The Christmas Wishlist for A Colorado Avalanche Fan

So it’s Christmas. Christmas during and NHL lockout can be a very unhappy time for an NHL fan. That hat you’ve always wanted, that book you have been dying to read, and that favorite player’s jersey you are dying to wear could very well never find its way under your tree come the morning of the 25^th. Why? Because you, and the people who care about you, have decided to boycott the NHL, including merchandise and tickets. Well if that sounds like you, then you are not the reason we have written this blog today.

This blog is for those of you fans who still want to make the Colorado Avalanche fans in your life happy with some NHL merchandise. So without further ado, we here at Avaholics Unanimous present to you the top 10 gift ideas for the Colorado Avalanche fan(s) in your life! (note: price ranges may not be the same in your area, do not include shipping cost or autographed memoribilia, and are subject to change erratically, unnecessarily, and arbitrarily.)   

10. Avalanche Puck: Either an official game puck, or just a puck with a great design on it. This is a very inexpensive way to tell the Avs fan in your life that you remembered his or her favorite team. Price Range: $2-10.

9. Mini sticks: For the child on your shopping list, or adult who refuses to grow up. C’mon guys, we’ve all played mini-sticks past 25, don’t lie to yourself. Mini sticks come blank, or with NHL team logos on them. Most sticks are still plastic but there are new composite sticks on the market. Look for these at a local hobby shop, online, or even in drug stores. Price range: $5-30

8. Hockey Cards: Not specific to the Avalanche but hey, if you get them enough hockey cards, we’re sure a Colorado player will come up. Hockey cards are a fun hobby and a great way to represent your love for the game. Price range: $1.50-50, dependent upon if you get single packs or hobby boxes.

7. A Colorado Avalanche Christmas Tree Ornament: Looking for something more sentimental? Something more festive and special? Well Colorado Avalanche Christmas tree ornaments are fun, reusable, festive, and unique. These can be found in local sports stores during the holiday season, online, and in your neighbour’s house if they already have one. Just kidding. Stealing would put you on Santa’s naughty list, and you might get a Red Wings puck in your stalking. Price range: $5-25.

6. Blood Feud: A book by Denver Post sports writer Adrian Dater. This book talks about the fierce Red Wings/Avs rivalry of the mid to late 90’s and is a must read for the veteran fan wanting to relive the brawls, or the new fan yearning for a piece of history. The book can be ordered at many bookstores, it can be found online, and it is also available in Kindle form. Technology eh? Gotta love it. Price range: $10-25.

5. An Avalanche hat: This year’s draft hat or one of the many featured online at the NHL store, or in hockey stores around the country, wherever you may be. An avalanche hat is a nice simple way of being able to constantly support the team, while looking mighty snazzy as you do so. Price range: $16-40

4. The picture plaque: Have you ever been walking through the mall and hot the kiosk where they have absolutely amazing pictures and paintings of NHL players in a beautiful frame? Pictures like this would light up any guy’s man cave, or any girl’s recreation room. Popular players featured in these works of art include Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy, Peter Forsberg, Ray Bourque, Alex Tanguay, and the list goes on. Price range: $50-800.

3. Hoody/Shirt/Shirsey: Less expensive than a jersey, and still a great way to sport the colors of your favorite team.  These can also be worn more in public. Price range: $10-150. (The really nice hoodies are expensive but worth it)

2. Game tickets: Ok, we realize there are no scheduled games yet, but you can always make this fun. Instead of physical tickets, write the fan an IOU for tickets when the NHL comes back to action. Hockey tickets are a staple gift around the holidays, and if you have a ton of money, an amazing stalking stuffer.  Price range: We’ll let you know when the games come back.

1. The jersey: Blank or customized, home or away, blueberry or vintage, a Colorado Avalanche jersey will put a huge smile of the face of any fan of the team. Jerseys can be found online at the NHL store, or in Colorado Avalanche team stores, as well as (if you do not live in Colorado) a wide array of sporting memorabilia stores throughout the United States and Canada. Price Range: $124-400.

Well there you have it folks. Our top ten gift ideas for the Colorado Avalanche fan in your life. Or of you are lonely around the holidays, you can buy this stuff for yourself. We hope to have given you some ideas or some reassurance as to what to get your hockey fans. And remember; try not to let a little fuss over the NHL lockout ruin the Christmas of the hockey fan on your shopping list. If you think we left anything out feel free to leave more ideas for the readers in the comment section below. And Happy Holidays.