Hooping.org

[Hooping.org columnist Lara Eastburn takes on holiday shopping for hoopers without the hoops.]

by Lara Eastburn

Are you that “creative” (read weirdo) hooper in the family that nobody knows how to shop for? What do you give to the hoop-lover you love? Relax and take a breath. Here’s the guide to gifting your renegade hooper just what they want this holiday season. Email and social network this article at will. It’s okay. Aunt Sophie doesn’t really want to knit you another hat. She wants to give you one of the Top Ten Things to Gift a Hooper (That Isn’t a Hoop) this season.

10. iTunes Gift Cards: It’s no secret that hoopers live and love on their music. Make it easier on your hooper by pouring iTunes cash into their stocking this year. Fits any budget and you can find them at many local supermarkets or pharmacies. You simply can’t go wrong here and if you can’t find a card near you you can get them online.

9. The Alesis Transactive Mobile: Speaking of music, bringing quality sound to an outdoor hooping session can seem an almost insurmountable challenge. Sure, you can tuck your iPod shuffle into your ponytail. But what we really, really want is a kick-butt uber-portable sound system. Our favorite is a Philo Hagen discovery, one he calls “the Rolls Royce of portable sound systems”. (I just ordered mine on Amazon for $191.74.) It’s got a built-in rechargeable battery that goes for 12 hours, a universal iPod dock, mi-in and RCA lines. And it’s on wheels, yo.

8. Vibram FiveFingers: Responsive, “like barefoot” footwear. A hooper’s spin can depend a lot on solid contact with the ground beneath our feet. In warmer weather, many of us prefer to skip the shoes for happily muddy toes. But when it gets colder or we have to hoop on potentially ouchy surfaces like asphalt, high-tech hard-core footwear is what we crave. There are a lot of options in this arena, but my personal time-proven faves are the original Vibram FiveFingers. I recommend trying them on to gauge the best fit for each pair of feet, so click on “Store Locator” for a gift certificate to a local retailer (from about $75). FiveFingers fit your foot like a glove, protect your feet, and don’t slow your flow.

7. Go Pro Video Camera: In the active online world of hooping, videos are a must for a lot of hoopers. Hooping videos are how we share our sick skills and ideas with friends and the virtual hooping world. The Go Pro Camera (from $199) is super versatile and can even attach to one’s hoop for the coolest in head-spinning, hoop-documenting. While you’re at it, print out and include a copy of Hooping.org’s Ten Easy Hooping Video Tips for inspiration.

6. Hoop-Themed Gear: We hoopers aren’t shy about sharing our love for our circles. And short of taking our hoops everywhere we go, hooping tees and stickers are the next best thing and they’re affordable ($4 to $25). There are numerous places online to score some hoop-themed gear and it doesn’t really matter where you find it. If it’s hoop-themed chances are we’re gonna like it.

5. The Hooping Life Schwag: The one-and-only film about the art and joys of hooping is nearing completion and gearing up for 2012 screenings across the globe. On a mission to tell the uplifting and empowering stories of eight hoopers who changed their lives in the circle, the indie film The Hooping Life is poised to be an inspiration to a worldwide audience. You can support the film while getting your hooper something they already want (from $4.95) by shopping The Hooping Life Store for stickers, posters, VJ DVDs, even Playing Cards featuring 54 action shots of well-known hoopers.

4. A Hoop Gathering: Every year, hoopers gather together at numerous hooping retreats to share our love for hooping. The experience of meeting, being, and dancing with those that share their experiences in the hoop can be encouraging, inspiring, and life-changing. For every one that makes it to a gathering, there are 10 more that wish they could. Get your hooping loved-one on their way to the most rewarding hoopjam they’ll attend all year with a registration, plane ticket, or a contribution towards either. It will be the greatest gift you ever helped them give themselves.

3. Hoop Gift Certificates: Now, maybe your hooper really does just want a new hoop. But all of the options can be dizzying and daunting to even the most experienced hooper. Odds are your mom doesn’t actually know what size you want your tubing to be, right? Support your favorite hooper’s art without having to know the details. Contact a local or online hoopmaker for a gift certificate so your hooper can figure out the right size and colors for themselves. You’ll be supporting small business and making your hooper’s dream come true.

2. Hooping Time and Support: Investing in one’s hooping practice can be daunting. We have to juggle as many responsibilities as anyone else, so carving out 30 minutes to do what we love is priceless. Demonstrate your support for your loved one’s habit by showing that you know how much their practice matters to them. Tell your hooper you’ve got dinner – or the kids, or the dishes, or the laundry, or the bills – tonight. Put a hoop in their hands, shove ‘em out the door, and let them thank you later. If it’s too cold outside and you want to create a space where they can hoop indoors you’re set for life.

1. You. Yeah, we secretly (or not so secretly) wish you’d hoop with us. Why not join your hooper for 15 minutes and share in the fun? What’s the worst that could happen? They’ll feel the love and you just might like the smile that creeps across your face. Even if hooping’s not your thing, you’ll get some quality time with a pretty fantastic human. And that, my friends, is without a doubt the reason for the season.

Neither the author nor hooping.org has received compensation for mention in this article from the companies or products listed herein. The above reflects the opinions of the columnist alone. But she thinks she’s nailed it. Just sayin’. Do you hoopers have other non-hoop gift suggestions for the circle-inclined? While completely self-promotional comments are likely to be deleted, we’d really love to know. Hoopy Holidays!

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Lara Eastburn has been dancing in meadows and singing with the moon while spinning in circles for eons at Superhooper.org. Beyond commenting here, you can also discuss this and other topics related to the Hooposophy for living in Hooping.org’s Hooposophy Group and Gorum. Lara is also the planting and gardening force behind discovering our hooping community roots at The Hooping Family Tree Project.

Related posts:

1. Slimming Down Holiday Gift Ideas
2. When Life Has Other Ideas
3. The Invisible Hooper
4. Hooper Trooper
5. What Kind of Hooper Are You?