10 Classic Hockey Gifts and Some Adventurous Alternatives to Put in Stockings This Christmas
Stocking stuffers can be particularly challenging to pick out. You want things they will appreciate and that are tailored toward them and their interests. It can be a bit difficult putting hockey gear directly in a stocking—but there are some smaller items that will be perfect for your resident hockey player or fan. And even if you may think tape and wax aren’t exactly the most “personalized” or creative options out there, we’ve got you covered there too.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a notorious gag gifter—I would have no qualms in gifting a custom Oilers jersey to a Flames fan, for example (and I definitely planned this scheme out for Secret Santa one year). The stocking stuffers in this list may not be so extreme, but for every classic option, there’s a more daring one to consider too. It could range from more striking colours to more specialized items. With that in mind, here are 10 classic gift ideas… and their more adventurous counterparts. No matter how you want to approach this holiday season, The Hockey Shop has an answer for you.
If you’re shopping for a goalie’s stocking, take a look at the Goalie Stocking Stuffer list too!
1. Classic Idea: Hockey Tape
For many hockey players, the feeling of using a brand new roll of tape can be a subtle freshness added to the pregame. We carry a variety of brands, including Howies and Lowry, among various colours and textures like black, white, and clear. This is a relatively safe gift option, but there is no doubt it will be used in its entirety, and hockey tape is pretty inexpensive.
Adventurous Alternative: Lizard Skins & Coloured Tape
Renfrew coloured hockey tape works the same as any regular roll—except that it comes in multiple patterns, from superheroes to NHL teams. Lizard Skins also come in different colours and designs and are much grippier than normal tape. They use a Durasoft Polymer (DSP) to dampen vibrations in the stick and are very comfortable to hold.
Other unique tape options include Blade Armour (SR & JR), Tacki-Mac, and Buttendz.
2. Classic Idea: Skate Laces
You never know when you’ll need a new pair of laces in a pinch. It’s rare relative to other emergencies or equipment breakdowns, but when it does occur, it’s often difficult to find a pair quick enough to make up for it. I know personally that older or well-loved skates can even start chipping through skate laces, and you likely won’t even realize the problem until they’ve cut through two perfectly good pairs. Giving and getting an extra pair of laces is always going to be a great investment. The Hockey Shop carries multiple sizes and colours, waxed and unwaxed.
Adventurous Alternative: Lace Bite Gel Pad
Lace bite is rare but can be paralyzing if allowed to develop. It occurs most often with stiffer skates, whether they be older or brand new and not broken in. It may not happen too often with more modern skates—but it does hurt a lot. A couple of lace bite gel pads, unlike lace bite itself, won’t hurt to add as a stocking stuffer. Beyond treating, they are ideal for prevention in general too.
3. Classic Idea: Hockey Skate Socks
Whether you are buying gifts for someone who prefers knee-high or ankle socks when playing, it’s safe to say the game is (usually) a lot more comfortable to play with socks meant to be worn in skates. And even if they prefer no socks at all, hey—sounds like decent gag gift material to me.
Socks are perfect in general for stockings because they are relatively light, small, and pliable, allowing for some extra space in the stocking for other things.
Adventurous Alternative: Patterned Socks and Underwear
The Hockey Shop carries underwear from brands like Stance Life, Major League, Gongshow, and Saxx, all of which can add some extra splashes of colour to the stockings you’re stuffing this Christmas. These underwear options may be designed more for everyday use, but they are still a lot of fun. They are comfy and colourful, and you can be rest assured the recipient will get some use out of them since they can be used comfortably outside of hockey. Stance Life, Gongshow, and Saxx have rather vivid patterns on them, and Major League features some pretty silly faces on their socks.
4. Classic Idea: NHL & Lifestyle Apparel
Every hockey fan will have at least a few favourite teams, and many players will have a specific brand they will often gravitate toward. Whether you are buying for a Canucks fan or a Bauer appreciator, we have some great apparel options in-store this holiday season that will all fit right in a stocking.
Adventurous Alternative: DSC Apparel
DSC shirts hold nothing back, and like all shirts, they are flexible enough to roll up and place into a stocking. If the person you’re shopping for is into graphic Ts (or maybe they lack a bit of a filter themselves), a DSC T-shirt will be a great option. And the more comical the theme and caption, the more memorable watching them unwrap it will be.
5. Classic Idea: Skate Guards
Skate guards, although not an accessory players would need on the ice, are crucial for keeping steel protected during transportation. The Hockey Shop carries both soft (Blue Sports, Howies, Lowry) and hard (Lowry, SuperGard) varieties. Soft guards can help dry skates, whereas hard will withstand more wear and tear and are generally more protective. Soft guards usually come with a spot to write your number on for more personalization.
Adventurous Alternative: RollerGuard Skate Guards
RollerGuard skate guards come in multiple colours and will let you roll in and out of the rink in style—without the added hassle of having to install wheels on your skates! They may be a bit tougher to fit in the stocking with the other large items, but whoever receives these in their gifts will no doubt greatly enjoy these wearable skate guards.
6. Classic Idea: NHL Hockey Cards
If you aren’t feeling like moving around that much but still want to enjoy a game of sorts, card games are a great way to still play games with family and friends. Cards aren’t exactly as hockey-related as hockey sticks, but these are still great for NHL fans, and especially collectors. Playing cards in general have always been a good option as stocking stuffers due to their rather compact size.
Adventurous Alternatives: Mini Hockey Sticks
TRUE AX9 Composite Mini Hockey Stick
I remember having a few of these as a kid, and let me tell you, the carpet hockey games never get old. They are tons of fun, especially for kids, and they will be perfect for adding that extra bit of excitement on Christmas Day. Mini sticks come in a variety of different styles, including NHL team and authentic composite brand sticks. Brand mini sticks also come in right and left hands and various curves. Currently, we have a couple of specialty mini hockey sticks on sale in-store.
7. Classic Idea: Stick Wax
With how the game is moving and developing, many players are viewing wax as a vital piece of their equipment. Stick wax keeps the blade tape protected and prevents ice and snow build-up. Even better, it’s relatively cheap and fits nicely inside stockings with plenty of room to spare. We carry many of the top brands at The Hockey Shop, including Howies, classic Ice Wax, and the fan-favourite Mr. Zog’s Original Sex Wax.
Adventurous Alternative: Sno-Seal Beeswax Leather Protection
The name can be a bit of a mouthful. This stuff is pretty heavy-duty, and in the hockey world, they are specific for goalies to protect their leather pads from drying out and from general wear and tear on the ice. It also helps with filling in empty space and sealing the ice. For non-goalies, Sno-Seal is still perfect for any leather boots, shoes, etc. that may need that extra protection from the elements.
8. Classic Idea: Floor Hockey/Training Ball
Floor hockey and training balls are amazing tools for any player looking to develop their stickhandling skills. Any training ball will work, including CCM, Bauer, and SmartHockey brands. The decision will be even easier to make if your recipient also plays floor hockey, and you can opt for a training or floor hockey puck if you think they would prefer those instead.
Adventurous Alternative: SKLZ Reaction Ball
Reaction balls aren’t meant to be used with hockey sticks, but they are still tons of fun for players and goalies alike. Reaction balls have a bit of a bizarre shape, causing them to bounce unpredictably when they hit the floor or a wall. Many high-level goalies use them in their free time and right before a game, but reaction balls can still be great fun for players on their off time or before a game too.
9. Classic Idea: Toques & Hats
Wintertime and ice rinks can get pretty chilly, and toques and hats are great remedies for the cold. The Hockey Shop carries a diverse collection of knit and pom toques, as well as snapback, flexfit, and adjustable hats, all of which will be small enough for a stocking.
Adventurous Alternative: NHL Forever Collectible Stuffed Animals
Hats and toques may not be the most practical option to keep warm when relaxing at home. That’s where these cuddly buddies come in. Whether your recipient likes to hold, squish, or just have them sitting as a decoration in the home, you bet they can keep them company while they watch the next NHL game. A Seated Jersey Bear, Fluffy Hedgehog, Shirted Sloth, and Flannel Moose are all available, and you can orient them to poke their little heads out of the stocking when Christmas Day arrives.
10. Classic Idea: Skate Stick/Honing Stone
Honing stones can be a little tough to use at first, but they are still a good accessory to have in a pinch when trying to get an edge back on the ice—literally. Honing stones and sharpening sticks are quite compact, making them great stocking stuffers.
Adventurous Alternative: Rubber Honing Stone
Rubber stones are a bit more specialized than regular nash ones. They are gentler and specifically made for higher-quality runners, like blacksteel, diamond-like coatings, and mirror-finished blades. You can still use them on standard-coated runners, giving them even more versatility.
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