Go Miami Dolphins … or Go the Bulls! Whatever sports battle cry you hear from the fan in your life, you’ll know how attached they are to their teams. This is great news for getting holiday gifts because there are many themed ideas to choose from. The question now is how to find gifts that are different from last year’s gifts. Have you ever thought about gourmet popcorn? You’d be amazed how much you can say with popcorn. You also have many colors and flavors to choose from including caramel popcorn. Let’s see how to create a unique holiday gift with gourmet popcorn.
Think Like a Sports Fan
You need to understand what drives a sports fan to get the perfect gift with deeper meaning. That’s how you’re going to surprise and delight them.
- Belonging and connection
- Boosts self-esteem
- A sense of self
Belonging and connection
Being a sports fan isn’t just about enjoying a particular game. It’s a way to connect with others. Essentially, sports fans join a group that gives them a sense of belonging. This drives solidarity and loyalty which is why fans don’t abandon teams on a losing streak.
A sports fan enjoys being surrounded by like-minded people who can share stories and create memories around big games. All this creates feel-good emotions that support positive wellbeing, as confirmed by Daniel Wann, Professor of Psychology of Sports Fandom at Murray State University.
Boosts self-esteem
Being a sports fan gives meaning to life. You have something to do on the weekends that doesn’t involve TV bingeing. Of course, like anything in life, passion can be taken too far and lead to obsession. Nevertheless, having positive relationships through sport helps people believe in themselves more fully.
When sports fans watch a game, they tend to mirror the feelings of their players. This means that winning gives fans a huge boost in self-esteem. It’s almost as if they were playing on the field themselves. This means that a loss can have a hugely negative impact on someone. Although, that’s where the power of the group comes into it. Having a supportive community is one of the key traits to build resilience.
A sense of self
Sports fans identify with their teams so deeply that those teams become an extension of themselves. Again, this can go too far but assuming a balanced approach, this shared identity helps reduce feelings of loneliness.
Fans are proud of their teams and so are proud of supporting them and being part of their story. This can lead to close-mindedness as UK hooligans sadly demonstrated but generally, people are grounded. In fact, a big game is often a family day out and an opportunity to connect with the wider community.
How Gourmet Popcorn Supports your Sports Fan
You might now be wondering how gourmet popcorn links to how sports fans relate to their teams. There’s a lot more behind popcorn than just a simple corn kernel.
- Connections
- Memories
- You are what you eat
Connections
Of course, you can enjoy your gourmet popcorn alone. Isn’t it so much more fun with friends and family though? There’s something about sharing a tin of gourmet popcorn that brings people together.
It also provides a great source of conversation as everyone has a story around gourmet popcorn whether it’s the traditional butter flavor or the more decadent caramel popcorn. Either way, just as sports fans bond over a game so people connect over popcorn.
Memories
Gourmet popcorn was first sold in carts outside movie theaters around the 1930s. Even though we weren’t alive back then, everyone has a memory of when they first tried popcorn and which movie they saw. So, why not enjoy popcorn in front of a game? Most people also have a favorite flavor such as caramel popcorn. Alternatively, they prefer to go more whacky and mix salt with sugar.
You are what you eat
Every sports fan has their favorite game food. Although, why not bring in some caramel popcorn? It’s a great combination of healthy corn with some fun sweet flavors. It brings a welcome break from the more greasy options.
Top 10 Holiday Gifts for your Sports Fan
Luckily for you choosing holiday gifts, there are many options for a sports fan depending on what they prefer.
1- Branded sports popcorn tin
Gourmet popcorn tins come in all sizes and with various branding patterns and colors. You can get team logos and slogans on your tin. The best part is that you can do your own mix of flavors ranging from butter, salt, sweet, and of course, caramel popcorn. The sports fan in your life can enjoy the game with a unique snack and keep the tin afterwards as a souvenir.
2- Team holiday-themed paraphernalia
There are so many options for the sports fan in your life that include t-shirts, caps, posters, and stickers. You can even get children’s clothing and accessories such as pacifiers so that even babies can be part of the fan club.
3- Signed equipment
It’s always exciting to get a signed baseball or soccer boots. They’re also not as rare as you might think and could be a fun addition to your caramel popcorn gift. You’ll find memorabilia websites pretty easily.
4- Game tickets
It almost goes without saying that every sports fan loves getting tickets for that big game, with the perfect seats. Moreover, it shows that you care and pay attention to the upcoming games. They also then don’t have to feel guilty spending the extra money on the tickets.
5- Popcorn and snacks holder
Whether you get a box of goodies with your favorite caramel popcorn mix or an actual basket, there’s something about getting a surprise parcel. Get it delivered to the post and the sports fan in your life will enjoy unpacking each piece.
6- Ticket stub diary
Avid sports fans like to keep their tickets stubs. It’s a great way to remember some of the games and some stubs even grow in monetary value. Either way, you can get a branded diary or any other book for the sports fan in your life. They can even reminisce while enjoying their caramel popcorn.
7- Sandwich logo press
Watching the game is also about eating with friends. Regardless of the preferred snacks, sandwiches are also a fun treat, especially if the sandwich maker press has the team logo on it. Everything is just more special with the logo and it creates the right atmosphere full of anticipation and excitement. Let’s not forget that caramel popcorn also works well to sweeten your taste buds after eating sandwiches.
8- Historical prints
Sports wall art and vintage posters are also unique gifts. You might even be able to find some signed prints. Either way, it shows that you understand their passion and want to help them share it with the world.
9- Branded doormat
What better way to tell the world that you’re a sports fan than with your doormat? Just like teams become an extension of a fan’s identity so a doormat tells the world who you are. It also usually creates some laughs when people drop by.
10- Office accessories
We spent so much of our lives at work or sitting at a desk so why not check out some accessories? You can get anything from baseball helmet pen holders to wireless chargers and even specially designed ergonomic chairs.
What’s your Next Move - to Caramel Popcorn or not to Caramel Popcorn?
Getting the perfect holiday gift means finding something that your sports fan can connect with their passion. Gourmet popcorn has a way of connecting people just like a game can. Moreover, its crunchy goodness is unique such that people usually have a story to share about it. Again, all sports fans have a story about that game they remember.
Of course, you can always do a surprise mix of popcorn flavors, including caramel popcorn, along with any other gift. Ultimately, you’ll be awakening the senses and helping create more memories. The sports fan in your life will remember this holiday gift for a while yet.