Stocking Stuffers And Holiday Gifts From Bodybuilding.com

The holidays are right around the corner. Don't fret, Santa's here. So, what do you want this holiday season? Curtis wants a Hummer. Anita wants another pair of diamond earrings. I can ask Santa can't I? Of course I can. There are tons of websites that you can write Santa a letter and tell him your wish list.

Yeah, I know, what does this have to do with Bodybuilding, getting big or training? Well, nothing really. Plain and simple this about having FUN! So, let's have some fun this holiday season, instead of being rude and nasty. We have the rest of the year to do that.

For the most part, each holiday season is about the spirit of giving, being with family and friends, making merriment, going to all those holiday office parties, drinking eggnog, and of course, feasting on all those damn goodies. But what about presents? 'Tis the season to give, right? But, what do you give a loved one who's muscled? Be realistic now, what do you get someone who goes to the gym everyday, lifts heavy weight, owns stock in chicken farms, and poses all day?

Whether they're male or female bodybuilders, if they're like that, and most are, what do you get them for the holidays? A treadmill? If you can afford one, they're relatively expensive. And you better hope if that special one is a she, she doesn't take offense.

The first holiday Curtis and I where together, over a decade ago, Curtis had no idea what to get me; you see I'm one of those bodybuilders I just described. Of course I got diamond earrings. Even female bodybuilders want diamonds.

But, you always get diamonds for your woman, well, you better if you want to keep her around. Ok, what do you get her when she's a bodybuilder? Well, here are a few gift ideas that were special and innovative not to mention easy on the bank account, since the diamonds cleaned the account.

Cards

Can't afford even a card? Here is an inexpensive way to express your feelings but not in a card - in a coupon book. After getting all those diamonds Curtis had no money left for even a card. So, what is a person to do? This is what you do. What is your partner wishing for? I mean, what are the things they really want? A new car? To make the cover on Flex magazine?

Maybe that coveted IFBB Pro card? An expensive diamond necklace they saw in Glamour magazine? That elusive first place trophy at the Team Universe or USA? A trip to Venice, California, and the Mecca of Bodybuilding? A meeting with Arnold? Come on, I know you can think of more. Just ask.

So, what's stopping you from giving all that? Give them all they want and have fun doing it. How, you ask? Simple! All you need is a little imagination, some paper, a pair of scissors, tape, some colored markers or a pen, ribbon or a shoe string, and all those bodybuilding magazines that are just lying around the house. Spread the magazines all over the floor. Cut out the advertisement with that necklace.

Cut out a trophy. Cut around the names of shows, events, places - anything you can think of. Add a little sentiment to each picture. You can add more spice to the card by adding your own little inserts. Curtis did a drawing with Mickey and Mini driving in a hot rod with this caption, "Here's a coupon for one FREE ride with me to Disney."

I always wanted to meet Bev Francis. So, there was a coupon for one FREE workout with Bev Francis. Here are a couple more "coupon" ideas that will help. "One night alone, a candle lit dinner, two glasses and a bottle of wine," and, "FREE hugs whenever you need one."

Put them all together and tie it up with the shoestring or a nice ribbon from an old Christmas bow. Stuff it in their stocking. You can't buy this kind of stuff.

Pictures And More Pictures

Here is another inexpensive gift idea that will make a huge impression on the muscle-head that's in your life. When Curtis and I met I was just starting in on my journey through the bodybuilding ranks. Curtis took all those contest pictures that were collecting dust in the closet and made a framed picture collage. If you do have extra money then take your collage in to a professional framing place and have them mat and frame the collage.

Or you can do it yourself with an inexpensive frame from Wal-Mart or K-Mart. An 11x17-sized frame will do the trick and purchase black or white poster board for the background. Arrange the pictures in chronological order or mix them up.

Remember that magazine article or magazine picture we discussed earlier? Here is another framing idea that will make a great gift. You can add a little spice too, if they've been featured some way or another in a bodybuilding magazine like FLEX or Ironman or even a smaller publication or web site, then cut out their picture and add the magazine print to the collage.

If your muscle star was lucky enough to get in the magazines and receive some pub then clip them out and frame it for prosperity. Neatly clip that article and place it in a nice frame. Then they'll be on the wall for all to see when company comes to visit. Another great way to add something to the frame is to take their favorite 8x10 photo and the plate off of the contest trophy and place it at the bottom of the picture frame.

Or you can make your own nameplate. Engraving usually goes for around 20 cents a word. Put the person's name, contest name, date of the contest or when the photo was taken, and any other special expression you would like to add. Speaking of trophies collecting dust, here's a great way to keep those memories and the accomplishment all together in a less cluttered way.

First, you have to find a way to get those trophies away from them. When you accomplish this take the name plates off each trophy and place them within a picture frame or plaque - It looks great!

Now, isn't that a nice way to show your muscle star how much you care and how supportive you are by regarding their dedication in the sport of bodybuilding with all these framed gifts.

Business Cards And Stationary Ideas

Is your bodybuilder a personal trainer? Do they work promoting companies or modeling? Well, maybe they need a new set of business cards. If they don't have business cards then how about some picture business cards? Picture business cards are like small billboards making them the best way for your bodybuilder to promote and market themselves. Do they get a lot of fan mail?

Then how about some personalized stationary—a big box of their very own stationary to send their reply letters they get from all those fans to. A first class stationary idea is to take a picture, that same picture you had placed on the business card, and have it blurred in the background of the paper. So, when you look at the paper you can see their picture. Now that looks classy.

More Gift Ideas

Let's face it, stocking stuffers are often overlooked. No one really considers them until the big night rolls around and the panic sets in--frantic hands grab some candy here, snag a bar of fancy soap and (voila!) the stocking is stuffed. Now, we're not trying to say there is anything wrong with this tried-and-true method of stocking stuffing, but we do think that, with a little forethought, a few tremendous (and inexpensive) mini-gifts can forge their happy way into those velvet stockings.

Make sure that your family takes the golden opportunity to keep baking traditions alive by stuffing the gift of good cooking into everyone's stockings.

Cookies and candies and brownies, oh my! Wrap up little packages of the stocking owner's favorite treats in cellophane or plastic baggies. Choose treats that package up well and will keep for a few days.

Go the extra mile and attach recipe cards to each package--it will enable the recipients to make their favorites for themselves.

Get a jump on holiday shopping and eliminate the stress of searching for parking and waiting in long lines—try gift certificates!

Gift certificates are the perfect solution if you don't know what to get. Let them get it themselves. Almost every place has them, just ask.

Interested in some funny stuff for the muscle-head in your life? Check out the MUSCLEHEDZ store. Come on, you don't know what MUSCLEHEDZ are? You see them on a regular basis in FLEX magazine and many other bodybuilding publications.

They have Christmas greeting cards, T-shirts, long-sleeve T-shirts, baseball jerseys, posters, mugs, frosted mugs, coasters, clocks, mouse pads, and a few baby and toddler items. Go to www.cafeshops.com/musclehedz for all these stocking stuffers and more.

Do they need a new lifting belt? How about a brand new weight lifting belt? How about a customized and personalized weight lifting belt? Even better! You know you hate that old stinky piece of leather they keep tucked away in their gym bag.

Replace that old belt with a new weight belt from Cardillo. Cardillo weight lifting belts can also be custom embroidered and personalized with different colors, styles, and messages - anything you want go to www.cardillousa.com.

How about Shawn Ray's training manual? It's a great item for those interested in Shawn's approach to the iron game! "The Shawn Ray Way" available for $24.95 plus $5.00 postage and handling available on his web site: www.shawnray.net.

Everyone can use weight lifting wrist straps. They are a very important tool for any lifter. mportant, especially if you lift heavy as in, bodybuilding, powerlifting or strongman competitions etc. Visit APT'S ONLINE STORE for cotton and Poly/Nylon lifting strap selections at www.prowriststraps.com/store.

How about a FREE, Monster Muscle Magazine, Get your FREE copy of this OUTSTANDING powerlifting magazine with any purchase of APT's Pro Wrist Straps products. Select your FREE Monster Muscle by going to APT's Online STORE located at www.prowriststraps.com/store.

Bodybuilding.com also offers many types of wrist wraps, knee wraps, lifting straps and more! Click HERE to check them out. They are discounted right now for the Christmas season! For example, a new pair of lifting straps is only $4.95! Every bodybuilder needs them, and you can afford them.

House of Pain offers the following items for sale in their ONLINE CATALOG. Clothing items includes headgear, and many GREAT T-shirts. Men and women's weightlifting gym wear for bodybuilders. Many sizes are in stock for immediate delivery! I wear HOP gear all the time in the gym. It shows the attitude one should have when pumping cold steel.

Hardgear. Yes, Hardgear. Every muscle person needs muscle clothes to match that muscle body. Visit www.hardgear.com. Check them out and get your winter gym outfits now from them.

Tell Hard Gear president Derrick Hillyard you found out about HARDGEAR from us. Derrick can be reached at hillyard@hardgear.com.

Brent's Hardcore Training Video' is in stock and ready to be shipped to you for your new pair of legs. Order it today for only $39.00! Contact Brent: brent_mikesell@hotmail.com Or go to his web site and order this great tape online at www.brentmikesell.com.

Probably my favorite gifts to give someone who is involved in pumping iron would be the Westside Barbell Video Series. You do not have to be a competitive powerlifter to benefit from these tapes, not at all. Personal trainers, bodybuilders, general fitness enthusiasts, sport coaches, and athletes of all kinds will gain from the training secrets involved in these tapes.

If you are not afraid to be different, and want to become a standout in your gym, then go to www.elitefts.com and buy the tapes.

More From Bodybuilding.com

Check out the clothing, equipment and many other accessories currently available here at Bodybuilding.com. Check out their clothing and accessories. Every order over $75 gets a free Bodybuilding.com T-shirt (a very cool one)! Specify size in the comments section of the order form! You can also choose an awesome shaker bottle or water bottle instead.

These are just a few gift ideas for that special fitness competitor or bodybuilder in your life. Holidays are usually the time to kick back and reflect on last season's competitions and get ready for a new year's competitive schedule. So, remember, eat and be merry. You may not have another chance when the competitive juices get flowing again.