Soccer Lovers' Best Ever Holiday Gift Guide on SoccerNationNews Soccer News

Special Holiday 2011 Guide for Soccer Lovers: Best Christmas Gifts Ever

Looking for last minute gifts for your favorite soccer player or soccer fan? Here are our top gift-giving ideas...all tested and approved by real soccer players!

I've put together a list of the best holiday gifts for your favorite soccer enthusiast ... guaranteed to make this a very merry season! Let us know your feedback and tell us your ideas for the best gifts ever! What do you want for Christmas?

#1 on the Soccer Lovers' Holiday Gift Giving List: FIFA 12

FIFA 12 is the highest-rated sports videogame

FIFA 12 scored big when the game first launched earlier this fall. With unprecedented opening sales and record online play, this game from EA is more than a video game. FIFA 12 offers real action scenarios and helps develop a great understanding of soccer. Even listening to your favorite soccer player play FIFA 12, parents can learn the names and positions of the world's best soccer pros. Hard to admit as an old fashioned-mother, but players really learn from playing this video game. The game places equal importance on positioning, intercepting passes and tackling at the right moment. Tactics and timing are crucial. Loved by players and coaches alike, this game is the ultimate holiday gift for every favorite soccer buff.

SoccerNation Gift Giving Guide FIFA 12

So you might have an earlier version...why upgrade? FIFA 12's graphics are amazing. Two years in development, the new physics engine is built to deliver real-world physicality in every interaction on the pitch. Experience an infinite variety of natural and believable outcomes in every contact. Players feel more resilient on the ball, push and pull during the fight for possession, and recover from light challenges more easily, preserving their natural momentum. Players of all ages (seriously) are totally immersed and at a quick glance, it looks like a real game on tv. The FIFA 12 has over 500 officially licensed clubs and the more than 15,000 players are all wearing this year's uniforms. For the first time ever, two broadcast teams will be featured for constant, yet optional commentary: Martin Tyler and Alan Smith, and Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend. Other new features include: Build your Ultimate Team from the best football stars by earning, buying, selling and trading players.

According to my 10 year old son, Michael Scavuzzo, "When you score in FIFA 12, it feels realistic." His friend Chris Hegardt says, "When you pass the ball, and want to bend it like Beckham, you can."

FIFA 12 was the most successful launch in EA SPORTS history. Critical accolades rolled in for the highest-rated sports videogame of this console generation.

How popular is FIFA 12? Let's look at the numbers: FIFA 12 sold 3.2 million during the first 5 days after it launched. The awards are starting to come in from all over Europe and America. FIFA 12 has won Sports Game of The Year numerous times already. While FIFA 12 exists in the iPad, and my son loves it, the processing power of the iPad can't match the HD consoles which have more processing power. The graphics are immensely better on the xBox than the iPad. Fun Factoid: The USA is the second biggest territory in the world for sales of FIFA 11, behind only the UK. In North America, FIFA Soccer is now the third largest EA SPORTS videogame franchise, behind only Madden and NCAA Football. For the latest news on FIFA Soccer 12 join more than six million fans in the EA SPORTS FIFA community on Facebook

#2 on the Soccer Lovers' Holiday Gift Giving List: BEATS STUDIO COLORS

High Definition Powered Isolation Headphones by BeatsTM by Dr. DreTM from Monster.

SoccerNation Best Gifts for Soccer Lovers

Ok, so what is so special about these extremely pricey headphones? The moment I put them on, I stopped asking this question and started rocking out to the music my son had playing on my iPhone. When I asked what made these headphones so special I was told that they are acoustically programmed for today's popular music. And, yes, they are tuned by the famous Dr. Dre.

Best soccer tid bit – Beats by Dr. Dre made custom headphones for the Real Madrid team, including Ronaldo, when they were here in town over the summer. Why not rock out like Ronaldo!

The flagship product in the popular line of BeatsTM by Dr. DreTM from Monster headphones is now available in new colors – Blue, Orange, Purple, Silver and Pink. The Beats Studio High Definition Powered Isolation Headphones (a mouthful) showcase precision-engineering, advanced speaker design, and powered noise cancellation to let you hear music the way the artist intended. The earphones are exceptionally comfortable, with plush ear cushions covered with ultra-soft breathable materials that are supposed to keep you cool, even during marathon listening. As a parent, I am not sure I am up for this marathon listening but I know my soccer player is.

The Beats Studio Headphones were previously available only in White, Black and Red.

Beats by Dr. Dre was launched in 2006, and Beats Electronics is the brainchild of legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Chairman of Interscope Geffen-A&M Records Jimmy Iovine, who set out to develop a new type of headphone with the capability to reproduce the full spectrum of sound that music artists and producers hear in professional recording studios. In January of 2008, Dre and Iovine announced a partnership with Monster to engineer “Beats by Dr. Dre,” the most advanced headphones ever developed.

#3 on the Soccer Lovers' Holiday Gift Giving List: iSport Immersion In-Ear Headphones

Rugged in-ear headphone for on-the-go sound in extreme conditions from Monster.

Revolutionary and really cool, these are more affordable alternatives to the rapper rocker Beats Studio headphones. iSport can be worn happily under swimming goggles or on the ski slopes. An ideal solution for real athletes on the field, soccer players, swimmers and snowboarders (and the soccer mom who wants to walk or jog comfortably) can wear these super flexible in-ear headphones. Pure audio adrenaline for your favorite soccer fan!

Whether you're running, biking, or boarding, iSport Immersion won't fall out and leave you behind. Sweatproof and 100% washable, these softly curved iSport headphones are specifically designed to match the shape of the ear and come with a floatable, waterproof carry case. The Control Talk feature has an in-line mic with controls for the iPhone and iPad.

#4 on the Soccer Lovers' Holiday Gift Giving List: Soccer Training with your Favorite Coach

Soccer players always want to play soccer and love training. Want your favorite soccer player to get better at the game he or she loves? Special training programs, camps, clinics and private sessions with favorite coaches are always great gifts providing lasting value. Ask your coach for a recommendation or email us for ideas!

#5 on the Soccer Lovers' Holiday Gift Giving List: Tickets to the see a Professional Soccer Game

The LA Galaxy celebrates winning the MLS Cup. Photo Credit ISIPhotos

Give the gift of supporting professional soccer and buy tickets to see the San Diego Sockers at the Del Mar Arena in the San Diego Fairgrounds or the Anaheim Bolts at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena. These PASL soccer teams offer great indoor soccer action in Southern California. The SD Sockers are the undefeated National Champs and the Bolts are the newest expansion team, setting new records for great action.

Another great option? MLS LA Galaxy or Chivas USA Season Tickets.

Editor's comment: Instead of steaks, chocolates or flowers, tickets to a soccer match make great business gifts and support the game we all love.

#6 on the Soccer Lovers' Holiday Gift Giving List: Favorite Pro Jersey

Look like the professional players and wear your favorite team colors! Replica Soccer Jerseys are the best way to show your pride at matches or while keeping it casual. Soccer Fanatic has a great selection of the latest in club and national replica soccer jerseys from top brands including Nike, adidas, Puma and more. Support your favorite teams and be a true fanatic with the official look worn by the players on the field.

Don't make the difficult choice between home and away replica soccer jerseys, give both!

Cleats, jackets and soccer balls are other great gift ideas to fit almost any budget.

#7+ on the Soccer Lovers' Holiday Gift Giving List: Great Soccer Books

Great books on soccer round out the top of our best gift giving guide.

Best Soccer Books Ever:

SoccerNation Holiday Gift Guide: Best Soccer Books Ever

The Complete Soccer Goalkeeper on Amazon