Disclosure: This post contains TrailHeads affiliate links, which means if you place an order with TrailHeads using my link, I will receive a small commission for referring you. Your price remains the same. I also received a couple other products in this gift guide for review (Fitmark and Ever Bamboo). I chose to include them in this gift guide, because I was impressed with them! I’ve already purchased additional Ever Bamboo products for our household use.
As you know, I consider myself a sports mom. I spend a good portion of my time carting kids back and forth to practices. You can read all about my logistical challenges with the after school sports schedule if you’d like. I’m the sideline photographer mom, and I usually get appointed to team photographer as well. But I’m also into my own sports…I’m a runner, and have been for the past thirty years. I ski and I snowshoe. And I even hit the gym on occasion for my beloved boot camp (more in the winter than any other time of year though). So for this, I tried to put together a list of products I really love, and a few I I’d love to have, for my Sports Mom Gift Guide! You might find this list a bit unusual, but I sure had a good time putting it together!
TrailHeads Running in the cold is not always my favorite thing to do. Ok, it’s never my favorite thing to do. I have been known to take whole winters off running…I know, I’m not proud of it. This year though, I am planning on keeping up with it. TrailHeads makes great cold weather gear, and their products make up a large portion of my winter running apparel. I’m going to tell you up front that I have a consulting and affiliate relationship with TrailHeads, but when I first started using their products, I did not. I simply loved their products, and then I had the opportunity to meet the owners at a road race, and the rest is history. What the affiliate information means is that if you purchase from TrailHeads using my link, I will receive a small commission for referring you. Your price of course will stay the same!
My favorite go-to gloves for winter runs last year were their convertible fleece mittens. I was excited to have the opportunity recently to test their new version, the TrailHeads Power Stretch® Convertible Mittens, although to be honest I couldn’t imagine how they could improve my favorite cold weather running glove. But they managed to do just that! My favorite feature about these mittens is that you can wear them as a fingerless glove or as a mitten, depending on the weather. Not only is this great from the standpoint that if your hands are really cold, you can convert to a mitten, but you can go fingerless if you are texting….OR if you need your fingers free to take pictures! As it got chillier and chillier this fall, these are the gloves I wore to my kids’ soccer games because I was able to keep my hands warm and keep my fingers free to photograph the team. The biggest change with the new version besides the fabric, is the thumbs now have a thumb flap, with unique hidden magnets that secure the flaps when not in use. I love this new feature!
If you’re looking for a great present for a sports mom (or sports dad, for that matter), you should definitely check out TrailHeads. And they’re offering all of my fans a 20% discount site wide through the end of the year…use the code DAILY020. If you’re in the US and you order in the next day or so, you should get your gear by Christmas, but at this point it’s not guaranteed. If you head over to the TrailHeads website to check them out, you’ll also notice their Blaze Your Trail Pin It Contest going in through the end of the year…this is a great opportunity to win some cool TrailHeads gear!
TrailHeads is also very generously offering a giveaway to my fans as well for these wonderful convertible mittens! Although this giveaway doesn’t end until after Christmas, they’ll be a nice little treat for someone after the holiday!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Fitmark Bags If you saw my recent review on the Dashing Tote from Fitmark bags, you know how excited I am about my great new bag! I’m not going to re-write my review but feel free to click over and read it. These are the perfect bag for any sports mom (or again, sports dad) on the go! Featuring a great organization system in every bag and stylish as well, Fitmark has you covered! There are a variety of styles and colors…definitely something for everyone. I know at least a few of my friends are hoping to see one of these bags under the Christmas tree, but Fitmark also has a 30 Bags in 30 Days Giveaway going on! You can never have too many bags, right?! Pro Compression Socks Now here’s something I’d like to find under the tree! But just in case, I actually went ahead and bought myself a pair (and my husband too…his are going under the tree!). I know I should have waited but I took advantage of a discount code I found! I have been wanting to try compression socks forever! They’re supposed to increase blood flow, and I am wondering if they also help those who are sitting at a desk all day. As far as running goes though, from what I understand, they help immensely with recovery. Everyone I know that has a pair loves them. Mile 22 bags Yes, I know this is another bag, but this is something completely different! Mile 22 Bags are these very cool bags that you can have made from your race day memorabilia! You can use race numbers, photos, t-shirts, maps…actually any flat item…and you can use multiple items on one bag if you want! They do sew a protective coating over your memorabilia so it’s completely protected. They have a variety of different options to choose from, including tote bags, duffels, messenger bags, and backpacks. It’s probably too late to get a bag made in time for the holidays, but you could get a gift certificate for your favorite athlete! Isn’t this a cool way to celebrate your accomplishments?! Ever Bamboo Shoe Deodorizer / Room Deodorizer and Dehumidifier How about some coal for your stocking? If your house has been overrun by stinky shoes and athletic gear like ours, the Ever Bamboo Shoe Deodorizer and Room Deodorizer and Dehumidifier might be a good stocking stuffer! Ever Bamboo is a bamboo coal. The company supplied me with a few samples of both of these products, and we put them right to work! I put the room deodorizers to the test in my boys’ rooms, and they did the trick within days! And the shoe deodorizers were perfect for the kids’ soccer cleats! The Ever Bamboo products are an all natural way to go about eliminating odors and dehumidifying your house. They can last up to a year…simply recharge in the sunlight every 30-60 days! They are also completely recyclable. You can actually just mix the spent charcoal granules in your soil. You can read more about the features and benefits of EverBamboo here. Unfortunately there is no place local to me that carries the Ever Bamboo line yet, but I already ordered more room deodorizers and a set of mini deodorizers online, which I plan to use for the kids’ sports bags. There were a few other products that I wanted to try, but I was not able to find them with the company I ordered from online, so that was a bit disappointing. But I got free shipping from The Grommet (which is a really cool company in itself) and my order confirmation said my order would be here in 2 days, so I guess I am good to go for the stockings! Of course after I ordered, I found out from Ever Bamboo that they just recently set up their own online shop. They have been kind enough to offer all of you 20% off any order over $20 and free shipping on any order over $35 through December 31st with the code dishofdailylife. And they also wanted me to offer you a giveaway as well. The winner will receive a variety of items: 1 room deodorizer, 1 shoe deodorizer, 1 mini deodorizer, and 1 closet deodorizer. a Rafflecopter giveaway
LG Washing Machine Now if you really want to know what would make this sports mom happy, it would be a new washing machine…specifically an LG Front Loading washing machine. Time is at a premium around this house, and any time saving device is welcome here! I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked late at night right before bed or the morning of a game to wash a practice jersey or a uniform that never made it into the regular wash rotation. LG has a 15 minute speed wash cycle! That would be a lifesaver for this sports mom! Plus they have TurboWash, which allows you to save 20 minutes on big loads. With 3 sports kids, and 2 sports parents, we generate a lot of laundry here. That kind of time savings per load really adds up!
What else do I like about the LG washing machine?
- Allergiene cycle…we have 7 animals…pet dander is definitely an issue around here…need I say more?
- True balance anti vibration system, which reduces noise…our washing machine is located in an upstairs bathroom/laundry room. I’d prefer that the noise not keep the kids (or us) up at night!
- 10 year manufacturer’s limited warranty…considering our last washer (brand shall go unnamed) died early this year after only being with us a few years, I’d love to have a good warranty! Luckily for us, we have an ancient washing machine in the basement that we’ve been using but we’re living on borrowed time with it as well. You might remember the smoking incident we had the other day. That washer has seen a good run though…I think we’ve had it for 15-20 years!
If I could wave a magic wand and have Santa bring me a much needed washing machine right now, I’d ask for the mega capacity version so we could wash our comforters in there too! One thing about having pets is there is more mess…meaning an occasion mouse “gift” or an unfortunate hairball. And of course that means a trip to the laundromat…and more time. A mom can dream, right?!
Theresa
Saturday 28th of December 2013
I LOVE the gloves! Great product!
Katie Date
Saturday 28th of December 2013
I love the gift guide. So many things I wish I received. Especially the gloves. I went for a run on Christmas Eve in -20 degree weather and could have used those!
Jennifer
Saturday 28th of December 2013
I would totally give these mittens to my mama. I know she would love them!
Chris Carter
Friday 20th of December 2013
Did I miss it? Did I miss getting those awesome mittens? Oh please let me steal them from Ashley!!! And where by chance is the giveaway for the washing machine??? I will do ANYTHING for one!!! LOL
What an amazing variety of gifts for any sports mom!!
Michelle Nahom
Friday 20th of December 2013
I know Chris, I want that washing machine too! Wish I was giving one away, although I'd want to find a way to give it to ME! :)
Stephanie
Thursday 19th of December 2013
And...bamboo for hockey and football and soccer bags. UGH - those things are awful!
Michelle Nahom
Monday 23rd of December 2013
I know...I just bought the mini ones for their bags! The worst is when they take off their shoes in the car though!