It’s getting close to that time of the year, folks. Soon, the land will be blanketed in snow, as revelers parade the streets singing Christmas songs and drinking warm cocoa.
Or maybe not.
Who are we kidding? Hong Kong isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a winter wonderland, but you know what? We like it that way. No snow means more time for tennis. Besides, just because we don’t have “Christmas weather” that doesn’t mean we don’t have great Christmas deals! In fact, winter in Hong Kong is perfect for Christmas shopping (assuming you can handle the crowds, that is).
Without further delay, here are five great gift ideas that “Santa” can consider picking up for young tennis players in Hong Kong this year.
TENNIS RACQUETS & EQUIPMENT
This is an obvious one, but for good reason – you can’t play tennis without a racquet and some tennis balls. Whether you are looking for an elite racquet or something more affordable, winter is a great time to get a great deal on tennis gear.
NEW TENNIS CLOTHES & SHOES
Your favourite little Hong Kong tennis star might not be able to serve like Serena, but she can dress like her. There are always tons of great tennis clothes for kids available in the local malls.
Of course, some of this stuff can be pricey. Kids play tennis to learn fundamental skills, not to dress up like their idols. If you are going to pay up for something, we recommend going with expensive shoes – this can help improve court performance much more than a shirt, skirt or visor!
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
All dressed up with nowhere to go? Even kids with the latest tennis gear need a place to play, and in a city like Hong Kong, where space is at a premium, this often involves joining a tennis club. On top of court time, Hong Kong tennis clubs also provide coaching and a sense of community and buying or extending a membership can be a great gift for youngsters
TENNIS VIDEO GAMES
We would rather see kids out on the court, but video games are actually a productive rainy-day activity for tennis players. Gaming can help kids improve their hand-eye coordination and reflexes.
Tennis focused games are great, but really anything that relies on reflexes works. Just be sure to limit the amount of time your child plays video games and make sure they get physical exercise.
TABLE TENNIS
Similar to video games, table tennis can provide a great way to brush up on reflexes and other tennis skills while indoors. Even if you can afford the price tag, buying a table is often impractical due to space. Most people in Hong Kong live in apartments, and few can accommodate table tennis (though some may have it in a communal room). As with real tennis and other racquet sports, table tennis is often best played by joining a club.
HOLIDAY TENNIS CAMPS
What if you could keep your child occupied throughout the school holidays while also helping them learn about tennis from qualified pros?
You can, with ATA’s Christmas Camps. Starting December 17th, we are running a number of tennis camps for children of all ages and abilities. To register the tennis player on your Christmas list for one of these camps, click here.
