The holiday season can be an overwhelming time of doubt and uncertainty. Fret not, fan-faithful, Fanatics.com has everything you need to make sure this year is a great one for the sports fan(s) in your life. We will be counting down the Top 10 Gifts for Sports Fans of the 2012 season. All of these items are available for your holiday purchase at Fanatics and Football Fanatics. The votes have been tallied and the results are in. The #1 Gift this year for the sports fan in your life: Nike Football Gloves.

Wear gloves, not pine tar

As long as there’s been sport in America, there have been people creating ways to play faster, better. From pig skins to cow hides; leather helmets to polycarbonate alloys. And where once a player may have thought to put peanut butter or pine tar on their hands, now we have the Nike Vapor Jet Gloves. Playing a quick game of sandlot football just got kicked up a notch when you’re racing down the dirt with these bad boys on your digits. Nike NFL Gloves turn any backyard scrimmage into a true sporting event.

Question: Why do I need gloves to play football? Answer: Do you KNOW how hard an NFL QB throws?

The average NFL QB can throw a football around 35-40 mph. Without gloves, you could easily jam your fingers or bruise them up something awful. Now, you may not hauling in bullets from Tom Brady anytime soon, but why not look like you are? Nike Football Gloves turn the act of catching a football into somewhat of an art form. With their bright, team-matched colors and interlocking designs, Nike Football Gloves don’t just protect your hands, they guard your sense of style.

The Science behind the spectacular

Nike Receiver Gloves were designed by some pretty smart people. Not only are they available in the logos and colors of every NFL team, but they’re built with some serious attention to detail. The palms of the gloves contain Magnigrip CL material to strengthen grip in all conditions. Mesh resides on the back for breathability, and a gusset system delivers a flexible range of motion for the fingers. Thermoplastic elastomers bond to the center of the gloves to increase durability and comfort. Oh, and, uh . . .they look really, really cool!

‘Throw your hands in the air . . .’

One of, if not the best, feature of the Vapor Jet Gloves is their design. An interlocking print on the gloves will create a team’s logo when one’s hands are put together. Think of it as the exclamation point on a touchdown catch. A way to silence the crowd after you’ve picked off the QB late in the game. You snatch the ball from the heavens, cross the plane of the goal, and throw your hands together, showing everyone the team you really play for (even if it’s only in your head). Nike Receiver Gloves—you’ll play on a different level altogether.

Last Blog Post – Best Gift Ideas for Sports Fans at Fanatics: #2 Sports Blankets.

College football is quickly approaching. No matter what team you root for on gameday, we recommend visiting these Top College Football Stadiums for the 2011 NCAA season! The following list takes into account scenic views, current stadium capacity, past lists of top stadiums, unique facts about each, and overall gameday atmosphere.

#20 Falcon Stadium, US Air Force Academy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Capacity: 46,692

Unique Facts:

• Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains is the gameday backdrop
• The mascot is a peregrine falcon named “Mach 1,” which means the speed of sound – the peregrine can fly at a speed of 200 miles per hour and dives over the heads of Air Force fans
• 2nd highest elevation in Division I-A football – over 6,620 feet above sea level

Shop Air Force Falcons Gear

#19 Folsom Field, University of Colorado

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Capacity: 53,613

Unique Facts: 

• Another high elevation – 3rd highest elevation in NCAA football – 5,360 feet above sea level
• Flatiron mountain range is the background setting
• A massive recycling effort in 2008 made it the first “zero-waste” stadium in the NCAA 

Shop Colorado Buffaloes Gear

#18 LaVell Edwards Stadium, Brigham Young University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Provo, Utah

Capacity: 63,725

Unique Facts:

• Mt. Timpanogos and Wasatch Mountain Range are the background views
• Part of the largest collection of North American fossils were stored under the bleachers until 2005 – now displayed in the university’s museum
• Previously known as Cougar Stadium, head coach LaVell Edwards retired in 2000 when the stadium was renamed 

Shop BYU Cougars Gear

#17 Ohio Stadium, Ohio State University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Capacity: 102,329

Unique Facts:

• 4th largest football stadium in the US
• No field lights are installed. Special lighting is used during night games
• The stadium is a concert venue to some of the biggest names in music like U2 and The Rolling Stones 

Shop Ohio State Buckeyes Gear

#16 Husky Stadium, University of Washington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Seattle, Washington

Capacity: 72,500

Unique Facts:

• Open side of the stadium looks out on Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains
• 70% of the seats are covered by metal roofs between the end zones
• Noise level has measured 135 decibels…loudest recorded ever 

Shop Washington Huskies Gear

#15 Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium “Death Valley”, Clemson University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Clemson, South Carolina

Capacity: 80,301

Unique Facts:

• 2nd largest stadium in the ACC
• Hosted concerts to popular music artists like Pink Floyd and Rage Against the Machine
• “Howard’s Rock” is a rock given to Frank Howard by a friend claiming to originally be from Death Valley, California. The rock was eventually placed in an encasement and the Clemson Army ROTC protects the rock 24 hours prior to the Clemson/SC game every year

Shop Clemson Tigers Gear

#14 Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn University

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Auburn, Alabama

Capacity: 87,451

Unique Facts:

• Stadium is named for the winningest coach in Auburn football, Ralph “Shug” Jordan, and Cliff Hare a member of the 1st football team and president of the Southern Conference
• 1st SEC school to install an HD video display and 2nd in the NCAA
• Known for great gameday atmospheres and one of the more intimidating places for any opponent

Shop Auburn Tigers Gear

#13 Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida State University

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Tallahassee, Florida

Capacity: 82,300

Unique Facts:

• Largest continuous structure made of brick in the US
• Field named for head coach Bobby Bowden and stadium named for former president at time of construction
• Bronze sculpture resembling Chief Osceola and Renegade, FSU’s mascots, stands 19′ tall outside stadium. At sunset before home games, the Marching Chiefs play as Osceola’s spear is lit on fire

Shop Florida State Seminoles Gear

#12 Camp Randall Stadium, University of Wisconsin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Capacity: 80,321

Unique Facts:

• Oldest college football stadium – first formed in 1895 and completed in 1917
• 5th largest stadium in the Big Ten Conference
• Built on the Camp Randall grounds, former training camp of the Union Army during the Civil War

Shop Wisconsin Badgers Gear

#11 Tiger Stadium, Louisiana State University

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Capacity: 92,542

Unique Facts:

• Home of the most intimidating mascot in college football, Mike The Tiger (a real tiger)
• One of the worst places for visiting teams because of the loudest atmosphere in stadium history
• New 27×80 HD Video Board

Shop LSU Tigers Gear

#10 Michigan Stadium “The Big House”, University of Michigan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Capacity: 109,901

Unique Facts:

• Largest stadium in the US and 3rd largest in the world
• First night football game in Michigan Stadium history will occur Sept 10, 2011, against Notre Dame
• Size of gameday crowds almost matches Ann Arbor’s population 

Shop Michigan Wolverines Gear

#9 Beaver Stadium, Penn State University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: University Park, Pennsylvania

Capacity: 107,282

Unique Facts:

• 2nd largest stadium in the US and 4th largest in the world
• The WhiteOut occurs when students wear all white during night games and the same for the WhiteHouse during day games
• First stadium to be included in Google Street View

Shop Penn State Nittany Lions Gear 

#8 Sanford Stadium, University of Georgia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Athens, Georgia

Capacity: 92,746

Unique Facts:

• Privet hedges surround the field for not only cosmetic reasons, but also crowd control – originally planted in 1929, removed and restored in 1996
• One of the best mascots, Uga, descends from the original white bulldog and has an air-conditioned doghouse with bags of ice inside
• Field has only been rushed one time in history in 2000 when the Bulldogs beat their rival, the Tennessee Vols, for the first time since 1988 – the goal posts were also torn down

Shop Georgia Bulldogs Gear

#7 Kyle Field, Texas A&M University

 

 

 

 

 

Location: College Station, Texas

Capacity: 83,002

Unique Facts:

• Kyle Field press box has won many honors with accomodations for hundreds of press members
• The entire press box sways during the Aggie War Hymn
• The Zone contains a sports museum, multiple seating levels, and a graveyard right outside for the Aggie mascot

Shop Texas A&M Aggies Gear

#6 Autzen Stadium, University of Oregon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Eugene, Oregon

Capacity: 54,000

Unique Facts:

• One of the loudest stadiums in college football with steep stands, seats close to the field, and a roof that overhangs
• Located near Willamette River and next to Alton Baker Park
• 74 consecutive sellouts dating back to 1999 

Shop Oregon Ducks Gear

#5 Memorial Stadium, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

Capacity: 81,067

Unique Facts:

• Continuous NCAA record of consecutive sellouts…now at 311
• ‘Huskers fans are some of the most loyal in college football and the stands are always filled with a “Sea of Red”
• The stadium name honors Nebraska natives who served during the Civil and Spanish-American Wars, as well as 751 who died in World War I

Shop Nebraska Cornhuskers Gear

#4 Bryant-Denny Stadium, University of Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Capacity: 101,821

Unique Facts:

• Originally named Denny Stadium after George Denny, former president – changed in 1975 to honor famous past head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant
• 2nd largest stadium in the SEC and 5th largest in the US
• In 2010, South End Zone expanded and the new seats sold out quickly prior to the 2010 season

Shop Alabama Crimson Tide Gear

#3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium “The Swamp”, University of Florida

 Location: Gainesville, Florida

Capacity: 88,548

Unique Facts:

• Can we say Home Field Advantage? The Swamp is below ground level with enclosed playing areas on every side, which makes humid climate temperatures exceed 100 degrees and screaming fans even louder
• Large bronze statues of the three Heisman Trophy winners placed outside the stadium in April 2011: Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow
• The Gator Chomp symbolizes an alligator’s mouth and fans use this as a gesture to support the team, occuring when the Pride of the Sunshine plays a two-note music sequence from the film Jaws

Shop Florida Gators Gear

#2 Notre Dame Stadium, University of Notre Dame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Notre Dame, Indiana

Capacity: 80,795

Unique Facts: 

• Known as “The House That Rockne Built”, Knute Rockne was a coach who popularized the forward pass and helped the stadium’s construction project get off the ground 
• The playing surface has always consisted of natural grass
• “Rudy”, a biographical film about Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger who dreamt of playing Notre Dame football, was the first movie shot on campus since “Knute Rockne, All American”
• First night game since 1991 will be held on October 22, 2011, against USC

Shop Notre Dame Fighting Irish

#1 Neyland Stadium, University of Tennessee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

Capacity: 102,455

Unique Facts:

• General Robert Neyland made the Vols a football powerhouse from 1926-1952
• One of 70 stadiums in the US bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup
• The largest SEC stadium, 3rd largest in the US and 6th largest in the world
• Unique endzone paint with an orange and white checkerboard
• Located on the Tennessee River, The Volunteer Navy tailgates (or sailgates) outside of Neyland each gameday
• “Rocky Top” is one of the most well-known, repetitively played songs during any college football game

Shop Tennessee Volunteers Gear

Strangely wonderful products always seem to leave one pondering, “What was that person thinking?” and possibly even, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Over the years, Fanatics has sold some of the weirdest, funniest and most innovative fan gear across all teams. Take a peek at ten fan favorites that will leave you wanting your own!

#1 Spirit Fingerz Gloves

Show everyone you’re the ultimate fan from your head to your fingertips!

#2 Light-Up Bouncy Ball

Light up your life with a team-spirited, entertaining bouncy ball!

#3 Nail Polish Kit

Reveal your fashion flare with a 2-Pack nail polish kit with mini decals!

#4 Windup Mascot Cup

Watch your mascot of choice spin round and round with this fun cup with twist lid and straw!

#5 Wine Tote

Check out this fully insulated tote. Perfect for transporting your wine/spirits!

#6 ARMagnet

Let everyone know how big your “guns” are with this car magnet!

#7 Extension Hair Clips

Amp up your fan spirit and hair with this color extension clip!

#8 Cake Decorating Kit

Reveal your baking skills and impress everyone with this team-themed decorating kit!

#9 Ball Toss Dog Toy

No matter what team your dog roots for, this is a great way to play with your four-legged fan!

#10 Hot Dog Brander

Sear your team’s logo on a hot dog and make it a tailgating favorite!

Make your friends and family green with envy and shop St. Patrick’s Day sports gear today! There’s no need for a four-leaf clover with the luck this merchandise brings your way. Look festive and feel lucky with $4.99 flat rate shipping, 365 day hassle free returns, industry leading customer service, and an unconditional satisfaction guarantee backed by a $10 promise. Show that feisty Leprechaun your golden team with the following Top 10 St Patrick’s Day Gear and Apparel.

#1 Look the Part with a St Patty’s Tee

#2 Feel Like a Lucky Pro with these Jerseys

#3 Cover Up That Noggin with St Patty’s Hats

#4 It’s All About Comfort with St Patty’s PJ Pants and Shorts

#5 Feel the Warmth with St Patty’s Outerwear

#6 Ladies Look Good in Green Too

#7 Feel Stylish with Long Sleeve St Patty’s Tees

#8 Check Out the Luck of the Beanie

#9 Hang Your Team High With St Patty’s Flags

#10 If Your Team Is Already Green…

There’s nothing more exciting than watching your team win a championship title! You may be anxiously awaiting a possible Super Bowl victory, gloating about being a Tiger, celebrating the World Series champs, or eagerly hoping the Blackhawks win a back-to-back Stanley Cup. Whatever sporting league you love, colors you bleed, or gameday chants you cheer, the one thing all fans have in common is the desire to “make it rain” and take home the ultimate trophy. Check out the following Top 5 Championship gear, apparel and fan favorites!

#1 Championship Tees

#2 Champ Hats

#3 Jackets and Hoodies

#4 Flags and Pennants

#5 Champion Collectibles

It’s that time again! Break out your favorite party attire, enjoy the fireworks, change out the calendar and take just a few minutes to plan out your resolutions. No matter how big or small, resolutions are a good start to planning out the new year. Reflect on your past, but stay focused on your future. Check out these Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for 2011 and have a wonderful and safe New Year’s!

#1 Devote Time to Your Hobbies

Enjoy more time with friends and family while getting a workout. Shop our sports gear today!

#2 Workout More

Lose weight, build muscle and dress to impress your gym mates.

#3 Save Those Pennies

If you save more, you have more. Plan a budget and take a little out of your check to put in a Saving’s Account.

#4 Show More Appreciation

Actions speak louder than words. Show your family some extra love and shop our gifts.

#5 Remember the Past

Focus on the future, but remember your past. Check out our memorabilia and commemorative items.

#6 Take Time to Relax

Veg out on your sofa in style with our selection of snuggies, blankets, and pillows.

#7 Socialize More

Even if you don’t have tickets to the game, meet up with friends, socialize and tailgate!

#8 Show Some Pet Love

We tend to take advantage of just how wonderful life is with a pet, so show your pet more appreciation.

#9 Drink Your H2O

Every doc will tell you just how important water is for your health, skin and overall well-being!

#10 Attend More Sporting Events

Quit shouting at the game on TV and splurge this year by attending more events.

The older I get, the more time seems to fly by in a flash. One minute I’m doing taxes, the next minute I’m enjoying a summer vacation, and at the present moment I’m planning Thanksgiving dinner and asking family what they want Santa to bring this year. Regardless of how fast the year goes by, the holiday season is one of my favorites. Spending time with loved ones, eating holiday meals, decorating Christmas trees, watching the seasons change, and most of all, enjoying the many festivities. Planning a holiday party makes you want to pull your hair out at times, but the end result should leave you feeling joyful and ready to begin a new year. Here are the top 10 party decorating ideas for sports fans to start your holiday off right.  And don’t forget, you’ll receive 3-Business Day, Flat Rate Shipping, 365-Day Hassle Free Return Policy, and Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee!  

#1 Holiday Wreath

Decorate your front door or inside wall with a fun Christmas themed wreath. 19″ in diameter and features a snowman and snowwoman with accents of snowflakes, pine cones and holiday berries.

#2 Wooden Nutcracker

Take a crack at spicing up your fireplace or bar area with this 14″ nutcracker. It not only adds a touch of flare to your home, it also has a lever on the back to help you enjoy holiday foods. Your team’s colors are represented on the painted outfit with a gold base label that says “Nutcracker” with your school name.

#3 Team Etched Decanter

Make sure your glass is always half-full! This 26oz. decanter is made of glass and features your team’s logo etched in detail.

#4 Christmas Tree Ornament

Choose from an assortment of Christmas tree ornaments to adorn your tree in style. Whether you need a sports themed ornament, snowman, or if you have a little fan in training, enjoy our collection of tree decorations.

#5 Santa Hat

Santa Clause will be ready to come down that chimney with loads of presents when he sees your festive hat. It features an embroidered team logo and name, mistletoe graphics and a fuzzy cuff to keep you warm all winter.

#6 Bottle Cork Set

Don’t let your beverage of choice spoil. Top it off with a cork set. These painted resin decals on a fixed cork body are sure to catch the party-goers attention.

#7 Party Tray

Choose from a large selection of party trays for any occasion. From ceramic chip and dip trays, to 5-section serving trays and dessert trays, we’ve got you covered.

#8 Ultimate Party Pack

Knock out your party purchases with this ultimate party pack: 24 7-in. plates, 24 9-in. plates, 25 beverage napkins, 25 dinner napkins, 24 plastic cups and 10 balloons.

#9 4-Pack Photo Coaster Set

Enjoy a photo display while eliminating the need to buy new furniture because of those pesky table rings. Check out this 4-Pack of photo coasters. Each coaster is made of glass and holds a 2″x2″ photo with a foam backing to prevent furniture damage. When they’re not in use, display the coasters vertically in a wooden stand. 

#10 Team Logo Gift Bag

If you’re in a giving mood this holiday season, grab these gift bags to present at your party. Your guests will be filled with surprise and leave in style.