Within your circle of family and friends, there's bound to be at least one sports enthusiast. Whether he or she is an avid player or a dedicated spectator, the thrill of the game ignites passion and gets the adrenaline pumping. And, when it comes to gift giving occasions - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and the holidays - there is an abundance of gift ideas, any of which is certain to bring smiles to their faces.

If your sports fan is also a gamer, there are a number of highly rated video games for the Xbox 360 that make great gifts. The basketball fan will enjoy the NBA 2K6, the hockey enthusiast will love the NHL 2K6, and someone who can never get enough football will go for the Madden NFL 06. The golfer who is also into electronics will have fun with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, while the soccer player will get into FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup. There is always any number of racing games available for the Xbox 360, and there's even a game, Bankshot Billiards 2, for those who love to shoot pool.

The Xbox 360 isn't the only platform that offers games for sports enthusiasts. If your fan is into portable gaming, many of the same sports-related games are available for the PSP. Plus, there's the highly rated World Soccer Winning Eleven 9 and Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee.

If your recipient is more interested in the real deal, there are a number of gift ideas that will thrill him or her. Tickets to watch their favorite team play are always appropriate, as are exhibition matches scheduled for their area. Many of the world's best tennis players are turning up for matches in cities across the United States, for example, and any tennis enthusiast would be delighted to watch a favorite player hit the court.

Big occasions sometimes call for big gift ideas. Recently, the children of a couple celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary pooled their money and arranged for the couple to take a trip to Arizona to watch their favorite major league baseball team during spring training. The memories of that trip will definitely last a lifetime.

There are a number of sports-related toys and games that will delight kids who are players or fans. For the collector, that elusive player card or other sports memorabilia is always a great gift idea.

Virtually every professional team offers an abundance of apparel, leather goods, sports bags, handbags, hats, mugs, and other items that carry the team's logo. Whether it's a minor league team or a World Series winner, it's a safe bet that you can find great gift ideas and shopping opportunities on their website.