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Best Christmas Gifts for Referees

Posted by Artur M. Wlazlo on 8th Oct 2021

A Christmas ornament and stockings

Finding the best gifts for referees can be tough. After all, different leagues have their own requirements, and sports officials have their own unique tastes and needs. Referee Store was founded by referees, so we can help! 

We’ve organized these gifts by sport for your convenience, but many of our products would work great for any sport, as long as you shop in the right category. For example, soccer and basketball officials both use whistles, but it’s important to buy whistles made specifically for each sport because they’ll have unique designs and tones. 

Make this Christmas the best one yet with these high-quality gifts for referees!

Soccer: Bags

Soccer referees often have to bring quite a bit of equipment to and from the game, so a referee bag would make a great present. Essential items like flags, cleats, whistles, cards, and uniforms can be difficult to carry. Naturally, a quality bag would make their lives so much easier. We carry large duffel bags, as well as cases for flags, uniforms, and other accessories. 

Besides just making it easier to carry their equipment, our durable bags prevent wear and tear so their gear will last longer. Plus, a referee bag really adds an extra level of professionalism to their look, helping them feel more confident for every game.

Football: Whistles and Lanyards

A football player running and a sports official blowing a whistle

Sometimes the best gifts for referees are backups of equipment they already own. Football referees can never have too many extra whistles and lanyards. You never know when you might lose or break one, so it’s nice to have at least one or two spares on hand and ready to go at a second’s notice. 

In addition to providing football officials with backup whistles, you might even help them discover a new favorite brand and/or model. We carry highly respected brands like Acme, Fox 40, and Molten so you can be sure you’re buying a winner. And of course, it feels great knowing they’ll think of you every time they make a call.

Basketball: Shoes

When it comes to basketball officials, sometimes the best gifts for referees are the practical ones. Running up and down the court for hours at a time can really take a toll on their footwear, not to mention their feet and ankles. A pair of quality referee shoes would make a wonderful gift — even if they already own a pair. Again, backup gear is important, and you never know when that old pair could see its last game.

The right referee shoes really make a game more enjoyable, too. Being a basketball official is hard work. They’re on their feet a lot, and referee shoes are specifically designed to enhance their comfort. It’s a gift that keeps on giving — better comfort and support means healthier feet in the long run.

Baseball: Jackets

A baseball umpire wearing a short-sleeve shirt

A nice jacket is a thoughtful idea as far as practical gifts for referees and baseball umpires go. There are cold days on the field and in the dugout, and baseball jackets just make sense. Umpires need to stay laser-focused on the game at all times, and chilly weather can be more than a little distracting. A quality jacket will keep them feeling comfortable and looking sharp.

Browse All of Our Quality Products

These items are a great starting point, but we’ve only scratched the surface. If you’re still not sure what to get the special sport’s official in your life, feel free to contact us for personalized recommendations. Shop the best deals on quality gifts for referees now to make this Christmas one to remember.

About the Author

Artur Wlazlo is the owner of The Referee Store alongside his brother Rafal Wlazlo. He and his brother both have a lifelong passion for soccer and other sports. Both brothers played multiple sports from the time they were children and began refereeing in their late teens. Artur’s officiating career spanned nearly two decades at both professional and amateur levels. Rafal continued his soccer refereeing at the national level in the United States. Artur later became an accomplished sportswriter and blogger, writing on topics impacting the refereeing community. Artur has been a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years now, focusing his legal practice on securities litigation and the financial industry. Together, their mission at The Referee Store is to provide a comprehensive selection of high-quality and competitively priced referee products.

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