‘Tis the season where it seems that every site on the planet publishes a list of stocking stuffer recommendations. Some of those lists are oriented around gifting for tennis players and enthusiasts. The vast majority of tennis-specific gift recommendation lists annoy me for various reasons.
My primary irritation centers around sites that publish “tennis-specific” recommendations that make it clear that the author has absolutely no idea of what tennis players would actually want or need. I also have no patience with lists of “stocking stuffers” that don’t fit my criteria.
- The item actually has to fit in a stocking. For example, a can of tennis balls isn’t a stocking stuffer because it genuinely won’t fit.
- It has to be relatively inexpensive. While a diamond-encrusted “tennis bracelet” will undoubtedly fit into a stocking, the cost of that item moves it firmly into the “gift” category.
It is also traditional that from the publication of this post through the end of the year, all proceeds from the affiliate links appearing on this site are donated with a 100% match. This year, the American Cancer Society is the designated beneficiary.
If the last paragraph doesn’t make it obvious, starting your shopping through those links is what generates a small commission for this site. Fiend At Court participates in the Amazon Associates program and receives a paid commission on any purchases made via the links in this article. Details on the disposition of proceeds are available on the “About Fiend at Court” page.
Tennis Court Gear and Racquet Bag Accessories
Novelty vibration dampeners make perfect stocking stuffers, fun, cheap, and full of personality. Sadly, I prefer the ones that lean toward irrelevance if not outright questionable taste. If these are too trendy or classy for you, I would also note that turd emoji string dampeners are a thing. If you have something else specific in mind, chances are you will find the perfect dampener on Amazon.
Tennis players need a lot of overgrips. Some players replace their overgrips every single time they play. The tennis player in your life might have a brand preference, so it might be good to check on that and buy them their preferred brand. If not, Wilson is almost always a safe bet.
Combination Net Height Checker and Bottle Opener
All tennis players should carry a device to measure the height of the net. This model hooks to the top of the net and has a weighted chain that hangs down to the appropriate length. This is the most efficient form factor for making adjustments because it leaves both hands available for adjusting the center tape.
As a bonus, this particular model pulls double duty as a bottle opener. It is a handy thing to have in the bag. This would make a good gift in its own right.
Novelty Tennis Racket Spin Stickers
The ritual of the racquet spin occurs before every match. While “Up or Down” is the boring way to call it, these stickers provide humorous better options. It is a fun way to set the tone before the start of a match.
Have you ever hopped into the car with a tennis player and exclaimed that it smelled good in there? Me neither. Sneaker ball deodorizers need to be scattered throughout every player’s world.
Same song, second verse. If you know someone who needs an air freshener in their car, this makes for the perfect stocking stuffer.
I can explain this item in one word: ants. There is nothing like arriving on the court only to realize that someone spilled a sugary sports drink under the bench area, attracting every crawling insect in the zip code. A jumbo carabiner allows the racquet bag to be hung on the fence above all that mess. This is another clay court essential item.
A small training device great for developing footwork. If you can successfully use one of these… I hate you.
For tennis players who consume sports drinks or water out of manufacturer-sealed bottles, this is a useful item to hang on your racquet bag to assist in opening them. Essentially, it provides a padded assist with the grip. When playing a match, hands can be sweaty, which increases the risk of rupturing the skin when opening tightly sealed bottles.
Tennis Lifestyle Accessories
These balls can be used to build hand strength, improve grip endurance, and promote forearm recovery between matches. They are also a simple way to ease tension on busy tennis days and keep the hands loose when off the court.
Tennis ball-themed pens are perfect for those moments when you are writing out a check for a team captain or a tennis event that doesn’t take electronic payment. Please try not to exclaim “What year is this?!?!” as you do.
A pen holder is an unexpectedly useful stocking stuffer for a tennis player. It ensures a pen is always exactly where it should be when inspiration or analysis strikes. Simple, tidy, and surprisingly satisfying.
Will the novelty sock craze ever end? Not on my watch! A few years ago, in a fit of frustration in the office, I decided to exert total control over the one area of my life where I enjoyed full empowerment. I have worn obnoxious novelty dress socks to work ever since.
If ties are in your life as the world returns to the office, here is a way to send a subtle message about where you would rather be.
You need to get a little crafty on this one, but you can pull it off. (See what I did there?) Looping these tennis ball beads on a black nylon zipper pull, you can show the world your passion for tennis by adding a little bling to your clothing and racquet bag. Super cute!
I use stickers on the lid of my laptop computers to distinguish mine from my co-workers in the corporate environment, where our laptops all tend to be the same make and model. It is the computer geek cultural “flair.” If you are in an environment that also embraces stickers… these are the ones for tennis enthusiasts. If you want to really be cool this holiday season, drop a comment on this post that you want some FiendAtCourt stickers, and I will reach out privately for a mailing address and send some your way.
A distinctive luggage tag is great in a sea of similar black bags. Don’t be someone who can’t correctly identify their luggage on the carousel.
A tennis ball keychain is a perfect little stocking stuffer, practical and playful at the same time. It adds a pop of tennis flair to everyday life and makes keys easy to spot in even the most overstuffed bag.
What a great captain’s gift or other wine gifting occasion. I would also consider repurposing these for the cover of paper notebooks.
Barware is always good for tennis players.
A brand new set of wine charms for this season. This one contains a lot of variety.
Who doesn’t love a good bath bomb. Technically, I don’t think the can will fit into a stocking, but each one of these are individually wrapped so the set can be divided.
A tasteful demonstration of tennis enthusiasm.
Croc shoe charms add personality to off-court footwear, spark conversation, and let players show a little tennis flair without taking themselves too seriously.
Tennis Medical and Health Accessories
I have always discovered that I run out of bandages before anything else in my first aid kit and always wind up buying more.
Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets
Every player should carry a few tablets of pain reliever in their bag. I am always astonished to encounter a player who does not do so.
Shots of pickle juice will temporarily alleviate cramping. Players should always have pickle juice at hand during hot or trying conditions.
Every tennis player needs lip balm. When selecting lip balm for a tennis player, it is essential to ensure that it contains sunscreen. This banana boat is SPF 50 which is about as good as it gets.
Triple Antibiotic Ointment Singles
This is the quintessential treatment for court scrapes. If your tennis player ever hustles at all, eventually, they are going to need some antibiotic ointment and a bandage to treat that condition.
Anti-Chafe Shield and Blister Prevention Packets
Players generally don’t know they need this product until they suddenly do. Each packet provides protection against chafing, irritation, rubbing, and friction.
Hear me out on this one. Not only are these clippers good for addressing on-court manicure emergencies, they can also be used to clip racquet strings to prevent frame warping when the player breaks a string. I am convinced that all tennis players should have a set of nail clippers hanging off the side of their bag.
There is nothing worse than trying to locate and retrieve lip balm from the dark corners of your racquet bag during the changeover. With only 90 seconds allowed, you want everything you need to be close at hand. I use these neoprene sleeves to hook my lip balm to the outside of my bag.
Any tennis player who wears glasses or sunglasses… or has a phone… will eventually need a handy microfiber lens cloth. These pouches are perfect for attaching to the tennis bag.
Biofreeze is a fast-acting, deep-penetrating, long-lasting pain reliever. It is basically on-court instant muscle pain relief.
This is the treatment for people who like the heat. “Tiger Balm or Biofreeze” would work as a phrase on those novelty racquet butts.
As always, this year’s list reflects items that real tennis players will actually use, appreciate, and can realistically fit into an actual stocking. Whether you are shopping for a teammate, a family member, or yourself, I hope these ideas make the season a little easier and a little more fun. Happy gifting, and thank you for supporting Fiend at Court and the American Cancer Society during this year’s holiday fundraising season.
Remember that starting your shopping through those links generates a small commission for this site. Fiend At Court participates in the Amazon Associates program and receives a paid commission on any purchases made via the links in this article. Details on the disposition of proceeds are available on the “About Fiend at Court” page.
Please send me some FiendAtCourt tennis stickers. Thank you, Teresa! Prayers for you and hubby in your medical adventures.