Holiday Gift Guide for Hoopers

It's that time of year again! If you've got a hooper in your life and don't know what to get them this holiday season - keep reading!

Regardless of your budget, we'll guide you to some of the most coveted hoop gifts that might just be their favorite thing under the tree!

Hoops

This sounds like a no brainer, but there are LOTS of options and it can be overwhelming to say the least.

Let's talk size.

We suggest grabbing their favorite hoop and measuring the diameter of the hoop (Lay the hoop flat on the ground and measure in a straight line across the center of the hoop). If you are unsure of the 'type' of tubing you need, you can learn more by reading this 'Picking the perfect hoop' blog post. If you're still lost, no worries. Causally ask, 'Hey, what is your favorite type of hula hoop?' Hoopers are usually quick to tell you all about their favorite plastic toy!

Day hoops/performance hoops:

A great gift for hoopers of all ages and skill levels.

We love supporting small business hoop shops like JamHoops - They've got an incredible selection of hoops to fit all your needs. They've got kids and beginner hoops, reflective and taped hoops, travel hoops and more! If your special hooper is an avid or aspiring performer, a set of these gorgous taped performance hoops would be a dream!

LED Hoops are guaranteed ti brighten up the holiday season!

For a high quality LED hoop from a trusted brand, look no further than Mood Hoops! You can snag pre-stocked and discounted one mode LED's for under a $100 and they have a variety of simple to mega customizable 'smart hoops' as well!

Speaking of Smart Hoops - you know those fancy face melting, pattern shifting, programable LED hoops, Astral Hoops is a long time favorite of ours! We wouldn't recommend them for children based on their price point; But if you're looking for a top of the line gift, you know you're going to get a high quality smart hoop with incredible customer service with this company. We've got years of experience using Astral and believe us, it's worth the price tag. Their hoops are bright, light weight, well balanced and reliable. If price is an issue, check out their pre-made stock, resale section and afterpay options.

Fire Hoops are a sure fire way to heat up the holidays! This should be reserved for experienced, adult hoopers only. Fire hoops can range from $100 to $200 on average and etsy is a great place to find them. Be sure to read reviews to ensure you're choosing a reputable shop with high quality materials, craftmanship and safety standards.

If you aren't ready to invest in a fire hoop, consider quick wicks instead. This are removeable wicks that can be added to most 3/4" and 5/8" poly pro hoops. Be sure to choose the correct size for a tight fit. Not sure which size you need? MoodHoops offers a universal option.

New fire spinners should familiarize themselves with all the proper safety protocol before lighting up. Check out our fire safety blog post with tons of helpful info for getting started! You could even gift them with an online fire safety certification course from the Flow Arts Institute!

Think outside the circle

If you want to mix it up, consider gifting a new flow prop. Hoopers, especaially those who dabble in double hoops, usually transition well into fans and poi! Single hoop skills translate nicely to LED whips and FlowStars. Or go wild and try something completely new like a levitation wand, juggling rings or a dragon staff. We'd be here well into the new year if we tried to list every flow prop we could think of, the list is growing every day thanks to creative minds like those at The Odd Prop Shop. Both JamHoops and Astral Hoops have a variety to well known and unique prop options choose from. A quick etsy search for 'flow arts' will yield a plethora of options!

Private Lessons

This is a great option for any hooper! Get personalized hoop with professional teachers and performers. Mad About Hoops offers private lessons via zoom and specializes in teaching kids and adults of all ages and skill levels. Many professional hoopers offer private lessons both in person and online. Consider reaching out to inquire about rates and availability of your hoopers' favorite hoopers!

Online Classes

Thanks to the pandemic, we're all practically experts at zoom these days. If you can do a work meeting in the comfort of your home - why not take a hoop class that way, too!?

Live zoom classes are a great option for hoopers looking to connect with other hoopers and get real-time feedback. We love Emma Kenna's weekly hoops class. She's a phenominal instructor an offers a variety of class options for a variety of skill levels at very affordable prices.

Pre-recorded classes are a great option for hoopers with a busy schedule or those who like to work at their own pace. Usually, these are a one time fee and you can instantly access the material and keep it forever. For kids, we recommend Hoops & Circus camp and for adults, check out 'The Hula Hoop Tricktionary' courses. We also love this dragon staff course from Grace Good!

Hoop events & Retreat

As much as we love our hoops, they don't last forever. The can break, get lost or tossed off a mountain top. (True story). You know what lasts a lifetime? Memories. Gift your special hooper with something to look forward to in the upcoming year.

What better than a LIVE hoop event to provide an experience of a lifetime and level up their flow. A few of our favorites are the 2 day Jamboree in April. If you are looking for an all inclusive sleep away retreat, check out the High Altitude Hoop Retreat which is like a luxery hula summer camp with a star studded instructor line up. Tadah Hoop Retreats in Turkey offer epic hoop events that are totally bucket list worthy!

For the High Tech Hooper

A useful electronic/tech gift option for hoopers is bluetooth headphones and bluetooth speakers. These are essential for the hooper on the go - and grab a tripod while you're at it! If you've got a hooper who loves to post videos, consider this incredible handheld drone video camera which can capture incredible flow videos without the need for a tripod or a camera person. These start at about $200 but you can find cheaper and more costly options, but remeber, you get what you pay for.

Gift Certificates

Lastly, if you're just not sure exactly what to get for your favorite Hooper, let them choose their own gift by offering them a gift certificate to their favorite company or vendor. Most vendors listed in this blog post offer gift certificates through their websites. If you are interested in a Mad About Hoops gift certificate, order one here. They are valid on hoop purchases, private lessons, online classes and more!

We hope you found this list helpful. This is in no way a complete list, this is just a few of our favorites. There are tons of other amazing companies and small businesses who could use your support this season. We suggest checking out etsy, but we recommend reading reviews on any shop before placing an order and double check holiday ship times to ensure your gift will arrive in time!