When it comes to giving gifts to motorcycle riders, patches are definitely a favorite. But you have a choice with patches: you can give them as the gift by themselves, or you can attach them to something. There are some pros and cons to both, and it really depends on the gift and on the person you're giving it to.
Giving patches alone as a gift allows the recipient to put them on whatever he or she wants. They can add the patches to their riding jacket, put them on a hat, or add them to a cloth shopping bag. They can also add the patches to their collection if they collect them. The downside here is that some people (not necessarily the recipient) might think you're cheap. They may see three or four patches as a small little gift, not knowing the true value of the patches or how happy the recipient is to get them.
On the other hand, putting patches on a gift lets you create a personalized item that the recipient may really love. It also lets you do more for the gift. While patches are valuable, they are a small gift. Putting patches on a jacket or bag and making that item a gift is a bit bigger and might be more appropriate for a holiday gift or a birthday gift for a close friend or family member, while a few loose patches might be more appropriate for a friend or riding acquaintance.
If you're giving a gift to someone close to you for a major occasion (birthday, Christmas, etc.), patches alone may not be enough. However, for smaller occasions or for friends, a few patches as a gift is a great idea.
