Christmas is a time for giving, and while that may sound like a simple statement, for many, it’s the excitement of receiving that defines the holiday. As a child, I would have argued that Christmas was all about the presents. “Giving? No way! Christmas is about presents!” I’d have said, though I never quite had the words to explain that giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin.
Today, Christmas presents still excite me, but as a cyclist, they come with a specific twist. Like many others, I often find myself unwrapping gifts that are undeniably cycling-themed. Whether it’s a quirky bike-shaped gadget or something adorned with an over-the-top wheel pattern, I have come to treasure each one, no matter how impractical it might seem.
Over the years, I’ve accumulated a collection of cycling-themed Christmas presents, each one more bizarre than the last. There was the pizza cutter, for example. It’s a small, yellow, metal contraption shaped like a road bike, complete with drop handlebars and two wheels designed to slice through pizza crust. It’s both ridiculous and delightful, and while it’s never touched an authentic Italian pizza, it proudly sits on my bookshelf as a quirky decoration.
Then there’s the multi-tool. This, too, is shaped like a bike, another common trope for cycling gifts. It’s equipped with all sorts of small attachments designed for tightening bolts and screws. However, when I first held it, I quickly realized its lack of durability—more suited to stirring porridge than fixing a bike. It’s a nice thought, but not particularly functional.
One gift that has lasted the test of time is a mug. It’s white and black, with the word “cyclopath” printed on the side and a cheeky description that reads, “chronic bike disorder.” Every time I use it, I’m reminded of the moment the gift-giver saw it and thought of me. There’s something incredibly heartwarming about knowing that someone saw a cycling-related item and immediately thought, “This is perfect for them.”
Cycling-themed presents may seem frivolous to some, but they are a reflection of a unique connection. For me, they symbolize more than just an item—they’re a sign that others recognize my passion for cycling. These gifts are not just tokens; they are gestures that say, “I know what you love. I’ve been paying attention.” In a world where gift-giving can sometimes feel like a chore, that level of thoughtfulness goes a long way.
And let’s be honest: cyclists like us are easy to buy for. We’re a group with a clear, simple passion, and this makes Christmas shopping easier for our loved ones. For us, the reward isn’t just the gift itself—it’s the recognition of our passion, wrapped up in the form of a shiny, two-wheeled pizza cutter or a mug we’ll use when our favorite one is in the dishwasher.
It’s not about practicality. It’s about the sentiment behind each gift. Though my bike-themed gifts may never make it into the saddle bag or grace a real pizza, I treasure them. They are reminders that I stand for something, and those around me see it. A flimsy multi-tool or a fun, impractical pizza cutter can be more meaningful than you might think. In the end, it’s the thought that counts, and the thought behind these gifts fills me with warmth.
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