A Last-Minute Gift Guide for Catholic Dads

Via Pixabay (2015), CC0 Public Domain

I don't know about you, but Father's Day catches me by surprise every year. June is always a little hectic and suddenly, you remember that Father's Day is this weekend and you need to get your gift-giving act together and come up with something really great for the amazing dads in your life.

If this is you, too, then fear not! My husband and I have compiled a short list of creative gifts of Catholic Dads.

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"Catholic Puzzles, Word Games and Brainteasers"

Popular radio personality, author and dad, the ever-witty Matt Swaim (no relation to the author) has created the perfect gift for Catholics who love solving puzzles and are eager to learn more about their faith at the same time. There are currently two volumes available for preorder with a wide variety of types of puzzles and degree of difficulty.

St. Anthony Golf Balls

When I saw this gift online, I cracked up. From their website: ". . . invest in the friendly gift of St. Anthony-inspired golf balls for your friends and family who frequent the rough. While St. Patrick's Guild will send you the St. Anthony golf balls in a protective package so they reach you safely, we cannot promise that they make your family and friends better golfers - hopefully they can just find their golf balls a little faster."

"Drinking with the Saints: The Sinner's Guide to a Holy Happy Hour"

If the Catholic dad in your life enjoys a cold glass of beer or shaking up a cocktail then he'll appreciate this great book by Michael P. Foley. It contains classic and new recipes, wisdom from saints and commentary on the good life. "One part bartender’s guide, one part spiritual manual, a dash of irreverence, and mixed with love."

Mystic Monk Coffee

Dad prefers coffee to beer? Give the gift of caffeine with Mystic Monk Coffee, roasted and sold by Carmelite Monks in Wyoming. "Each coffee bean is roasted with love and prayer," says their website. But that love and prayer is effective because this is good coffee, with consistently high ratings from CoffeeReview.

Barbatus Beard Balm

Does your dad sport a beard? Then he'll love this product from the Catholic Balm Co. Their balms are handmade by Catholics and their scents are inspired by the Catholic life, including incense and holiness. Each purchase supports youth ministry and missionary work, so you're not just getting a soft beard, you're also participating in the work of evangelization.

Finger Rosary

Don't these look so very awesome and manly? These wooden finger rosaries come in a variety of types of wood (I think the tigerwood is my favorite) and are perfect for dad to keep in his pocket to order his day in prayer, stay close to the Blessed Mother, and to intercede for his family.

Men Saints Icons

"The icons of the saints are filled with the Holy Spirit." (St. John Damascene) Monastery Icons has a great selection of icons to inspire the Catholic Man. They come in a variety of sizes and you can choose a patron that's just right for your dad. (Be sure to check out St. Joseph the Worker and St. George and the Dragon, two of my favorites!)

"Man to Man, Dad to Dad: Catholic Faith and Fatherhood"

And finally, you can't go wrong with this book! Compiled by Brian Caufield, with a forward by Cardinal Dolan, this book features reflections from thirteen authors, including Patrick Madrid, Ray Guarendi, and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, on a variety of topics to help Catholic dads live their vocation.

Happy Father's Day!