2012 Holiday Gift Guide

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

For The Home

Cast aside the synthetic and Nerf footballs and step up for a game of catch with these handsome handmade items. Available in an array of styles, including genuine leather and suede, these footballs are sporty enough to fit in any Man Cave and classy enough to spruce up any office. $120-150 at leatherheadsports.com

For The Home

Never before have these unforgettable NFL moments been re-created in such a stylized way. From "The Helmet Catch" to "The Immaculate Reception," the guys at Prinstant Replays have it covered. Coming soon is a line of memorable NBA plays. We can't wait to see them. $20-$30 at prinstantreplays.com

For The Home

A train is a classic holiday gift that will never go out of style. Plus, this way Santa will be sure to which team you support while he places his presents around the Christmas tree. $75 at bradfordexchange.com

For The Home

In tune with the charitable spirit of the holidays, this practically indestructible soccer ball is sent to an impoverished child somewhere in the world when you purchase one for your own pick up game. It feels and weighs the same as a normal soccer ball, but has a social impact like no other ball you've ever owned. $40 at oneworldfutbol.com

For The Home

Most at-home exercise equipment falls flat after your willpower wanes. Not this bike, which replicates the peaks and valleys of cycling's annual spandex-fest -- as well as any road in the world mapped by Google -- thanks to integrated incline and decline motors that can handle 20 percent grades both ways. Better yet, the machine is iPad and flat-screen compatible, so just hook up a screen, fire up your favorite route, and watch along as the route progresses. $1,499 at proform.com

For The Home

It's been a long year -- for many of us, a tough one. And sometimes, a bottle of bubbly... Just isn't your style. But you made it, and you deserve a pour of something special, something that doesn't come around all that much. Well, you're in luck. Go slow -- Utopias packs a kick, albeit one wrapped in a heady, caramel boot. Others freeze their boozier brews, discarding some of the water content to jack up the proof. But this brew is bred strong- -- the super-yeast metabolize the sugars in a mash up to its carrying level of 29 percent alcohol, making it a one-of-a-kind pour perfect for the end of the year. $190 at samueladams.com

For The Home

Bourbon and Scotch both have their place. But the raw edge of a Rye drink wakes a man up, whether it comes neat, on the rocks, or mixed in with some bitters and vermouth. This year, we're quaffing Whistle Pig after big wins. The 100-proof nectar, distilled in Vermont from a 100 percent rye malt bill, is aged for a decade, and offers honey and heather notes that are complex, but can cut through even the best of BBQ plates. $69 at whistlepigwhiskey.com

For The Home

For all of the Kindle's charms, one thing that it can't match is the majesty of a beautifully photographed coffee table book. This limited edition book,18 Greatest Irish Golf Holes, will have every golf fan booking a trip to visit the Green Isle on a "business trip." 18 Greatest Scottish Golf Holes is also available. $199 at http://18greatestgolf.com/

For The Home

Whether it's for cooking chili or chicken, using a Crock-Pot has been a fixture of the holiday season. Now you can show off your NFL team while you do so. $60 at crock-pot.com

For The Man Cave

The pencil-thin iPad isn't exactly torture on the L-2 vertebrae. But this svelte cousin -- with all of the resolution of the iPad 2 -- shaves off ounces and inches that matter when you're packing your pockets for the game or that sales call to Boise. There's no better way to second-screen the action -- the MLB, NFL, and NBA apps are favorites. Keep up with our award winning writing and photography on the . SPORTS ILLUSTRATED magazine app. $329 at apple.com

For The Man Cave

Nintendo's newest gaming system will entertain all ages thanks to HD graphics and the innovative GamePad controller, which opens up a new level of interaction by combining a 6.2 inch LCD touchscreen with a gyroscope, accelerometer, camera and rumble support. Busy households will enjoy the ability to power up the main console and play games on the GamePad's screen when the TV isn't available. The Wii U is sold in two bundles: a basic white unit with 8 GB memory and the deluxe black with 32 GB memory, a charging dock for the GamePad and the Nintendo Land game. Both come with one GamePad, the console, a sensor bar, power cables and an HDMI cable. $299-$349 at nintendo.com Recommended games for the Wii: • NBA 2K13 • Madden NFL 13 • New Super Mario Bros. U • Mass Effect 3 • Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition

For The Man Cave

This is it: your dream TV. Five years ago a TV like this would be extraordinarily expensive, but nowadays they're down under $2000. With a sleek screen, this 65'' 3D Vizio set will be the centerpiece of your living room -- and the object of many visitors' jealousy -- for years to come. Just know that you'll be in charge of hosting the Super Bowl party this year. And probably the next year's, too. $1750 at vizio.com

For The Man Cave

This is no ordinary DVD box set. Packaged like a book, this 23-disc set contains over 45 hours of Super Bowl footage and bonus content. This collection is sure to satisfy any NFL fan and keep them occupied until Super Bowl XLVII rolls around. $250 at nflshop.com

For The Traveler

Amazon's latest offering raises the e-reader bar thanks to a higher resolution screen and a built-in light that facilitates reading in all conditions. The Paperwhite allows users to dial in the perfect reading experience by choosing from six fonts and eight font sizes, and with an eight-week battery life and built-in Wi-Fi, it's an ideal tool for consumers on the go. The Kindle Paperwhite comes in four flavors: with or without advertisements and with or without 3G. $119 to $199 at amazon.com Recommended sports book for the Kindle: • Dream Team: How Michael, Magic, Larry, Charles, and the Greatest Team of All Time Conquered the World and Changed the Game of Basketball Forever by Jack McCallum, $13.99 • Breakaway: From Behind the Iron Curtain to the NHL--The Untold Story of Hockey's Great Escapes by Tal Pinchevsky, $14.99 • Jewish Jocks: An Unorthodox Hall of Fame by Franklin Foer and Marc Tracy, $10.99 • One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard, $9.50 • When Saturday Mattered Most by Mark Beech, $12.99 • Sports Illustrated Great Football Writing by Sports Illustrated, $9.99  

For The Traveler

Know someone who wants -- no, needs -- to visit every MLB stadium in their lifetime? This map will help them keep track of his or her progress and could be the most memorable gift you give this year. $150 at exposuresonline.com

For The Traveler

Portable powerhouses like this one are ready-made for traveling and compact-car tailgating. Our move: stow this pill-shaped speaker in a shoe, and then pop it out when you arrive for above-average sound quality. The bass belies the device's slight dimensions, and the speaker also seamlessly navigates calls as a speakerphone -- making it a workable option for both music and small conference calls. It's a smart investment for any on-the-go audiophile. $199 at beatsbydre.com

For The Traveler

Most workout gear is bulky, heavy, hard to transport and difficult to assemble. This system comes bundled in a small mesh bag ready to set up at home or on the go, combining cardio, yoga and pilates for a full body workout. Need inspiration? Skip the DVD programs; the six instructional workouts created by TRX are accessible via the web. $200 at trxtraining.com

For The Traveler

Tired of waiting in line at the lifts when it's a powder day? This snow-slayer snaps apart, transforming into a pair of lightweight hiking skis. Slap skins on the bottom and you're climbing up the backcountry in minutes. Bonus: the edges have been tapered at the tail and tip to provide maximum floatation while riding the pow. $700 at burton.com

For The Traveler

Nice pens make for great gifts. Nice pens that come from the seats of baseball's most historic ballparks make for even better ones. Possibly no sport lends itself to history like baseball, and few gifts so seamlessly encapsulate it like this pen does. $150 at uncommongoods.com

For The Game

Pro sports teams have had some amazing logos over the years. The people at Mitchell & Ness have used just about all of them in creating one of the most diverse lines of vintage sports caps and apparel. These snapbacks manage to make even the San Antonio Spurs' logo from the 90s look cool. $26-32 at www.mitchellandness.com

For The Game

Sometimes enjoying a beverage at the game requires a little stealth and a willingness to abandon ship. With this set of three disposable flaks you can do both in style. $15 at restorationhardware.com

For The Game

Hot toddies and other heated pregame concoctions deserve a to-go cup worthy of your tailgate, which we're sure rules the lot. That's why we're not leaving home without this time-tested, road-worthy vessel. Whether you're packing the stiff stuff or just some chicory coffee, brewed cowboy style for after the game, it'll keep the heat where it belongs. Just ask the thousands of guys who've toted the same model to work sites, tailgates, and cross-country, sixteen-wheeler routes over the years. $38 at stanley-pmi.com

For The Game

Tailgate temps can fluctuate wildly, especially if you show up at 7 a.m. to score choice lot space. This soft-shell hoody can keep you warm all morning, thanks to its Coreloft insulation, but can then be stashed down into a stow sack once the sun crests over the stadium. It's perfect for braving the frozen tundra while navigating bratwursts, bloodies, and ferocious bags battles. $250 at arcteryx.com

Sponsored

Check out the latest and greatest home brewing technology from Keurig. $99-229 at keurig.com

For Her

Some of the most comfortable and best designed NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and NCAA shirts she'll ever wear. 47 Brand has plenty of men's style as well, so get one for you too. $38 at 47brand.com

For Her

There are countless varieties of Toms shoes out nowadays, but never before has there been a line of Toms that are so perfect for a sports fan. She'll be sure to love these Toms shoes that allow her to rep her alma mater, especially if she's got a hipster side to her. $48 at toms.com

For Her

Winter wear isn't known for being stylish, but this lightweight, water-resistant jacket pulls double duty combining fashion and function. The snow skirt will keep her bottom dry while conquering a mountain, and the detachable hood adds some flair for the apres scene. $280 at thenorthface.com