J is for Jersey
Before you begin agonizing over selecting the right gift for that armchair quarterback on your list, know this: Sports fans are among the easiest people to shop for.
That's because a true fan would be overcome with guilt over discarding any gift emblazoned with the logo of his or her beloved team. Whether it's a Hawaii Warriors aloha shirt, San Francisco 49ers slippers or a knit cap featuring the old Philadelphia 76ers logo, a wearable item will probably see a lot of use, provided you know your die-hard fan's would-die-for team.
Of course, there's no better way to show support for one's top squad than by donning a jersey like those worn by our weekend heroes. Sports jerseys have long been a popular purchase, though this year in particular, the selections are plentiful and affordable.
The throwback craze, which reintroduced vintage apparel styles of bygone eras has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years and the fight for market share is fierce. That means a retro jersey that would have set consumers back more than $200 a year ago can be had for a fraction of that this year.
Locally, sports gear outlets like Champs Sports, Footaction and Foot Locker are offering holiday specials and buy-one-get-the-second -for-half-off deals, with most football and basketball jerseys falling within the $40 to $80 range. Jerseys for other sports are a bit harder to track down, though Soccer Locker on Kapahulu Avenue carries a fine selection of soccer and rugby jerseys, and Web sites like kitbag.com, worldrugbyshop. com and bigsportshop.com offer tremendous variety and fair prices. Some will even personalize jerseys.
Just remember to get the team right or you may never live it down.
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