Cheerleaders with long hair tend to put it in ponytails or braids for the game. Give them hair ribbons for this purpose. Purchase ribbon in the school colors or add their names to the ribbons with paint pens. Tie them to an elastic band or give them out loose for the girls to use as they wish. Use the ribbons as awards. Go with "Most Cheer," "Biggest Smile," "Best Jazz Hands" or "Best Laugh."
Homemade items are often inexpensive and personal, so don't be afraid to get out the paint and glitter. Make a small sign out of construction paper and secretly tape it to the cheerleader's locker door for her to discover. Purchase a foam drink-can wrap from a craft store and decorate it with glitter, fake jewels and the cheerleader's name. You can do the same with an inexpensive photo frame; include a photo of the cheerleader in her uniform.
Many spirit items can be personalized with a name or team mascot on them. These are perfect gifts for the team coach or parents to buy for the entire team. Get pencils in school colors with the cheerleader's names on them, silicone bracelets with the school name or magnets to put on lockers. Cheer charms slide easily onto a necklace or chain. Purchase car flags for the cheerleaders who drive to school. Key chains are great whether the cheerleader drives or not; they can be affixed to a backpack or purse. You can even create your own T-shirt design and make it or order it.
Few people can turn away treats you have purchased or made. Purchase a large water bottle in school colors and fill it with small, individually wrapped candies. Once the candy is gone, the bottle can be used during practice or game time. Bake large cookies with a lollipop stick in them. Frost them in school colors or pipe the cheerleader's name or funny things about her. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then gather them together into a large bouquet for the cheerleader.