Finding an original sports gift is a sport in itself. The "Best Coach" mug? Seen it before. The funny Amazon t-shirt? It ends up at the bottom of a drawer. The Décathlon gift card? Practical, but not exactly memorable.
Whether for a surfer, a crossfitter, a rugby player, a yogi or a marathon runner, we've compiled 20 sports gift ideas that have character. Some come from us (let's not lie), others are just good ideas we wanted to share.
Sports posters: the decor gift no one buys for themselves
That's the principle of the perfect gift: something we love, that we wouldn't dare buy for ourselves, and that lasts. An illustrated sports poster ticks all three boxes. Unlike equipment that wears out, a decor poster is seen every day and reminds you why you get up at 6 a.m. to go running.
1. The Crossfit poster
For the bar and WOD addicts. Our Crossfit poster captures the intensity of the sport in a unique illustrated style. The kind of gift that finds its place in a garage gym, an office, or a living room without looking like a "weight room". The perfect crossfit gift for a birthday or Christmas.
2. Surf posters
Surfing is as much a sport as a way of life. Our surf posters capture this vibe: waves, sun, freedom. For the surfer who already has too many boardshorts but not enough decor on their walls. Available in several designs, from minimalist black and white to flamboyant tropical.
3. The Rugby poster
Rugby is passion, teamwork, and third halves. Our illustrated rugby poster is the rugby gift that you don't buy at the stadium but that has its place there. Ideal for a fan of the XV de France, a player from the local club, or a dad who passes on the passion for the oval ball to his children.
4. The Yoga "The Greeting" poster
For athletes who prefer flow to the clock. "The Greeting" is a soft and colorful poster that reminds you that sports are also about taking care of yourself. Perfect in a yoga corner, a bedroom, or a studio.
5. The Paddle poster
Half sport, half vacation. The Paddle Cocktail poster is a permanent summer memory on the wall. For athletes who like paddling as much as sipping a drink after the effort.
Personalized gifts for athletes: taking it up a notch
A personalized gift says "I thought of you, and not just anyone". For an athlete, it's often the gift that touches the most, because it recognizes the effort, the journey, the identity.
6. The personalized poster with a name
Our customizable posters allow you to add a name, a date, a message. For an athlete, imagine a poster with their name and their favorite sport, hand-illustrated. It's the kind of gift you keep for a lifetime.
7. The personalized birthday poster
To mark a sports milestone or just a birthday. The birthday poster with a name and age of your choice is the gift that celebrates the athlete AND the person.
8. The BFF poster for sports duos
Do you run together every Sunday? Are you WOD partners? The personalized BFF poster with both your names is the best friend gift sports version.
Gifts for every type of athlete
For the runner / marathon runner
9. A race bib holder or medal holder
Every race leaves a memory: a bib, a medal, a time. A wall-mounted race bib holder or medal holder allows you to display them proudly. The ultimate running gift for those who accumulate kilometers.
10. A running subscription (Strava, Coros, Garmin)
One year of Strava Summit or an advanced analysis license is the tech gift that the runner won't buy for themselves but will use every day.
11. An engraved insulated water bottle
A classic revisited. A water bottle with their name or their favorite distance (42.195 km, for example). Practical, durable, and more original than the 15th Décathlon water bottle.
For the surfer
12. A surf lesson or surf camp
Give an experience rather than an object. A voucher for a surf lesson, a weekend surf camp in Hossegor or Biarritz, is the surfer gift that creates memories (and muscle aches).
13. Artisanal wax or a custom leash
The little accessories that the surfer always buys at the last minute. French artisanal wax (Sex Wax, Greenfix) or a leash in the colors of the Basque flag always makes them happy.
For the crossfitter
14. Personalized leather hand wraps
A crossfitter's hands say a lot. Leather hand wraps with their initials are the crossfit gift that is both useful and personal.
15. An illustrated WOD notebook
To write down their PRs, their times, their feelings. A beautiful notebook (not a Google Sheet) gives another dimension to training tracking. Our illustrated notebook can do the trick for notes outside of training.
For the rugby player / rugbywoman
16. A retro leather ball
Not for playing (well, maybe), but for decor. A vintage leather rugby ball, placed on a shelf next to the rugby poster, creates a "club house" atmosphere at home.
17. A framed jersey from their team
The classic for a rugby fan. A Top 14 or XV de France jersey, properly framed, is the ultimate emotional rugby gift.
For the yogi / yogini
18. A natural cork yoga mat
Ecological, non-slip, beautiful. A cork mat replaces the basic foam mat and makes you want to practice more often. Place it right below the "The Greeting" poster.
For all athletes
19. A sports photo session
Offer a photo session in their sport (running, surfing, crossfit, dance) to have professional pictures of yourself in action. The kind of gift no one thinks of and everyone loves.
20. The poster + LPF postcard combo
Our advice: an illustrated sports poster + a postcard with a little note inside. Total budget: less than €35. The emotion/price ratio is unbeatable.
How to choose an original sports gift?
Think about their sport. A surfer doesn't want the same thing as a marathon runner. The best gift refers to THEIR practice, not "sports in general".
Think about what they see every day. An athlete spends hours training, but they spend even more hours at home. A decor poster that reminds them of their passion is a gift for the 23 hours they are not training.
Think personalized. The name, the date of a race, a message. Personalization transforms an object into a memory. It's the difference between a "nice" gift and an "unforgettable" gift.
Think made in France. At Les Petites Fesses, each poster is an original illustration by Marie Ollier, printed in France on 350 g art paper. It's a gift that has a story behind it, not a soulless industrial print.
FAQ
What gift to give to an athlete?
The best original sports gift is one that refers to their sport with a personal touch. An illustrated poster of their sport, a personalized accessory (engraved water bottle, leather hand wraps), or an experience (lesson, photo session). Avoid generic "sports" gifts that don't appeal to anyone in particular.
What budget for a sports gift?
Between €25 and €60 for an individual gift. Our illustrated sports posters start at €30 in A4, €39 in 30x40 cm (the most chosen format), and go up to €129 for the large 70x100 cm format with frame.
Where to find an original and affordable sports gift?
From independent creators rather than marketplaces. Les Petites Fesses offers sports posters illustrated by Marie Ollier, each design is unique and printed in France. From €30.
What gift to give to a surfer?
An illustrated surf poster to decorate their interior, a surf lesson or surf camp, artisanal wax, or a personalized accessory. The perfect surfer gift refers to their passion without being yet another piece of technical equipment.
What gift to give to a crossfitter?
A Crossfit poster for their garage gym or living room, personalized leather hand wraps, a WOD notebook, or a subscription to a training tracking tool. The crossfit gift that works best is the one that recognizes the effort and the passion.
