Here are some of the coolest and craziest holiday gifts runners have received through the years.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Arthur Ashe

A few weeks ago I hosted a giveaway with some of the goodies from the SMM Holiday Gift Guide over at Running With Music. To enter, I asked people to share the best, worst or weirdest holiday gifts they’d ever received. Not only were the responses freaking phenomenal, but there were a ton of them, and I’m guessing it was because it was as fun, if not more so, to share these funny gift stories as it was to enter and win the contest itself. 

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After reading through all 200+ responses, I feel it only fair to share the best of the best in multiple categories. Because we are Six Minute Mile and focused on all things running and fitness, I didn’t want to go down the rabbit hole of all of the various holiday gifts that had nothing to do with those themes. 

However, one runner once received an ear of corn from one of her kindergarten students … I mean … how can I not mention that? That’s truly priceless! Because of that, I’ve thrown in a little bonus section at the bottom of some of the most bizarre gifts that have nothing to do with running just for laughs.

I want to start with my favorite answer of all of them. This one was from my friend and NYC marathon Achilles International teammate, CIndy Kuhn, who is a brain cancer survivor. In her own words:

“Being discharged from the hospital after my third brain tumor surgery. Spent the week leading up to Christmas 2021 in the ICU after the surgery, but I made it home in time to spend Christmas day with my kids and husband.”

If that doesn’t make you stop and pause and take a moment to be grateful for just about everything, I don’t know what will. 

Big thanks to everyone who contributed and made this one of the best giveaways from an interactive standpoint that I have hosted since I started the blog back in 2011. What I realize is that in this community we have wonderful stories to share, good, bad and funny, and most of us are excited to listen. 

Because it is this kind of community-building storytelling that connects us and ultimately brings us closer in this crazy run world of ours. So, perhaps I will take this concept and run with it in 2026. (Pun intended!) Opening up the floor for more sharing of various subjects simply because we can and, in my humble opinion, it’s worth it. 

As we close out this year, I feel it only fitting to focus on all things given and received from friends, family and loved ones — for you, for me, for all of us. Personally, as far as running goes, when I find a product I love, I want to share it with anyone who will listen. And in my dreams, I would be financially loaded, like Oprah, and could give one to all my Running With Music readers. “You get a Normatec!” and “You get a Normatec!” and so on. Damn, that would be fun! But alas, that is not the case. Worth noting, I do love my Normatec recovery boots and feel it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. 

Best Holiday Gifts: Meaning Most Awesome

• Anything running related!  – Have to agree with this one.  
• A girls weekend based around a bucket list race — Genius and so thoughtful.
• A fitness tracker — Worth noting this little gadget helped her get out and walk, which turned into jogging, then running. A full 10 years later and she is totally in love with the sport.
• Normatech Recovery Boots — Game changing IMHO
• Sprints sling running fanny pack with extra strap — Doesn’t fly up and down when running bc of extra strap. 
• Garmin Forerunner 265 — A new running watch is always appreciated.
• Fleece running skirt made by mom — Homemade items are the best and this one is so useful.
• A Noxgear light vest — I have this and love it!
• Noise canceling headphones — Same as above
• Shokz open-ear headphones — These are a fan favorite at SMM
• A trip to Switzerland, where running trails are amazing. — Ummmm. Yes, please!
• Running shoes — DUH!
• A 12-month subscription to local spa — This is next level.
• Headlamps for running in the dark — From her son who wanted to keep her safe. Love it!

Best Holiday Gifts: Meaning Worst 

• Open and expired food from the pantry — I’m all about snacks. But, really?
• A tube of partially used foot cream — What?
• A bathroom scale — Just … NO!
• A Pepto Bismol-colored sweatsuit — Need to see this one to confirm.

Best Holiday Gifts: Meaning the Weirdest

• A Neti pot — Very odd gift but incredibly useful, especially during winter
• 10 pack of Aquaphor moisturizing gloves — Have never heard of these and since purchased them for myself.
• Heart-shaped hot water bottle for running aches and pains — Odd, yes. But also pretty relevant.
• Wool socks for running. — Dry feet FTW!

Top 5 Non-Running Holiday Gifts

• A rooster. — Yes, a live, feathered fowl, wrapped up in a box. Kind of takes gift giving to the next level.  Weird & creative & wonderful….if you’re into farm life.
• A holiday-themed padded toilet seat.  — Again, odd.  But, comfortable?  I mean, I’d take it.
• A live hamster wrapped in a shoebox. — This would be a NO for me.  Straight to the boys next door.  I’d win coolest neighbor on the block.
• A bat house. For bats. —  Bats do need houses!
• Squirrel toys. For squirrels. In the yard. — Jury’s out on squirrels. Feel like they can probably entertain themselves.

The bottom line, life is a gift. Friends are a gift. Family is a gift. Our health is a gift. These are what matter most. Cheers to all of you as we turn the page to 2026. May we carry all of these amazing gifts with us as we create something new and wonderful. For me, family and friends aside, there is no gift better than running. But still, the gift of an ear of corn is pretty awesome!

RELATED: Come Run With Us: All-New Six Minute Mile Run Club Debuts!

About the Author

Boston-area editor-at-large Rebecca Trachsel is a mom, a competitive age-group marathoner, a high school cross country and track coach, and music lover with a coffee problem. She’s still chasing big goals and having a blast along the way.

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