Quick answer
The best small gifts under the tree for hockey players are things they will actually use: pucks, stickhandling balls, drill cones, a Game Changer iPuck, or a Better Hockey cap or beanie. Everything below is under €35, easy to wrap, and gone from training bags within a week — whether it goes in a stocking, a Saint Nicholas boot on 6 December or just under the tree. If you don't know the player's gear sizes, stick to consumables and training accessories — they are universal.
Key takeaways
- Under-€35 training items are used constantly — pucks get lost, balls wear out, cones are always needed.
- The Game Changer iPuck (€32.37) is the highest-value small gift: it adds a reaction-light challenge to any stickhandling session without any extra equipment.
- Heavy and light specialty pucks make excellent gifts for players who already train off-ice — they upgrade existing practice without needing more space.
- For a coach, a cone set or puck pack is genuinely useful and immediately used.
- A Better Hockey cap (€9.96) or cuff knit beanie (€12.45) covers anything you aren't sure about — no size to get wrong, and it still says "hockey" at first glance.
- Consumable training gear is the safest small-gift category: no size, no style risk, and players always need more.
Small gifts under €35: what's available and what it costs
Every item below ships flat or compact, wraps easily, and fits a stocking or a gift bag. Better Hockey is a Swedish brand: Swedish design, tested to the highest durability standards. Prices are live from betterhockey.eu.
| Item | Price | Best for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swedish Stickhandling Balls 12-Pack | €33.16 | All players age 8+ | Goes in the training bag; constant use, always needed (the 5-pack is €16.56) |
| Heavy Puck 5-Pack | €16.56 | Teen and adult players | Builds wrist and forearm strength; adds variety to any practice |
| Light Puck 10-Pack | €33.16 | Young players age 6–12 | Easier to handle; teaches speed and release; less shoulder stress |
| Hockey Puck 10-Pack | €24.86 | Any player, any coach | Standard pucks disappear — a fresh pack is always welcome |
| Drill Cones 3-Pack | €24.86 | Players and coaches | Sets up stickhandling patterns, shooting routes, and agility circuits |
| Shooting Targets (Made in Europe) | €33.16 | Any player with a net | Straps into the corners of any net and turns random shots into aimed ones |
| Game Changer iPuck | €32.37 | Teen and adult players with a training setup | Adds light-reaction training to any session; works with an existing Game Changer board |
| Game Changer Heavy iPuck | €32.37 | Advanced teen and adult players | Combines reaction training with resistance for a harder stickhandling workout |
Quick-picker: small gift by recipient
Not sure where to start? Match the recipient to the right tier.
| Recipient | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kid (age 6–10) | Light Puck 10-Pack or Stickhandling Balls 12-Pack | Right weight for small hands and developing technique; colourful and fun |
| Teen player (age 11–17) | Drill Cones or iPuck | Teens train independently — give them tools that upgrade solo sessions |
| Adult recreational player | Puck 10-Pack or Heavy Puck 5-Pack | Always running low on pucks; heavy pucks for off-ice work at home |
| Coach | Training Pucks 25-Pack (€41.46) or Drill Cones 3-Pack (buy two for a six-cone course) | Coaches burn through equipment fast; team-size quantity is the right scale |
| Not sure | Better Hockey cap (€9.96) or cuff knit beanie (€12.45) | No size to guess, no duplicate risk, and easy to pair with a puck pack |
Why small gifts land well with hockey players
Hockey players — especially players who train seriously — think in terms of their next session. A stickhandling ball that arrives on Christmas morning is used by New Year's Eve. A puck pack is gone by February. These aren't luxury items that gather dust; they are consumables that disappear into daily practice.
There's also a practical reason small training gifts work: most families have already bought the big equipment. The stick, the skates, the gear bag — those decisions are made. What's missing is always the small stuff. Cones. Extra pucks. Another set of handling balls. Small gifts under the tree fill exactly that gap. Better Hockey gear is used by many well-known NHL ambassadors, including Swedish pros, so a small gift from the same range is a real step toward how the pros train.
The Game Changer iPuck is the one item in this list that isn't a consumable — it's a training tool that adds a reaction-light challenge to any stickhandling surface. But it earns its place because it's self-contained, under €35, and immediately useful for any player who already practises off-ice. If the person you're shopping for has a Game Changer board (€365.16) or trains on flooring tiles (Made in Europe), an iPuck is the single best small-format upgrade you can give them.
Coach Erik's tip: The small gift I recommend most is a 12-pack of stickhandling balls. Not because it's fancy — because players lose them constantly, and a player who always has a ball within reach trains more. The cheapest gift on this list is often the one that adds the most training days per year.
What about puck quantity — is a 10-pack enough?
For individual players, a 10-pack lasts about a month of consistent off-ice shooting — 100 shots a day means picking up and reloading 10 pucks roughly 10 times per session, and some will disappear under the garden shed or into the snow. A 25-pack at €41.46 is technically just above the small-gift range, but it makes a better "big" gift for a serious player who shoots daily.
For a coach gifting pucks to their own bag or program, the 25-pack is the right scale. Individual families buying for one player: the 10-pack is the right fit.
Common mistakes
- Buying stick tape or grip wax. These are brand-specific preferences every player has strong opinions about. Stick to training equipment — it's brand-neutral.
- Getting a puck the player can't use. Heavy pucks are for off-ice training by teen and adult players. For a 7-year-old, get the light puck or a stickhandling ball.
- Ignoring the coach. Coaches are often overlooked at gift time, and they need team-sized quantities of pucks and cones constantly. A cone set or 25-pack of pucks is a genuinely appreciated gift.
- Going too big for a small-gift budget. If you're spending €35 or less, stay in this list. For €40–€200, see the full gift guide by budget.
- Waiting until late December. Shipping times matter. Order by early December so it arrives before the holidays, and check the delivery estimate for your country at checkout.
FAQ
What are the best small gifts for a hockey player under €20?
The Swedish Stickhandling Balls 5-Pack or the Heavy Puck 5-Pack (both €16.56) fit cleanly under €20, and so does a Better Hockey cap (€9.96) or cuff knit beanie (€12.45). The balls and pucks are used in every single practice and always welcome.
What should I get a hockey player if I don't know what they have?
Get consumables — pucks, stickhandling balls — or a Better Hockey cap or beanie. Pucks and balls are universal; every player needs more of both. A cap or beanie has no size to get wrong and no risk of duplicating something they already own.
Is the Game Changer iPuck a good gift for a kid?
It depends on whether they already train with a Game Changer board or similar stickhandling surface. If they do, the iPuck is an excellent upgrade. If they don't have any stickhandling setup, a stickhandling ball pack or cone set is more immediately usable and less equipment-dependent.
Are drill cones useful enough to give as a gift?
Yes — especially for a player who trains off-ice regularly. Cones set up stickhandling courses, shooting routes, and agility patterns. They're used in every serious off-ice session and are often the first thing coaches wish they had more of. The 3-pack at €24.86 is the right quantity for individual use; buy two when you want a full six-cone course.
Is a Better Hockey cap or beanie a good small gift?
Yes. A strap-back cap (€12.45), classic cap (€9.96) or cuff knit beanie (€12.45) is a clean solution when you're unsure of the player's exact needs, training level, or what they already own. It also pairs well with a puck pack or a pack of stickhandling balls for a gift that looks full under the tree.
What's the difference between the regular iPuck and the Heavy iPuck?
The standard iPuck adds a reaction-light system to stickhandling — you respond to which light flashes. The Heavy iPuck does the same but with a weighted puck for an additional strength component. Both are €32.37. Choose the regular for most players; the heavy version for teens and adults who specifically train for hand strength and power.
Summary
Pucks, stickhandling balls, drill cones, shooting targets and the Game Changer iPuck are all proven small gifts for hockey players — used constantly, welcomed universally, and priced under €35. Match the item to the recipient's age and training setup using the quick-picker table, and if in doubt, a Better Hockey cap or beanie covers any gap. For bigger budgets, see the hockey gift guide by budget or the full Christmas gift guide, and follow us @betterhockeysweden on YouTube and Instagram for new drills every week.
