It’s the holiday season and, even if your favorite baseball team isn’t being as generous as you’d like, that doesn’t mean you should follow its example. If you’re looking for a Red Sox-themed gift for friends or loved ones, here are some favorites from the OTM staff.
A puzzle, a snuggy, and a creepy bobblehead
Since my Catherine Varitek debacle was resolved a couple of years ago, I have some real Red Sox gift recommendations for you all now!
For the puzzle and game lovers in your life, check out this “Where’s Waldo” spin off puzzle of a scene of Fenway Park during a Red Sox/Yankees game.
Or consider this Red Sox-themed baseball board game! I know my family needs this after we spent the entire week of Thanksgiving playing the same game (although I really do love Codenames, it can get a bit slow when playing with the same people over and over).
While it’s not very cold where I’m at in the country, I’m sure those of you in the Northeast could make good use of this during a January snowstorm. (For what it’s worth, I would also make good use of this no matter the temperature, but I’m not sure what the acceptable level is to pull out a blanket hoodie.)
And finally, if you have a family member who loves bobbleheads but you don’t particularly like said family member, why not get them this terrifying bobblehead that, for some reason, has a logo over its entire face and is apparently supposed to be an ambiguous representation of any Red Sox player?
It is truly terrifying from all angles. Which I’m assuming is the reason why a limited edition item that I believe was dropped over the summer is still in stock in the middle of December. I mean, why do the legs look like that? And why are the peaches so large?
Avery and I are on the same page this year! I thought I’d found a niche in championing a Red Sox puzzle, until I discovered her recommendation. Then I thought I’d go with my Plan B, which was An Old Bobblehead That Your Father Found in a Junk Pile and Offered to Send to You (but I’m out of luck again; Avery sort has that covered too!). Unlike Avery’s fright show, though, my dad claims that his is unopened and also…Tim Wakefield. Seeing is believing, and I will also need to be good, so no guarantees.
But I believe in my original idea so much; here it is anyway.
Do you know someone on the Injured List? Do you anticipate that you might get a cold, the flu, or Covid this winter? Do you think you might be housebound due to a snowstorm? A puzzle is physical-therapist approved (ask me how I know!). It can be done sitting or standing. There are a variety of levels of difficulty, options for space and size, and styles. In short, there’s something for everyone. If you’re stuck at home, your world can get really small—especially if you‘ve finished streaming all your shows. Transport yourself out of your illness or boredom. I just finished the one pictured here; it’s tough, with crazily shaped pieces, but satisfying. Highly recommend.
Go to RedSox.auctions.mlb.com and check out what they have on sale. I’m not sure exactly what a “publications mystery pack” includes, but I’d imagine it’s old game programs and the like. It allegedly comes with 8-12 publications, which seems like a decent deal for $15. They also sell plenty of autographed balls and other memorabilia. Earlier this winter, they had a chair from the grandstand on sale for about $300. If I weren’t renting and had a place to put a stadium chair, it would have been mine in an instant.
Disclaimer: I have no idea what the shipping time is like on these items, but I’d imagine they’re not getting delivered in time for Christmas.
A gift for that curmudgeonly fan
Alright, I’ll bite. Be warned, this is a HAUL.
I call this “The Ultimate Hater” pack. This is for your curmudgeon who wants to go camping out on Jersey St in front of the Red Sox front office ready to throw tomatoes at Craig Breslow, John Henry, or frankly just anyone who works for the organization for how obscenely quiet they’ve been this offseason and how unsuccessful they’ve been in their pursuit of high-end talent to build off of the success off the 2025 squad. Tomatoes not included, but if you want to make your grumpy friend comfortable in their pursuit of front office headhunting, you may as well start with keeping them warm, covered and ready for anything!
A Cameo from an ex player that confirms they know you exist
Have a spare couple hundred bucks laying around and want to trade it in for something more fun than big spins at Encore, and something that lasts maybe a bit longer than 45 seconds? You can have a “hey, thanks! and Happy Holidays!” from Big Papi, Manny, and a guy that stole second in a pivotal moment for the Red Sox’s history and definitely did not end up being a World Series-winning manager.
Don’t have all that much expendable income? It’s fine, you can still get some recent mainstays, or, for even less, the motley crew that sent those polar bears from Pawtucket to the retirement home. I’ve found from buying Cameos that, especially this time of year, folks (and, according to the search results, some Foulkes) are more willing to spread the cheer and make a message more personalized in exchange for making it worth (insert dollar sign here) their (insert dollar sign here) while (insert dollar sign here). Money isn’t guaranteed after a Major League career, so if you or a loved one really appreciated a player’s contributions to the team, now would be a good time to tell them and even get a message back in return!
– Dean Roussel
