The best pickleball Christmas gifts are a holiday sweatshirt they can wear to the indoor courts in December, a mug or towel for the stocking, and one practical thing for their bag. Below are ideas sorted by budget and by the kind of gift (under the tree, in the stocking, or for the club gift swap), with prices and a note on when to order so it arrives in time.
Christmas pickleball sweatshirts
A sweatshirt is the Christmas gift that gets worn the most, because December is when players are on cold outdoor courts or in drafty gyms. All three of ours are Gildan crewnecks, $42 in S to XL (larger sizes cost a little more).
- Merry Kitchmas Sweatshirt ($42): a Christmas tree stacked out of pickleballs, with a star on top. "Kitchen" plus "Christmas", for players who know what the kitchen is.
- Deck the Courts Sweatshirt ($42): a pickleball court strung with lights, with pickleballs hanging like ornaments over the kitchen.
- I Asked Santa for Court Time Sweatshirt ($42): a wrapped gift box over the words, for the player who only wants more time on the court.
Not Christmas themed, but good winter picks from the same shop: Officially a 3.0, Emotionally a 5.0 Sweatshirt, Tennis Was a Phase Sweatshirt, Grandma Owns the Kitchen Sweatshirt and Retired From Work, Not From the Kitchen Sweatshirt, all $42.
What about ugly Christmas sweaters?
Knit "ugly sweater" styles with pickleballs and paddles are sold on Etsy and Amazon. They are a good pick for a themed party. For something they will also wear to play, a printed crewneck is lighter and easier to wash.
Stocking stuffers under $20
- A Christmas pickleball mug ($19). Merry Kitchmas, Deck the Courts and I Asked Santa for Court Time are 11 oz mugs. Put a bag of coffee or hot chocolate inside.
- A pack of their usual balls (about $7 to $11 for a pack of 3 to 6). Balls wear out and crack, so players always need more. Check which brand their group uses, and whether they play indoor or outdoor.
- Overgrips (about $6 to $9 for a 3-pack). The thin wrap on the paddle handle wears out with use. Most players replace it often.
- A ball holder (about $15 to $25). Clips to a waistband so the player has a spare ball without a pocket.
- Pickleball socks (about $6 to $17). Cushioned court socks or socks with a pickleball pattern.
- A pickleball ornament (about $15 to $28). Paddle and ball ornaments are easy to find at gift shops and on Etsy. We do not make ornaments.
- A cooling towel (about $5 to $13). For players in warm places who play outdoors all winter.
Gift swap and Secret Santa picks ($20 to $30)
Most club and league gift swaps set a limit of $20 to $30. The safest swap gifts are ones with no size and a joke every player at the club will get.
- Score Calling Is My Cardio Mug ($19)
- Officially a 3.0, Emotionally a 5.0 Mug ($19)
- It Was Out Respectfully Towel ($28), 16 x 28 inches, sized for a court bag
- 44 x 20 Court Towel ($28), a plain court drawing with the court size
- Paddle Packed, Plans Cancelled Tote Bag ($28)
- Score Calling Is My Cardio T-Shirt ($27), if you know the person's size
Everything under $30 from our shop is in Pickleball Gifts Under $30.
Bigger Christmas gifts
- A paddle they picked (about $100 to $300). Only buy the exact model they named. Otherwise give a gift card to a pickleball shop.
- A court bag or backpack (about $30 to $150). Look for a paddle sleeve, a shoe pocket and a fence hook.
- Lessons or a clinic package. Group lessons are often $10 to $30 per person and private lessons $50 to $100 an hour, depending on where you live. Many clubs sell gift certificates.
- A club or indoor court membership. In cold places, indoor court time is the gift that keeps them playing all winter. Call the facility to ask about gift cards.
- A portable net (about $65 to $200). For a family that wants to play in a driveway or at a park without lines.
- A matching set for a couple. Two of our sweatshirts or tees in different designs, for example Merry Kitchmas and Deck the Courts.
Christmas gifts by person
- For a grandparent: Papa Calls the Score Hat ($32) or Grandma Owns the Kitchen Mug ($19). More in our grandparents gift guide.
- For mom: Mom Needs Court Time Mug ($19) or hat ($32).
- For a former tennis player: Tennis Was a Phase Sweatshirt ($42).
- For a new player: Toes Behind the Line Hat ($32), the kitchen rule every player hears in the first week.
- For him: picks for dad, a husband, a brother or a friend are in our guide to pickleball gifts for him.
- For a coach or club organizer: a gift card plus a mug, as a thank-you for running the sign-up sheet all year.
When to order for Christmas
Everything in our shop is made to order in the US. Production takes 2 to 5 business days, then shipping takes 3 to 4 business days, so the slowest case is 9 business days, or about two calendar weeks. Holiday mail is slower in late December. Order by the first week of December to be safe. All our holiday items are on the Pickleball Christmas Gifts page. Shipping is free in the US.
What not to buy
- A surprise paddle. Players are particular about weight, grip and shape. A wrong paddle sits in the closet.
- The wrong balls. Indoor and outdoor balls play differently, and groups often agree on one brand.
- Clothing in a guessed size. If in doubt, pick a mug, hat, towel or tote.
- Cheap paddle sets for a serious player. A $30 set is great for the family. A 4.0 player will not use it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good pickleball gift for a Christmas gift swap?
A mug or towel with a joke every player gets, in the $19 to $28 range. There is no size to guess and it works for any level.
When should I order pickleball Christmas gifts?
For our items, by the first week of December. Production is 2 to 5 business days and US shipping is 3 to 4 business days, and holiday mail adds delays.
What are good pickleball stocking stuffers?
Balls in the brand they use, overgrips, a ball holder, socks, an ornament or an 11 oz mug. Most cost $6 to $28.
Is a pickleball sweatshirt a good Christmas gift?
Yes, if you know their size. December is cold for outdoor play, and a crewneck gets worn to the courts and around the house. Measure a sweatshirt they already wear if you are not sure.
Can I ship the gift straight to the person?
Yes. Put their name and address in the shipping section at checkout.