I've been saving this gift guide for last, as it's got some of my absolute favourite products of all the ones I've featured so far. This is basically my own, personal Christmas wish list (though I'll let you into a secret - I've already sneaked numbers one and five into my life. The rest I am very much open to receiving...) If you've a female rower in your life, you really, honestly can't go wrong with any of these (with one possible exception - but read on). Yes, folks, it's the Girl on the River Christmas Gift Guide for Women Rowers.
1. Nicky all-in-one: $72, Queen B Athletics
Oh, the love I have for this all-in-one... but where to start? The flattering cut? The super-soft fabric? The slimming black base colour? The cute-as-a-button peach and grey trim and lining? The fabulous cross-over back? If you imagine that AIOs never do a girl any favours, I urge you to think again and try this one. Your lady rower will love you for this, when she sees how damned hawt she looks in lycra after all. By the way, it's much more peachy than it looks in the pic.
2. Rowing heart pendant by Strokeside Designs: £31.99, Rowperfect
You know, I've never really gone in for rowing jewellery before - it always seemed a bit... obvious. Until, that is, I discovered Strokeside Designs. This is just one of many gorgeous designs, cleverly incorporating oars and rowing motifs into beautiful silver pendants, bracelets and earrings. They'll even do custom designs featuring your club colours (check out the Rowperfect shop - note: you won't be in time for Christmas for customised ones - but hey, birthday!!)
3. Get in, sit down, shut up and row keyring: £8, Square Blades
Not gonna lie here - you're taking your life in your hands with this one. This made me laugh till I wept, but I know for a fact that I am not the faffiest faffer in my squad - naming no names - hey, they know who they are 😉 . If your lady rower is a faffer and can laugh at herself, or if she endlessly moans about those that do, this is totally, TOTALLY the gift for her. But please, please don't blame me if she has a massive sense of humour failure over this and it ruins your Christmas.
4. Snowflake leggings: £48, Godfrey Rowing
If a Christmas jumper's too much but she still wants a little seasonal fun in her rowing life, these are just the ticket. Godfrey have brought out a brilliant new range of Christmas leggings which include some super-stylish (and bang on trend) Scandi numbers as well as elves and stripes if she's going for all out fancy dress. And as they're from Godfrey, great quality and cut are a given. They're all, incidentally, available in a male cut, too.
5. Triflex sunglasses: £19.99, Trespass
However cold it is, when the sun comes out on a winter's day you still need to protect your eyes from the sun. These sunnies are the business (I have this very pair myself) and wildly good value. They don't make everything too dark - great for weaker winter sun - and are light as a feather so don't weigh heavily on the bridge of your nose. Fabulous little stocking filler.
So, that's all the gift guides done now, and you can relax and start inhaling mince pies and dancing to Buble. It's not the end of the festive fun at Girl on the River, though - I'm doing another Christmas song this year, and it's going to be a bit different from the last one - that's all I'm saying for now. Ho, ho, ho.
