothing to the racket they use!
7 – A new pair of shoes (be careful!)
If someone plays squash regularly, the chances are their shoes won’t last very long. Having an extra pair is always going to be useful! While players might not be overly-fussy with the shoes they wear, if you can get the same model of shoe, it’s the safest bet. I would err on the side of caution if you’re not sure which shoes they wear and whether they’re particular about them.
PDHSports have a wide variety of squash shoes available for UK buyers, as well as Amazon below.
You can read squash shoe reviews right here on squashgearreviews.com.
8 – A new squash bag
Want a present you know won’t end up in a cupboard? If whomever you’re buying a present for’s squash bag is looking worse for wear, a new bag is a safe purchase! You’re probably best-off trying to find a bag that’s the same size as the one they already use, as it’s easy to get bags that are either far too small, or way too big.
Search Amazon for squash bags
Squash bags on PDHSports (UK)
Squash bags on QSS Squash (EU)
9 – Sports headphones / earphones
If the squash player you’re buying a Christmas gift for is more of a techie, you might want to consider some sports headphones. It’s not unimaginable that with coronavirus restrictions changing constantly, players may have to resort to ‘solo practise’. If that does happen, a pair of sports headphones would be invaluable to pass the time on court.
10 – A sports watch
Good sports watches can now be picked up for a really stellar price online. Even low priced watches can still provide lots of data that squash players will love. The only problem is the mobile apps that accompany them often leave a lot to be desired.
If you’re looking for a main Christmas present, a high quality smart watch is a brilliant shout. For most people, a FitBit will be perfect – just make sure it has a heart rate sensor. If they’re an iPhone user (and you really, really love them!), an Apple Watch would glimmer underneath the Christmas tree.
11 – The Racketware Squash Sensor
Similar to a smartwatch, this is a present for any squash player who loves data. It’s a nifty device that attaches to the end of a player’s squash racket, and feeds back vital technical information about their swing, match tactics, game statistics and more.
Like good quality smart watches, it’s a little pricy, though it’s a very thoughtful Christmas present for amateur squash players. The only downside is it does add a little weight and bulk to the bottom of the squash racket which some players may not like. If you can try and do some digging as to whether it’s something they’d want, it would definitely be worth it.
Racketware sensor at PDHSports
Bonus present – Prefer to play it safe? Vouchers!
If your partner, relative, friend or co-worker is fussy and choosing them a present is just too much pressure, vouchers are likely to never go a-miss!
And that’s it for the Squash Gear Reviews Christmas Gifts for Squash Players Guide. Hopefully we’ve helped you on your way to finding the perfect Christmas present for your friends, colleagues and loved ones.
Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year, with much love from squashgearreviews.com.
P.S, Any Amazon links within this page are affiliate links. They’re awesome. If you follow the link from this post, it’ll cost you the exact same as normal, and I’ll receive a small referral fee which helps me cover the costs of running this site (and Christmas presents!).