This is a busy time of year for all of us. Trying to find the right gifts for everyone can be time-consuming and challenging, and it's hard to know where to turn for great gifts by Catholic creatives.
This year, we asked our community of contributing writers to recommend their favorite Catholic gifts for our Gift Guide. For many years, you've trusted our writers to share advice about prayer, parenting, and Catholic living; now, they share their favorite gifts to give (or receive) from Catholic authors and shops.
Catholic Mom Christmas Gift Guide 2024
Amanda Lauer recommends wooden doll ornaments handmade by a Catholic wife and mother.
These original wooden ornaments, depicting various saints and biblical figures, are individually handcrafted by Stacia Kemna, a Catholic wife and mother, following the example of her devout grandmothers’ heirloom ornaments. Inspired by the saints’ witness, each ornament depicts a saint or figure and shares their story with intricate outfits and symbolic miniature accessories. The ornaments are individually packaged in a clear cellophane bag with a name tag and short biography card.
I was intrigued by these ornaments the first time I saw them at a Catholic women’s conference. Each one is so adorable! At the conference I purchased my favorite ornaments, and then went on to order individual ones for each of our eight grandchildren for their Easter baskets — plus a couple more for me! Stacia was kind enough to add some extra personalization to one of the ornaments: a tiny cat to accompany Saint Ava for our cat-loving granddaughter Evelyn. I enjoy my ornaments so much that I display them year-round.
Purchase these ornaments at Our Saint Family on Etsy.
Follow @OurSaintFamily on Instagram.
Allison Auth recommends a fun sticker book that allows children ages 6 and up create a beautiful Christmas design.
Last year I gave this sticker book to my kids and all my Godchildren for Christmas. It was a great way to celebrate the whole Christmas season as the kids worked on different pages each day, piecing tiny stickers together to make a final, intricate design. Some of the stickers are quite small but it’s easy to find where they go, and the end result is worth it! The sticker books are a great way to contemplate the Christmas story as each scene is coming to life, whether it’s the angels, manger, wise men, star, or Holy Family. I would recommend for ages 6 and up due to the small pieces. I even enjoyed working on some, and my 10-12 year olds might have enjoyed it most of all.
Order this sticker book from CatholicFamilyCrate.com.
Follow @CatholicFamilyCrate on Instagram.
Leslea Wahl recommends saint-related apparel from Proud Catholic Company.
If your family loves the saints as much as my family does, you’ve got to check out the selection of shirts that Proud Catholic Company offers.
I came across this company a few months ago while at a conference, and their saint shirts drew me right in. They offer so many fun sayings – Climb like Frassati, Speak like Siena, Work like Joseph, Fish like Jonah, Sing like Cecilia. I’ve been having fun perusing their selection, matching the various saints to my family members. These will make fantastic Christmas presents.
The shirts are so soft and are offered in a variety of colors and styles. The owners are very sweet and were eager to help me to further customize an order.
Their website features a few other items besides these amazing shirts, as well, such as hats, candles, and even a few books. They are definitely a company to check out this holiday season.
Order from ProudCatholicCompany.com.
Follow Proud Catholic Company on @ProudCatholicCompany.
Jane Korvemaker recommends sacred art by an artist whose work inspires reflection and prayer.
Those looking to both beautify their homes and be invited to accept the challenge of our faith each day will welcome one of Tianna’s sacred art paintings as a gift this Christmas!
I have followed Tianna and her sacred art for several years. She captures a vision of our faith within the hidden brushstrokes of each painting, revealing a sacred place to encounter beauty, truth, and love in each image. She highlights the uniqueness of each subject, subtly indicating the aspects of our faith that held particular strength for each or are a pillar of strength for us. I have found myself caught up in her images, wondering about details and often reflecting on how I might be invited into those particular gifts or that particular article of faith today.
The image of Mary inviting us to serve in God’s Kingdom sits in the hallway outside of our bedrooms. I see it as an invitation for us, each time we open our doors, to remember that God calls us to use the gifts he’s given to serve others, thereby contributing to building up his Kingdom.
Purchase sacred art from Tianna at SacredArtByTianna.com.
Follow Tianna on Instagram at @SacredArtByTianna.
Amanda Lauer recommends a line of products based on the artwork of Catholic artist Mary Williams.
I was captivated by the artwork of Catholic artist Mary Williams when I purchased her book My Mama's Garden for our granddaughters. She not only illustrated her own book, but she has created a plethora of watercolor floral prints used in her line of products that include art prints, wall canvases, apparel, stationery, swaddles, bandanas, blankets, tea towels, and, new this year, a wall calendar.
I've purchased a set of her notecards and a lovely wall print (My Vocation is Love), and I've got another print on my Christmas list this year. Her beautiful Catholic-centric pieces will encourage your heart to find beauty in your everyday.
Learn more at CreatingToLove.com and purchase this art at the Creating to Love shop on Etsy.
Follow Mary Willians on Instagram at @CreatingToLove.
Kate Taliaferro recommends digital art you can download and print for easy gift-giving.
I am a longtime follower of Valerie at Pax Beloved. Her digital art is so thoughtfully created and captures all the little moments of the life of the Holy Family as well as our own lives. Mary, Undoer of Knots is a special favorite. Valerie beautifully captures Mary’s joy at being able to help us unravel the knots and worries of life. I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite Holy Family image; each uniquely highlights the love between a mother, father, and child.
These digital prints would be lovely gifts for any family, office, school room or even nursery (the ones with baby Jesus are beyond precious). Valerie draws you into the mystery with striking colors, focused subjects, and the most lovely smiles. I am inspired each time I see a new image from Valerie on Instagram. Her work causes me to pause and reflect on the wonder of God’s love and abundance we can see in everyday life.
Purchase from the Pax Beloved shop on Etsy.
Follow on Instagram @pax.valerie.
Merridith Frediani recommends a book by a fellow Catholic Mom writer!
Love in the Eternal City by Rebecca W. Martin checks all the boxes and does not disappoint. She marries a good, solid, thoughtfully laid out story with real, likable characters. There is no boy meets girl, boy loses girl formulaic foolishness. There are no mental games or manipulation. There is no social agenda being pushed. No one swears. No one cheats. There are no irredeemable bad guys.
This book is captivating and enchanting and, dare I say, romantic. I am of the opinion that women want to be pursued, want to be swept off their feet, want to be valued and esteemed. Beni does this with Elena. There is redemption, prayer, forgiveness, and well-developed characters of good moral fiber. There is no unnecessary conflict, trauma, or defining negative climax. Nor is this a boring story. I was sad when the book ended and also satisfied at having enjoyed a story well told.
I recommend this novel to every Catholic woman I know, and I know several people who are going to get a copy for Christmas.
Ask for Love in the Eternal City at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Chrism Press.
Rachel Watkins recommends a novel by a Catholic homeschooling mom.
Annabel’s Story: How Beautiful are the Feet by Jessica Nelson
With the rise in women’s fiction, it can be hard to find authentically told stories and one from a decidedly Catholic perspective is exceedingly rare. Annabel’s Story, written by Catholic homeschooling mom of 8 Jessica Nelson, has given us beautifully story about finding out who you are in light of who God intends you to be.
Annabel is a mom of two who returns to her hometown in Bar Harbor, Maine to help at her family’s vacation rental business when her parents require some extra help. With her husband’s support, she takes over keeping the cabins ready for each guest’s arrival. When a group of longtime girlfriends arrive to celebrate a communal 40th birthdays, she finds herself both envious and welcomed into the group.
Throughout this story you read of Annabel’s love for family and her faith, but she is struggling. She has important conversations with her husband, reflecting on interior doubts about herself while cleaning up messes and doing laundry. As I read, I kept thinking Annabel’s life reflected most mothers in many ways. Is what I am doing important? Isn’t someone else’s life better? More important?
A lovely read for any mother, young or old, who wonders about their vocation in light of those around them.
Purchase this book on Amazon.com.
Karen Ullo recommends the just-published debut novel by Catholic fantasy author S.R. Crickard!
Misshelved Magic by S.R. Crickard, just released November 1, is the rare novel that manages to be many things at once and do them all well. It’s a fantasy filled with magic and magical creatures, a sweet romance, and a light, sometimes humorous read that nevertheless features a good bit of danger and tackles deep issues about life, death, afterlife, and the stewardship of our own talents. Although it’s the first in a planned series, it reads well as a standalone.
The novel is set in an Edwardian-inspired fictional country, where Adelina, Leon, and the cervara are destined to change the world of magic as much as technologies like motor cars and cinema are changing the world around them.
I fell in love with these characters and cannot wait to meet them again in future books!
Misshelved Magic is published by Catholic publisher Chrism Press and is also available on Amazon.com.
Barb Szyszkiewicz recommends a Christmas-themed novel by Catholic Mom contributing writer Carolyn Astfalk.
Carolyn Astfalk’s holiday novel, Ornamental Graces, is a Catholic romance with Theology of the Body underpinning the story.
This novel chronicles an on-again, off-again romance between Emily, a young teacher obsessed with all things French, and Dan, whose wounds from a past relationship make him wary of starting over. There are some terrific peripheral characters as well; you’ll want to adopt Grandma. Will Dan be able to finally put his past behind him and open up to new love?
This is an excellent story with realistic characters. (Keep tissues handy.) If you enjoy Christmas novels at any time of year, as I do, this is definitely one you'll want to read.
Ornamental Graces is available on Amazon.com.
Maria V. Gallagher recommends a book by a fellow Catholic Mom writer!
For the woman who may have become a bit frazzled by holiday festivities, I highly recommend the book Grace in Tension: Discover Peace with Martha and Mary. This book, so beautifully written by CatholicMom.com contributor Claire McGarry, guides women through a Scriptural explanation of Jesus’ friends Martha and Mary and how we can learn valuable lessons from each of them.
I found this eloquent work to be a real game-changer for me. So often I am caught between my “Mary” side and my “Martha” side, wondering how best to serve the Lord and my family and friends. This helpful book bridges that gap, allowing women to discover virtue within the ordinary experiences of their lives.
I believe that women of all ages can benefit from Grace in Tension and the powerful truths it explores.
You can find this wonderful book at Amazon.com or the publisher, Our Sunday Visitor.
Colleen Mallette recommends a daily devotional written from the perspective of the Blessed Mother!
Most people have heard of the “Jesus Calling” books by Sarah Young that contain daily devotionals as if written from Jesus. One of my favorite gifts to give other women is a similar daily devotional book from the perspective of Mary, written by a religious sister with extensive knowledge and passion for our Mother: Heart to Heart with Mary.
Sister Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND, is a Sister of Notre Dame from my home state of Ohio whose blog I have followed for many years. I ordered the book for myself right when it came out in 2017, and gratefully read it each day. I have since ordered fifteen more copies for friends of mine whose mothers have died, who have been seeking comfort or a closer relationship with Mary, or who are young women moving out of the home away from their mothers for the first time.
As it says on the back cover, “On each page, Mary speaks as our loving mother, assuring us of her guidance, protection, and intercession as our day unfolds. With compassion and tenderness, she leads us to her divine son, Jesus.”
Each day has a different theme, begins with the salutation “My child,” a 1-page reflection that concludes with a corresponding suggestion on how to talk to Mary about this theme.
Heart to Heart with Mary is a beautiful devotional that would make a terrific Christmas gift for a woman in your life to start reading from page 1 on January 1st!
Find this book on Amazon.com.
Hillary Ibarra recommends a nonfiction book based on the wisdom of Saint John Paul II!
Undivided Love: You Are Worth the Fight answers questions that burn in women’s hearts and challenge men, too. How does God — the One Who Knows and Loves me better than anyone — see me? Why do men and women struggle to see each other God’s way and what does the Fall have to do with that? How can I live a more grace-filled life and pursue God’s will whether I’m single, married, or a religious? How can I build up my marriage and family in a fallen world and reflect the love of the Holy Trinity?
Bauer highlights the wisdom of Saint John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women. Saint John Paul II’s great love, respect, and encouragement for women shine as she quotes him often. As he and Bauer point out the revolutionary way that Christ treated women in the Gospels, every woman will feel seen and loved. Bauer’s book inspired me to pray throughout its pages, and that is the greatest recommendation I can offer any book.
Undivided Love: You Are Worth the Fight is edifying and makes the ideal gift for all the beloved women in your life — and men, too!
Purchase this book at Amazon.com.
Victoria Hassan, our social media specialist, recommends an inspiring daily devotional.
I love the Morning Gratitude prayer devotional because it helps me start my day with Scripture and a positive mindset. I’m greeted with Scripture, thoughtful devotions, and prayers that ground me in gratitude and help me focus on God’s many blessings. This devotional helps me start my morning with thankfulness and joy, no matter what the day holds.
What I appreciate most is how the devotional is organized by category, allowing me to pick a scripture passage according to what I might be dealing with that day. I can easily find a reading that speaks directly to my current situation, making my prayer time feel more personal and relevant.
I highly recommend this as a Christmas gift for anyone looking to deepen their prayer life. It’s a beautiful way to inspire someone you love to start their mornings with a thankful and joyful heart. A perfect gift for bringing peace and joy into the Christmas season and the start of a New Year!
Purchase this book at Pray.com or on Amazon.com.
Denise Jelinek recommends a book that can help stressed-out moms find the joy in their vocation.
As a homeschooling mom of 6 kids, Sterling Jaquith found herself confused by why she was so unhappy in the life she had prayed for. This sent her on a search for the solution.
In Catholic Mom Calm, she shares the process and tools that helped her find more peace and enjoyment of her life, with nothing changing other than her approach to the stresses of everyday life with 6 kids, a marriage, and running a business.
What I love about this book is that the tools she teaches are blended seamlessly with the Catholic faith and as a mom who doesn’t read much, I found it easy to read in bite-sized portions. But most important is that what she teaches works and has created more calm and peace in my own home and marriage.
It’s a great gift for all Catholic moms with children of any age, but especially for moms who are finding the stress and overwhelm of family life is overshadowing the joy of her vocation.
This book is available on Amazon.com.
Claire McGarry recommends a book about the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, written by a fellow Catholic Mom author.
A beautiful read that draws us closer to the Blessed Mother. In Glorious Encounters with Mary, Gallagher seamlessly weaves together the significance of each of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary with stories from her own life, stories of the saints and practical tips and resources to grow in virtue and faith. The result is a beautiful tapestry of grace and inspiration, leading us to the heart of the Blessed Mother and her Son.
Gallagher’s writing style is incredibly poignant and relatable. Even if we don’t share her same experiences, she’s so open and honest, we can’t help but feel a connection that draws us even deeper into this powerful read!
This book is available at ShopMercy.org and on Amazon.com.
Janelle Peregoy recommends a spiritual memoir by a young religious sister.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a pastoral ministry class with a group of seminarians. The instructor offered them a unique insight into ministry. “Don’t over spiritualize everything.”
I highly recommend For Love of the Broken Body (Monkfish Publishing) by Sister Julia Walsh, FSPA. (Disclaimer: Julia and I were Jesuit Volunteers together before she entered the novitiate.) This spiritual memoir explores Julia’s vocational call as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and often reads as a coming-of-age story. Although the reader can feel the magnetic pull that Julia feels towards God and community life, she does not over spiritualize her experience. Instead, she offers a very human and wholly relatable narrative of a young postulant grappling with so many of life’s uncertainties.
As a 25-year-old novice, Julia sustained a horrific fall that left her broken and disfigured. While she physically and emotionally recovered, she learned to integrate all the disparate parts of herself: her grief & healing, her sense of justice and activism, her longing and sexual desire, and ultimately her sense of identity and purpose.
This memoir is ideal for any reader who wants to reflect on the unique (and sometimes circuitous) ways that God calls each of us into our vocation.
This book is available from Monkfish Publishing and on Amazon.com.
Caitrin Bennett recommends a children's book that introduces Marian apparitions in a creative way.
If you have a little girl who loves to play dress up, this book is a lovely way to get her excited about our Blessed Mother. This beautifully illustrated book introduces several Marian apparitions, featuring the special outfits Mary wore in each case, such as her star-covered veil at Guadalupe or her white and green dress in Knock, Ireland. The flowing rhymes of the text will help you learn about the significance of the colors and symbols Mary chose to adorn herself with in each location and show you how richly Jesus has blessed his beloved Mother and ours in heaven.
Our Lady's Wardrobe also shows how global our faith is, highlighting apparitions around the world. I recommend this book as a gift to little girls aged 4 to 10 or so — though adults will admire each page, too!
Our Lady's Wardrobe is available from the publisher, Sophia Institute Press, and on Amazon.com.
Katie Fitzgerald recommends a middle-grade novel featuring a Catholic family.
My Family and Other Skaters by Fiorella de Maria is a sweet, cozy middle grade novel infused with strong Catholic values. Rosaria ("Rose"), named for the Rosary, narrates this story, in which her best friend, Giuliana, who also happens to be the ice skating partner of her brother, Hugo, has learned she will be moving away. Rose is determined to convince her parents that Giuliana should stay with them, and she comes up with a plan to make that happen.
The characters in this book are wonderful Catholic role models, from Rose’s mother, who is always opening her home to strangers, to Hugo, who defends the dignity of his younger twin sisters with dwarfism against bullies who mistreat them for being different. The family attends Mass, prays the Rosary, and practices the faith, all in ways that feel very natural and not at all preachy. This is the perfect literary gift for girls ages 8 to 12 who love wholesome family stories.
My Family and Other Skaters is available from the publisher, Ignatius Press, and on Amazon.com.
Susan Ciancio recommends a series for early readers by Catholic Mom author Maria Riley.
If you are looking for a fantastic book series for young children that combines our Catholic faith with stories of an amazing family and saints who help solve real-world issues, look no further than Adventures with the Saints by Maria Riley. Seven-year-old Joshua has just been adopted by the Martin family. He soon finds that a treasured necklace given to him by his birth mother, when brought together with special items belonging to his two new siblings, Luke and Becca, unlocks the door to adventure. The siblings travel back in time to meet a saint and to receive much-needed advice to help them solve their problems.
So far, the children have met Saint Joseph, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint John Bosco, and Saint Joan of Arc. More incredible adventures are on the horizon!
These heartwarming stories are perfect for early readers (kids from 1st-3rd grade) and will not only help them make friends with the saints but will teach them the importance of family and of prayer.
Learn more and order from Maria’s site at MariaRileyAuthor.com/books. These stories are also available on Amazon.com.
Neena Gaynor recommends a homeschooling curriculum that will stir children's imaginations while they learn.
The Story of Classical Music: A Curriculum and Home Enrichment Book for the Young and Young at Heart by Sadie M. Hoyt is an invitation to enter the world of composers through the history, architecture, art, and philosophies of their era. This resource includes music charts, playlists, printouts, and listening activities.
For me as a homeschooling mother of energetic boys, The Story of Classical Music has been so much more than just another curriculum. Through the works of composers like Hildegard of Bingen, a Catholic nun who lived in the 12th century, the gothic architecture and stained glass of Notre Dame, and the paintings of masters like Caravaggio and Rembrandt, history is no longer silent, flat, or black and white.
This guide has been a gift to stir the imagination and instill wonder in my children, but also to infuse our ordinary days with timeless beauty. Perfect for any music lover, or for anyone you hope to give an educational and meaningful gift.
Use coupon code NEENA to save 10% off the purchase of this book at ClassicalEncounters.co.
Follow @classicalencounters_ on Instagram.
Michelle Nott recommends a quiet felt book that has helped her young children learn about the Mass.
This book has become a staple in our house for Sunday morning Mass! With 6 kids ages 7 and under, Mass has been a struggle for us. This Pray and Play Busy Book has truly blessed our family and helps our kids sit through Mass each week. I like that it is made from felt, so all the pieces are quiet if they fall out, and each page in the book provides a learning opportunity about our faith for our kids while they get to play.
All my kids enjoy this book so much that we ended up getting a second one to bring with us. As a mom of a child diagnosed with autism, I also really appreciate that this book was made with the special needs child in mind.
You can find this Pray and Play Busy Book online at Saintly Heart or Brother Francis (they collaborated together to create this).
Visit Saintly Heart and Brother Francis on Instagram.
Jennifer Thomas recommends a delicious treat perfect for the holidays and more!
I first stumbled upon St. Rita’s Cakes while perusing our local Archdiocese bulletin and had the fortunate opportunity of meeting the owner through an event I coordinated for my parish. I found the owner, Jeanne Dennis, generous in donating some of her delicious pound cakes for our event, and also quite humble.
I enjoyed every bite of the classic Cream Cheese pound cake the first time I tried it! It was just the right amount of sweetness and also not too heavy. A light frosting added the perfect balance for anyone looking to satisfy a sweet tooth without going overboard. It pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea and is sure to be loved by those who try it.
St. Rita’s Cakes is available in a variety of flavors, including seasonal flavors that can be shipped worldwide. You can purchase them directly from the website, StRitasCakes.com.
Shelly Henley Kelly enjoys adding saint-themed teas to supplement other gifts.
Sacred Heart Tea is on a mission to nurture holy moments in the chaos of life one cup of tea at a time. This small company is run by a mother/daughter duo who provide high quality loose-leaf tea blends attributed to various saints. Their product is beautifully packaged and make excellent gifts. I love settling down at night with a (decaf) St. Augustine blend. And thank goodness for St. Teresa of Avila (decaf peppermint/chamomile) that offers a natural way to settle an upset stomach.
To find your favorites, I recommend starting with a Communion of Saints sample pack. The sample sizes also work great for making up small teacher gifts or to share with a small group of friends. Get creative choosing saints (and teas) that mean something to the gift-receiver. Pair St. Bernadette with Our Lady of Lourdes. Put together a basket or order a Martin Family Box for that person who’s hard to shop for. New blends come out often, so subscribe to their newsletter to discover new seasonal blends.
Purchase at SacredHeartTea.com.
Kelly Guest enjoys giving away handmade candles with scents inspired by the saints!
CORDA Candles are my new go-to gift. During the holidays, I buy extras and put them in a gift bag just in case I find myself in need of a gift. If I do not need them, all the better for me: I get to keep them!
These coconut wax blend candles have scents sent from heaven, as each one is inspired by faith and saints. I love the relaxing smell of “Compline” with its perfect mix of dark amber, vanilla, and amber. Another one of my favorites is Saint Joseph’s “Capenter Shop.” Who knew leather and sawdust could bring me such comfort? Our Lady of Guadalupe’s “Roses in Winter” is reminiscent of my grandmother’s backyard.
Do you have a friend who loves reading? Gift her with Saint Thomas’ “Summa” candle with scents of books, ink, and straw to read by. Do you know someone who loves the great outdoors? When stuck inside, she may enjoy Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s “Alpine Ascent.” If you want a little light and warmth without all the smells, then the fragrance free “Immaculate Conception” is for you.
With so many fragrances to choose from, you may want to start with a sampler pack. Find your favorite and let your nose lift your heart to heaven.
You can find these candles at CordaCandles.com.
Follow @CordaCandles on Instagram.
Maria Morera Johnson enjoys supporting Catholic artisans living in the Holy Land when purchasing gifts.
Some years ago, my husband and I took a Mediterranean cruise that stopped in Ephesus, Turkey. We were so excited to visit the site of Mary’s house, hidden away in the hillside above the city. On our walk, we marveled at the olive trees that lined the path, transporting us to the time when the Blessed Mother walked these winding paths. Naturally, we brought home many olivewood gifts from this trip. Since then, I have often sought out the many family-owned businesses from the Holy Land, many who carve beautiful items from olivewood.
I discovered Jerusalem Gifts Olivewood at a conference. They specialize in selling hand-made olivewood articles from the Holy Land to help support Catholic Christian minorities in Bethlehem. Many Catholic families in the Holy Land work in small workshops to produce religious articles that represent Christian art of the Holy Land. Purchasing help sustain persecuted Christian families. My favorite item is the Holy Family.
Visit JerusalemGiftsShop.com to purchase items from the olivewood collection.
Follow JerusalemGiftsCo on Instagram.
Karen Estep recommends one of her favorite Christmas gifts from a jewelry shop that offers individual gifts as well as subscription boxes.
My favorite Christmas gift that my husband has gotten me over the last few years is the quarterly subscription boxes from Telos Art Shop. Each box is unique, beautiful, and packed with gifts that Jessica, the owner of Telos Art Shop, curates with love. The boxes include one piece of jewelry (you can pick if you would like your jewelry to be silver or gold) and a few other goodies from other small Catholic shops.
The best part about this gift is it truly is the gift that keeps on giving because the boxes come quarterly. Jessica makes sure to match the gifts to the liturgical season or this year some of the gifts were about the Eucharistic Revival! For me, the boxes always seem to arrive at exactly the time that I need a little spiritual pick-me-up.
My all-time favorite necklace that I received in one of my subscription boxes is a necklace featuring a pregnant Mama Mary that was in the Advent box. I try to wear that particular necklace during Advent now and receive many compliments on it every time.
Jewelry is one of the most beautiful ways we can express our faith as Catholics, not only as a way to remember who we are as Christians but to evangelize to others as well.
Order jewelry, gifts, or subscriptions at TelosArtShop.com.
Follow Telos Art on Instagram: @TelosArt.
Taryn DeLong recommends jewelry created by a Catholic Mom.
I gave these “light of the world” earrings to a goddaughter and a niece last year for Christmas, since they’d both gotten their ears pierced recently. Lily & Lamb is owned by Katie Ratliff, a Catholic mom who left the corporate world to create a business that would help families live out their faith. She sells other beautiful Catholic products for babies, children, and adults. Lily & Lamb shares inspiring and encouraging content on their blog and on Instagram, especially for Catholic moms, so I recommend giving them a follow @lily.and.lamb.
To purchase, visit LilyAndLamb.com.
Margaret Dwyer Hogan recommends beautiful and durable handmade Rosaries from The Rose Picker on Etsy.
When my youngest made her Confirmation, she picked Joan of Arc as a patron saint! I was thrilled! Joan of Arc has been my go-to saint for so many years for courage and fearlessness!
My Elizabeth has been a part of all my church volunteering since we moved ten years ago to Easton, Massachusetts when she was six. She has attended and then helped me with Vacation Bible Camps at my parish, and doing a mini retreat for families at Holy Cross Family Ministries based on the Rosary for kids when she was 8! She was teaching the teens how to do the dance moves to the theme song. I wanted to get her something special! After a hunt, I ordered this: Antique St. Joan of Arc Pink Jasper Bronze Wire Wrap Handmade Rosary.
Simply stunning. My daughter makes her own jewelry, so she appreciated how intricate and beautiful this Rosary is with a special bronze Joan of Arc medal. Unlike other Rosaries I have prayed with over the years, no matter how much we spin the beads it does not fall apart!
The artist makes them to honor many different saints including a men's Rosary with Padre Pio, and another with Saint Joseph. I may be ordering one myself for a special man in my life!
This Rosary and other designs are available on TheRosePicker shop on Etsy.com.
Follow @TheRosePicker on Instagram.
Rebecca W. Martin recommends a bracelet Rosary with a clever tracking feature.
AllieBeeCreates offers a super fun variety of jewelry, prints, paintings, stickers, cards, Rosary bracelets, and more. Pro tip: her decade Rosary bracelets have a clever tracker built in for those days when you’re quite literally praying one Hail Mary at a time.
The Pray-As-You-Go Rosary Bracelet is available on Etsy.com.
Follow @AllieBeeCreates on Instagram.
Kathryn Pasker Ineck recommends customized storage trays for Rosaries, jewelry, and other small items.
Always on the prowl looking for unique Catholic Christmas gifts, I stumbled upon this Custom Rosary Tray. It was the perfect gift for each of my teen-aged kids — and for my husband, too! They were excited to compare which image they each received and were thrilled to see their Confirmation names engraved alongside their first and middle names. I was pleased to see that it was one item that both of my college-aged sons took with them to their dorm rooms — no small feat with such limited living space!
This Rosary tray is engraved acacia wood tray is 8 x 4.75 inches and customizable with multiple font choices and image choice, and is both lovely and useful, conveniently keeping Rosaries, chaplets, medals, and even jewelry and watches collected … but the most impressive thing to me was the customer service! Simply Shining Light owner Katie Paukert reached out to me personally for an unexpected extra feature: an engraved wooden tag that doubles as a sweet Christmas tree ornament.
This Rosary tray is available from SimplyShiningLight on Etsy.
Follow @SimplyShiningTheLight on Instagram.
Carolyn Astfalk recommends a Rosary hanger to keep the whole family's Rosaries organized and tangle-free.
If your family is anything like ours, your home acts as a clearinghouse for rosary beads. The kids make them or are given them (in abundance) by well-meaning adults. You have a few favorites that family members pick up here or there. There are freebies that come in the mail. Over the years we’ve amassed many, many Rosaries: plastic, wooden, glow-in-the dark, pearlescent, beaded, string, cord. The list goes on and the Rosaries pile up.
Our many Rosaries, for years, lay out of sight in a tangled mess. Crammed into a drawer, they are easily forgotten. Enter the Rosary hanger. This beautifully crafted hanger not only adds beauty to our home, but it keeps our Rosaries from looking like a knotted mass of beaded snakes. Best of all, is a visible reminder to put the Rosaries to good use and pray as a family.
This makes a great gift for any Catholic but is especially meaningful for housewarming or to commemorate a wedding or special anniversary.
The Ave Maria Rosary Hanger is available from TheCozyCatholicLife on Etsy.
Follow @TheCozyCatholicLife on Instagram.
Allison Gingras recommends Catholic prayer cards you can give as a gift or mail to share a heartfelt message of prayer and support.
Jessica Marie's Sweet Little Ones shop on Etsy has long been one of my favorite places to shop — for gifts and myself! Our shared story of being adoptive moms drew me to learn more about her offerings, but her fabulous assortment of Catholic apparel, stickers, cards, and more keeps me coming back!
One of my favorite products is the elegantly designed Catholic prayer cards (6, 12, or 24 packs). The front of each card features watercolor-style art with soft colors and delicate details, including the Holy Family, Mama Mary, a cross, and a Spiritual Bouquet (which is my fave!).
Whether you purchase the pack to give as a gift or buy for yourself to gift with a special message and prayer to family, friends, or loved ones far away, these cards offer a heartwarming personal touch. The blank interior allows you to write heartfelt messages, specific prayers, or intentions tailored to each recipient's needs.
Prayer is a special gift; these exquisite cards provide an extraordinary, tangible reminder of your prayers. I recommend buying a set for yourself and someone you know who also loves to pray for others!
Purchase these cards from SweetLittleOnes on Etsy.
Follow @SweetLittleOnes on Instagram.
Maria Riley recommends a subscription that features a saint for each month.
The Saint of the Month box is my favorite gift to give and receive! Every month I get a chance to learn and engage with a different saint in a special way. Each box features four separate bags labeled for one week of the month. That means I get to open four gifts throughout the month — it's the gift that keeps on giving! The gifts are as varied as the saints themselves, from home decor to books to t-shirts.
When the box arrives, I open it and read about the saint for the month. Then within each weekly gift bag there is a companion page illuminating another facet of the saint and why this gift is paired with this saint. My kids love helping me open the weekly gifts, and it's the easiest way to get them excited about learning about some amazing witnesses to the faith. You can purchase individual boxes or 3-month, 6-month or 12-month subscriptions. For gifters on a budget, they also offer The Little Way bag that has all of the great info about the saints with fewer and smaller gifts.
Order the Saint of the Month box at SaintOfTheMonth.com/subscribe/.
Follow Saint of the Month on Instagram at @saint_of_the_month.
Maria Riley recommends Cathletics playing cards, created by another Catholic Mom contributor.
I absolutely love the Cathletics Playing Cards by Arma Dei because they give us the chance to bring faith into game night. The deck is formatted like a typical cards with the traditional four suits and ace through king. However, each card features facts about the Catholic faith.
The facts match the card number. For example, you will find the ten commandments on a ten and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit on a seven. The face cards are the biggies: St. Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and the Trinity. Each card is unique and educational, and clearly a lot of thought and prayer went into each card.
My family and I loved playing with these cards because we could play the games we already knew like Crazy Eights, Rummy, and Old Maid. As my kids use and read the cards, we have the chance to talk about some of the many facets of the Catholic faith.
If you’re looking for a perfect Christmas gift or simply want to incorporate our beautiful Catholic faith into game night with your family, Cathletics Playing Cards are exactly what you need!
Purchase Cathletics Playing Cards at ArmaDei.com.
Follow @MonicaArmaDei on Instagram.
Jennifer Thomas recommends a faithful alternative to the standard plush dolls for the children you love.
My three children began collecting stuffed animals and plush dolls at an early age. I happened to learn about Shining Light Dolls first as the small figurines that come with a little information card that tells about the saint in a way that is age-appropriate from a Catholic friend of mine. I was pleasantly surprised to see not only the Classic Dolls (small figurines that come with a little Saint Card that gives child-friendly synopses of each particular saint) but also Plush Dolls.
After spending some time perusing the variety of saints, I felt drawn towards a particular one for each of my children. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly they became attached to their new “stuffies” and have witnessed plenty of battles between St. Michael the Archangel, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Thérèse. I highly recommend these for children of all ages, as they allow opportunities not only for play but also discussion about each saint. While my children are getting older, their Shining Light Plush Dolls remain some of their most beloved and are sure to become favorites for other children throughout the world.
Visit ShiningLightDolls.com to purchase.
Follow on Instagram @ShiningLightDolls.
Choose from printable and interactive online calendars to help your family celebrate the Advent and Christmas seasons.
We hope our Catholic Mom Christmas Gift Guide helped you check everyone off your list. If you bought something from our guide, post your products and tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or X (Twitter)! #CatholicMomGiftGuide
CatholicMom is a community of women seeking to support and encourage one another in Catholic family life. We bring you voices of women from all ages and stages of Catholic motherhood.
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