Buying for someone who trains is harder than it looks. They already own the trainers. They have strong opinions about their water bottle. Whatever you choose has to be useful enough to earn a place in the bag.
These are our suggestions for the active people in your life this winter. Most of them have nothing to do with us. One does. We've put it where it belongs: in the stocking.
Under £15
- Merino or technical sports socks. Every runner, walker and footballer goes through socks faster than they admit.
- A proper kit bag organiser or wash bag. Keeps the clean towel away from the muddy boots.
- Sock tape and a spare set of laces. Small, cheap and always running out.
- A head torch. For anyone who runs, walks the dog or cycles before sunrise in winter.
£15 to £50
- An insulated water bottle. Hot drinks on the touchline in January, cold water in the gym in July.
- A changing robe or warm hooded towel. Popular with open-water swimmers and anyone who gets changed outdoors.
- A coffee stop voucher. For the cyclist whose Sunday ride is really about the cafe at mile thirty.
- Magic Oil PURE. A 10ml cobalt-blue roll-on, two ingredients, made in the UK. £45 with free UK shipping.
Experiences
- A class pass at their local climbing wall, boxing gym or yoga studio.
- A race or sportive entry. Check the date with them first.
- A sports massage with a qualified sports therapist near them.
Why Magic Oil PURE works as a gift
It is small, it looks good and it is something most people wouldn't buy for themselves. The heavy cobalt-blue glass and white cap feel like a considered present rather than a last-minute grab. It fits a stocking, a kit bag side pocket and a washbag.
It also has a short, easy story to tell when it's opened. Two ingredients: cold-pressed hemp seed oil and a multi-strain hemp extract. Cannabinoids not detected, UKAS lab tested. CPSR certified. Made in the UK.
Winter routines worth starting
Winter is when routines get tested. Dark mornings, first frost on the car and Bonfire Night drizzle all make it easier to skip the warm-up and rush the cool-down. A few habits that help:
- Lay your kit out the night before, so the cold morning decision is already made.
- Add an extra layer for the warm-up. You can take it off once you're moving.
- Get changed out of wet kit as soon as you finish.
- Keep the cool-down, even when it's cold. Five easy minutes is better than none.
