Does the Raptors fan in your life already have, well, everything? We’re willing to bet they would love something from our Raptors Gift Guide this holiday season.
The only thing constant with the new normal is that it seems to change every day. But this holiday season should leave at least one tradition intact: Christmas Day basketball games.
These annual, marquee matchups always feature the biggest teams in the NBA, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic had Raptors on the docket for the first time in league history. With the NBA’s upcoming schedule still as-of-yet unreleased, we don’t know which teams will play on Christmas. What we do know for sure is that the league is coming back in time for the holidays, and for Raptors fans, that’s reason enough to celebrate.
To kick the new season off in style, here’s our Raptors Gift Guide. Whether you’re shopping for a loved one or just to treat yourself, there’s something for everyone here, from vintage threads and unique art to next-gen video games.
Half-good Nick Nurse / Descendents Shirt
Tapping the oft-forgotten market of jock punks, this shirt from Toronto artist Tristan Douglas takes Milo out of the iconic Descendents logo and swaps in the reigning Coach of the Year. Recently featured in more than a few fashion magazines, this regularly re-stocked shirt tends to sell out quickly, so act fast if you see one available.
On sale at the time of print for $17.50 CAD
Leeloodles Shirt
Drawn by artist Leeloo Monleon when she was just 7-years-old, this is the Raptors logo like you’ve never seen it before. Crafted with the kind of charm and care you can only get from a passionate child, Leeloo’s doodles (under the name Leeloodles) have only grown since her parents first printed up this shirt, and now features everything from anime art to woven blankets.
Get one for the whole family! T-shirts are available in sizes ranging from toddler to adult. $35-35 CAD
Nick Nurse Hat
What started as a curiosity early in his coaching tenure has become a surprisingly sought after piece of merchandise. While it may seem odd at first to wear a coach’s logo on your head, you’ve got to admire Nurse’s branding acumen. And what started as a bit of an inside joke with his Nike rap has been turned into a force of good: when you buy one from his website, you’re also supporting the Nick Nurse Foundation, which works to empower children and young adults to be the best versions of themselves.
Adjustable Snapback – One Size Fits Most. $50 CAD
Jack Armstrong Merch
With apologies to Chuck Swirsky, Jack Armstrong has earned his place as the best Raptors broadcaster of all time. And now, finally, you can wear his signature catchphrases — Brooklyn accent not included. While his shop features shirts and hats with such classics as “HELLOOOOO” and “Rack it up Danny G,” our pick has to be the “Get That Garbage Outta Here” shirt in St. Paddy’s green.
Available in adult sizes XS-3XL. $20 CAD
Raptors Face Covering
We’re all doing our part to keep ourselves and others safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in most cases, that starts with wearing a mask. But why opt for plain old medical blue when you can rock your Raptors colours? The team’s official NBA store features face coverings in multiple colours, with a range of logo styles and material options.
Variety of multipacks available. Starting at $18.99 CAD
Damon Stoudamire Jersey
If you’re going to wear a throwback, why not go back to the beginning? Mighty Mouse is the original Raptors superstar, putting up a pinch under 20 and 10 in his rookie season. Stoudamire didn’t leave Toronto on the best of terms, but true fans can forgive and pay tribute to his big games (including that major upset over the 72-10 Bulls!) in this classic Dino purple jersey.
Available in Men’s size S-5XL. Starting at $159.99 CAD
We The Champs Book
A lot has changed since the 2019 title run, but Raptors fans aren’t soon to forget what an incredible year that was. From the unexpected (and bittersweet) DeMar DeRozan trade to the absolutely bonkers championship parade, 2019 was a year worth remembering over, and over, and there’s no better way to reminisce with Alex Wong’s incredible writing and We The Champs top-notch photography.
We The North Book
Doug Smith has been on the Toronto Raptors beat since the beginning, and here he tells the franchise’s quarter-century story from the inside out. With a foreword from Vince Carter, this is a must-have for older Raptors fans who’ve been there since the beginning and younger ones wondering what those mid-90s teams were really like. Basketball in Toronto, and Canada, has changed a lot since that first season, and Smith’s been there through it all.
Drake Cereal Art
Based in Portland but from Toronto, Sarah Brown’s incredible store is filled with incredible basketball-inspired art, including an entire line of We The North pieces. Her affinity and love for Toronto basketball shine through in her work, capturing what makes the culture special. If we had to pick our favourites, the hip-hop head in us says the Tribe Called Quest or Dr. Dre inspired artworks are top of the pack.
Print sizes from 11″ x 14″ to 24″ to 36″. Starting at $30 USD
Signed Vince Carter Dunk Photo
Vince Carter’s departure hurt because before it happened, he felt like family. But as the old wounds have healed we can finally go back to appreciating Air Canada for putting Toronto basketball on the map, and what better way to remember the good ol’ days than with this signed photo of one of his iconic rim-rockers? At his peak, Vince energized the city, and if you need a reminder of what that felt like, just look at JYD’s grinning face trailing behind him.
Raptors Neon Sign
Forget a nice rug, this is the piece that will really tie the room together. While perhaps a bit too bold for the living room, this neon light will make you the envy of Raptors fans everywhere… and maybe your neighbours, too, depending on how close the nearest window is. This light may not match the atmosphere of a game in person or the ambiance of your local watering hole, but it can take at home game experiences to the next level.
NBA 2K21 - Next-Gen PS5 / Xbox Series X
Sports games are often the best way to introduce yourself to the next generation of gaming, and for anyone lucky enough to land a PS5 of Xbox Series X, NBA 2K21 is the obvious choice. The only basketball game in town is an incredible sim, and with its new photorealistic graphics is the best way to take the Raptors on their next title run, play with classic teams or embrace your inner Masai in the game’s generation-spanning franchise mode.
Donation to Lowry Love Foundation
When it comes to basketball, Kyle Lowry is the king of Toronto. He represents what we love about the sport, and the city, leaving it all out on the floor when he plays and giving back to those when he’s not. And so while we wait for the much-deserved statue Raptors fans have been clamouring for, why not give back? The Lowry Love Foundation helps underprivileged and disadvantaged Philadelphians and Torontonians, and a donation on behalf of the Raptors fan in your life is a gift that can truly make a difference in someone’s life.
Damon Stoudamire Cameo
If you’re new to Cameo, it’s great. On it, you can commission celebrities, athletes and famous folks in-between to make short little videos for a usually reasonable price. There are a few former Raptors on the service: Danny Green, Jamario Moon and Damon Stoudamire among them. So if you’re not feeling the jersey option, why not ask one of these ex-Raptors to send the fan in your life some holiday cheer over video?
Raptors Wrapping Paper
Because you’re going to need something to wrap all these gifts with.