Cincinnati Reds
Buying a gift for a Reds fan is different than buying for other sports enthusiasts. They don’t take it lightly. That person you’re shopping for has watched more innings than they care to admit. They have opinions about the rotation that they will share whether you want to know or not. Spending time at Great American Ball Park is more about wins achieved and failures endured for them, it’s about what the place itself means to them. You’re not shopping for someone who kind of likes baseball, you’re shopping for someone who bleeds red.
That means the standards for an acceptable gift are different. The vast majority of generic sports merch out there is uninspired at best, and instantly forgotten as soon as the wrapping paper comes off. Putting a logo on something doesn’t magically make it giftable. We held each potential product to a high standard because we believe Reds fans deserve better, and frankly the person buying a gift for them does too.
We looked for products that celebrated what it actually means to be a Cincinnati Reds fan. Everything from the history that dates back to 1882 as the oldest professional franchise in the game, to the players that became legends in their own time. The pride that comes with being a part of a fanbase that has seen it all and still sticks together. Items that become a mainstay in someone’s house or daily wardrobe instead of garnering a polite smile before landing on a shelf.
We also considered occasions. Birthday gifts for the veteran Reds fan who has everything and is really hard to shop for. Father’s Day gifts for the dad who has made Reds games and those opening day tickets he’s attended for fifteen years in a row a part of his identity. Christmas gifts for the teen who is just getting into baseball and realizing what their whole family has been watching for years.
Each product in this collection we would buy for ourselves. If it was easily found elsewhere or looked good on camera does not mean it’s here. Each product made the cut because we would hand it to ourselves and walk away feeling confident. If you know a Reds fan you know they can tell the difference between a gift thats was given with care and one that was picked out quickly. We gave them our care.