Badminton Set: Give them a game to take outside

Start with the players and the place

A casual game can be as simple as keeping a shuttlecock in the air between two people. That makes badminton a welcome shared gift when the recipients enjoy moving about and have a suitable place to play. It is less useful when the garden leaves no clear room to swing a racket.

Think about wind as well as ground space. Shuttlecocks are light, and a gusty afternoon can make rallies difficult. Allow clear space above and around the players, a suitable surface and any permission needed to set up a net.

A pair of rackets or a portable court?

Some sets contain two rackets, shuttlecocks and a bag; others add four rackets and a net with its supports. Check the complete contents before comparing prices. A case that looks substantial may simply hold the net, while rackets need a separate purchase.

• Match racket size, weight and grips to the people who will use them.

• For a net, read its usable width, adjustable height, supports and fixing instructions.

• Look at spare shuttlecocks and whether replacements are easy to obtain.

• Compare the packed size and carrying weight for garden storage or taking it out.

Keep the gift at their pace

An anniversary set can come with an invitation to a future game, without assuming both people want competitive sport. Recreational equipment may be quite enough. It should still be something the recipients choose to do, rather than a new exercise routine imposed as a present.

A croquet set offers another kind of lawn game, with different room and setup requirements. A picnic blanket can make a day out more comfortable, but is not part of the badminton purchase unless expressly listed.