What to Put in a Pickleball Gift Basket: 25 Ideas and 4 Ready-Made Lists

October 27, 2026

40 Holes of Happiness Pickleball Tote Bag

A good pickleball gift basket has three parts: something they use every time they play (balls, overgrips, a towel), something personal (a mug, hat or shirt with a pickleball joke), and something for after the game (snacks, a drink, sunscreen). Put it all in a tote or court bag instead of a basket, so the container is part of the gift. Below are 25 things to put inside, four ready-made lists at different budgets, and what to leave out.

The short version: a basket for most players

A tote bag as the "basket", such as our Paddle Packed, Plans Cancelled Tote ($28)
A 3-pack of outdoor balls in the brand their group uses (about $7 to $10)
A 3-pack of overgrips (about $6 to $9)
A Score Calling Is My Cardio Towel ($28)
An 11 oz Officially a 3.0, Emotionally a 5.0 Mug ($19) with a bag of coffee inside
Electrolyte packets, a sunscreen stick and a few snack bars

That comes to about $90 to $95 plus the snacks, and every item gets used.

25 things to put in a pickleball gift basket

Things they use every time they play

Balls. Outdoor balls have smaller holes and are harder; indoor balls are softer with bigger holes. Ask what their group plays, or check the balls in their bag.
Overgrips. The thin wrap over the paddle handle. They wear out and most players replace them often.
A towel. Our 16 x 28 inch towels are $28: It Was Out Respectfully, Score Calling Is My Cardio, 44 x 20 Court and 40 Holes of Happiness.
A cooling towel for summer and warm-weather players.
A water bottle, insulated, that fits in a bag side pocket.
A ball clip or holder that clips to a waistband.
Edge guard tape to protect the paddle edge.
A paddle cover, if you know the shape of their paddle.
Court socks, cushioned.
A hat or visor. Our embroidered dad hats are $32 and one size with an adjustable strap, such as Toes Behind the Line or Self-Rated 4.0.

Personal and funny things

A mug with a pickleball joke ($19). Seven Feet of Patience, Score Calling Is My Cardio, Paddle Packed, Plans Cancelled.
A T-shirt ($27). Only if you know their size. Our tees are unisex, XS to 4XL.
A tote bag ($28) to hold the whole basket.
A pickleball ornament for a Christmas basket.
A card with a court date. Write in a time you will play with them, or that you booked a court.

After-game things

Electrolyte drink packets.
Protein or granola bars.
A sunscreen stick for face and ears.
Lip balm with SPF.
A jar of pickles. It is the obvious joke, and it fits the name of the sport.
Coffee or tea to go in the mug.
A muscle rub or a massage ball for sore legs.

Bigger extras

A gift card to a pickleball shop, toward a paddle they pick.
A lesson or clinic voucher from a local club.
A crewneck sweatshirt ($42), such as Officially a 3.0, Emotionally a 5.0, for cool mornings.

Four ready-made basket lists

1. The small basket (about $35 to $45)

40 Holes of Happiness Mug ($19)
3-pack of balls (about $7 to $10)
A 3-pack of overgrips (about $6 to $9)
A bag of coffee or a few snack bars

Good for a coworker, a doubles partner, or a teacher who plays.

2. The beginner basket (about $110 to $140)

For someone who just started, who may only have a borrowed paddle.

A beginner paddle set with balls (about $40 to $60), if they do not own a paddle yet
Toes Behind the Line Hat ($32), the kitchen rule every new player hears in week one
Water bottle and electrolyte packets
A printed copy of the basic rules or a note with the time of local open play
Everything packed in a 40 Holes of Happiness Tote ($28)

3. The regular player basket (about $140 to $170)

A tote: Seven Feet of Patience ($28)
A towel: It Was Out Respectfully ($28)
A hat: Paddle Packed, Plans Cancelled ($32)
A dozen balls and overgrips in the brands they use (about $30 to $50)
Edge guard tape and a ball clip

4. The raffle or fundraiser basket (about $150 and up)

Club raffles and silent auctions need a basket that works for any player. Skip clothing sizes and use one-size items.

A court bag or backpack as the container
Two mugs, for example Score Calling Is My Cardio and Officially a 3.0, Emotionally a 5.0 ($19 each)
A 44 x 20 Court Towel ($28)
A 44 x 20 Court Hat ($32)
A dozen balls and overgrips
A gift card from a local club or a lesson voucher

Baskets by person

For mom: Mom Needs Court Time Tote ($28) and mug ($19), plus sunscreen and a favorite snack.
For grandma: Grandma Owns the Kitchen Tote ($28) and mug ($19).
For grandpa: Papa Calls the Score Hat ($32), mug ($19), and a ball pickup tool.
For a retiree: Retired From Work, Not From the Kitchen Mug ($19) and a court bag for all the new free mornings.
For a birthday: Another Year Around the Post Mug ($19) filled with candy.

How to put it together

Use a bag, not a basket. A tote or court bag keeps getting used. A wicker basket goes in the closet.
Put the tallest item at the back (water bottle or tube of balls) and the mug or folded towel at the front.
Fill the gaps with crinkle paper or the towel itself.
Order our items first. They are printed to order: production takes 2 to 5 business days, then US shipping takes 3 to 4 business days. Shipping is free in the US.

What not to put in a pickleball gift basket

A paddle they did not choose. Regular players are picky about weight and grip.
Indoor balls for an outdoor player, or the reverse.
Clothing in a guessed size. Swap it for a hat, towel or mug.
Anything that melts if the basket might sit in a hot car.
Too much filler. Five good items beat fifteen small ones.

Frequently asked questions

What do you put in a pickleball gift basket?

Balls, overgrips, a towel, a water bottle, a mug or hat with a pickleball joke, and some snacks or electrolyte packets. Pack it in a tote bag so the container is part of the gift.

How much should a pickleball gift basket cost?

A small basket with a mug, balls and grips is about $35 to $45. A full basket with a tote, towel, hat and gear is about $140 to $170. Raffle baskets are often more.