5 Christmas/Holiday Autographed Sports Memorabilia Shopping Tips

Sooooo, you're thinking of buying an autographed item for Christmas? How do you knock it out of the park?

Here are 5 tips to make autograph Christmas shopping a success for the sports memorabilia fan on your shopping list.

#1 KNOW YOUR GIFT RECEIVER'S TASTE IN SPORTS

Make sure you do a little research on them.  Find out who their favorite player or team is. Do they have wall space? Any type of autographs they like to collect?  Signed basketballs, baseballs, helmets, jerseys?

#2 ONLY BUY AUTHENTICATED, AUTOGRAPHED SPORTS MEMORABILIA

If you are new to buying autographs, if you stick to buying autographs authenticated by PSA/DNA, JSA, and Beckett Authentication you are generally doing pretty good.  Those are the 3 main autograph authenticators.  Yes there are other companies you can buy from that do signings direct with the athletes such as Upper Deck.  But to keep things simple, try and buy authenticated autographs from those 3 previously mentioned authenticators.

LEARN MORE about authentication.

#3 BUY SMALL 

Autographed Baseball or Signed Mini Helmet?

I always suggest you buy a smaller type item such as an autographed baseball or mini helmet when getting a gift for someone.  Why?  Sometimes you don't know how much wall space a person has so getting a framed autographed jersey might be too much for them.  

Smaller items tend to display really easily too.  Getting a display case for a signed baseball and putting it on a desk is super simple.  Framed 8x10 photos are also a great way to go.

#4 BUY A DISPLAY CASE IF YOUR MEMORABILIA ITEM NEEDS ONE

Every item needs to be displayed properly.  Getting a UV protected display case will help keep the integrity of the autograph.

#5 BUY YOUR SIGNED SPORTS GIFT EARLY!!

No one likes to pay for express shipping when they don't have to, so buy your gifts early.  Also, when buying early you will get the best choice of items.  Autographed sports memorabilia tends to sell out and is not replenished fast due to the  nature of having to do another autograph signing with the athlete.  Buying early gets you the best choices.

Still looking for a cool and unique holiday gift?  Here are my 2018 best picks.