No need to pull an all-nighter for Black Friday or endure the last-minute shopping mall crowds a few weeks from now. If you have a past or present Redbird on your shopping list, we’ve got you covered.
Welcome to STATEside‘s inaugural Holiday Shopping Guide. We reached out to the Illinois State University Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Alamo II, the Weibring Golf Club, and GoRedbirds.com for their help compiling a mix of best-selling gifts (starting at $9.95), all of which you can order online.
So forget the Red Ryder BB guns and iPad minis. In no particular order, here are the Top 10 holiday gifts for the Redbird in your life:
GOLF COURSE GIFT CERTIFICATE
Weibring Golf Club: $10 minimum
The gift certificate is good to use for golf, merchandise, breakfast or lunch at Illinois State’s 6,915 yard, par 71 golf course. And don’t forget: Students, faculty, staff, seniors and alumni already get discounted rates at Weibring.
REDBIRDS PULLOVER HOODIE
GoRedbirds.com: $54.95
The Redbirds Red Logo Arch Applique Midweight Pullover Hoodie features arched lettering over a team logo in high-quality twill and embroidered applique. Available in black, gunmetal and red. Pre-shrunk 100 percent cotton outer shell, and 80 percent cotton/20 percent polyester inner fleece lining. That’s a fancy way of saying it’s really comfortable.
LICENSE PLATE FRAME
Barnes and Noble: $19.98
This chrome “Redbirds” license plate frame is the perfect way to brag about your Illinois State pedigree. And, if someone happens to buy you a new car next Christmas, the plate frame is easier to pull off and move than a Redbird sticker decal.
E-ZEE QUARTER ZIP II PULLOVER CREW
Alamo II: $54.95
This slick Jansport pullover comes in red and black, sporting the word “Alumni” right on the front. It’s 55 percent cotton, 45 percent polyester fleece — again, that’s code for “comfy.” And it’s one of the cooler looks in the pullover world.
YULETIDE GLASS CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
Alamo II: $14.95
This affordable glass ornament from Spirit Products Ltd., featuring Illinois State’s logo, comes in white or red. A neat stocking-stuffer that can be your loved one’s first ornament on their 2013 Christmas tree.
TRAVEL TUMBLER
Alamo II: $14.95
This 16-ounce travel mug from Sutter’s Mill is constructed of double-walled stainless steel, has a thermos style safety lid, and a non-slip bottom. Comes in red, pink and silver. And Alamo II has a great collection of drinkware beyond these mugs.
“FEAR THE BIRD” SHIRT
Barnes and Noble: $9.99
Show your school spirit with the 6th annual “Fear the Bird” 100 percent cotton T-shirt, with a screen-printed Illinois State University logo. This is a shirt you see all over the Quad (when it’s not winter) and at early-season football games at Hancock Stadium.
ILLINOIS STATE “NOODIE”
Barnes and Noble: Starting at $37.48
They call this a “noodie.” What’s a “noodie,” you ask? It’s a hoodie without the hood, aka a crewneck sweatshirt. Another popular alternative to hooded sweatshirts is a quarter zip sweatshirt, like the one from Alamo II above.
WOMEN’S GOLF SHIRT
Weibring Golf Club: $50
This Nike contrast collar polo comes with the Illinois State Redbirds logo, in either black or white. FYI: A full selection of Redbird merchandise is available in Weibring’s fully stocked pro shop and through its online store.
REDBIRDS ARCH T-SHIRT
GoRedbirds.com: $26.95
State your Redbird pride in this classic lightweight, ribbed long-sleeved T-shirt, featuring a printed Illinois State name on the chest, along with a Nike “swoosh.” It’s 100 percent pre-shrunk cotton and comes with a tagless collar.
Find more Illinois State merchandise on our Gear Up board on Pinterest.
Ryan Denham can be reached at rmdenha@ilstu.edu.
