Sometimes it's tough to come up with the perfect gift idea, so we've simplified things by breaking them down into five price ranges. We've also provided links to assist in purchasing these items online. So do your part to get the wake gifts flowing and get your holiday shopping completed in the process!
Clearance
Gifts Priced Under $50
This low-dollar category always seems to be the most popular since most wakeboarders have already spent all their money on gas and Taco Bell. It also covers the ever-popular stocking-stuffer segment. Therefore, we'll try to give you as many ideas as possible.
The best place to find budget-friendly gifts is in the soft goods section of most stores. For example, you'll find shirts, hats, hoodies, towels, cups, stickers, coozies and much more in the Liquid Force soft goods store. And don't forget to outfit your loved ones in our own WakeWorld Gear, especially our new hoodies ($25) and long-sleeve tees ($17) for the cold holiday weather. We also added some kids and infant sizes starting at only $8.
Other obvious stocking stuffers are wakeboarding and wakeskating videos. They're usually priced at less than 25 bucks, so you really can't go wrong, especially with the crop of videos that hit the market this year. Look for Overdue, Asterisk, Relentless, Fill in the Blanks, Exposed, Welcome, Retrospect, Shock and Awe, Pre Pop, Man Overboard, Wake Trix and plenty more.
Finally, you can always go the calendar route, usually for less than $12. Check out our profile of the 2005 wakeboarding calendars that are available now.
If none of those work for you, check out this list of goodies...
Gifts Priced Between $50 and $100
Now we're digging a little deeper into the pockets for our philanthropy and really letting those feelings show. Here is where you'll find a lot of wakeskating equipment such as the upcoming Jetpilot Stylus wakeskate shoe ($65). If your intended recipient owns a boat, you could get them a Monster Tower Mirror Mount ($90) or a Fly High 600 lb. Coverless Fat Sac ($80).
Here are a few more that will keep you under the century mark...
Gifts Priced Between $100 and $250
Now we've stepped up to a category that will most likely have you pulling out a credit card, so even more care is necessary. When we're talking about using plastic, the giftee must be somebody whom we do not want to offend and, further, would like to impress. I'd recommend some stockings that you don't hang over the fireplace and will guarantee them a season of comfort like the Hyperlite Era Bindings ($260).
If they don't need bindings, give them a big bag of water in the form of some Fluid Concepts Custom Ballast Bags ($128 and up).
While you've got the plastic out, you might as well grab some of these as well...
Gifts Priced Between $250 and $20,000
Our next range of gifts encompasses most boards and bindings. As we hop into the pool of top-of-the-line boards and bindings, we find it deep and wide. Start by using our WakeWorld Board Wizard to narrow down your choices. Many would be happy to receive the O'Brien Valhalla with its Crook fins sticking out of the wrapping paper. If your target already has a wakeboard, perhaps it's time they took up wakesurfing with one of Inland Surfer's Wakesurf Boards.
If all you need is a rack on which to hang all those boards, you'll find the Roswell Wake-Air Dream Rider Tower to be the ultimate "board hanger."
Still don't know what to do with all those dollars? Try some of these suggestions...
Gifts Priced Over $20,000
If you're even reading this section, you're either bound by law or some type of blackmail to get your loved one a very hefty gift. Chances are, a gift with this kind of price tag isn't even going to fit under the tree. In fact, if you decide to pick up the roomy and well-appointed 2005 Tige 24V you probably won't even be able to fit it into your garage! I guess if your gift involves financing, you might as well get the garage while you're at it.
When spending over $20,000, the options are limitless, but here are a few to get you started...
Clearance Items
Don't forget that this is a great time of year to find reduced prices on 2004 gear that shops are trying to get rid of so they can order 2005 gear. Closeout sales are a goldmine for the thrifty shopper, so visit the following closeout centers and see if you can find some deals.
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How great is this time of the year? The wake-related gifts are flying fast and furious from and to every able-bodied wakeboarder on God's green earth! However, you have to give if you want to receive, so it's your job to get the ball rolling by spending some dollars on your friends and loved ones. Then, with any luck, you'll get some reciprocative love that will ensure you've got some new wake gear for the upcoming 2005 season. You might even go so far as to casually leave a copy of this article laying around or to email it out to those that may be looking for gift ideas for you.
