Is your Christmas shopping becoming an impossible task? We've got inspiration and ideas from our favourite Catholic suppliers!
Christmas shopping can be tricky at the best of times, let alone trying to find meaningful, good-quality gifts that raise hearts and minds to heaven! We asked around, researched, and collated the best recommendations from people who have found some gems for all ages and dispositions. From an elf-on-the-shelf alternative to awe-invoking experiences, we've got you covered.
Please note: we are not responsible for the content of the links in the article. Prices correct as of November 29th 2023
The beautiful A4 2024 Calendar, or an equally beautiful A3 Family Calendar (with four useful columns!) with over 200 feast days noted in the fifth column, will prayerfully support the organisation of your home, with 12 original pieces of art inspired by the months, and walking with Jesus through them. Why not buy one (or 5!) for your family, office, grandparents, or even for your priest...
From £14 when bought in pack of 5. Ships from the UK.
Though it's technically an advent gift, a ticket to enjoy the Messiah, performed by candlelight at the architecturally stunning Good Shepherd Church in Nottingham is bound to go down well. For those. people who are hard to buy for, give the gift of an experience! Find out more here: https://www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/events/messiah
Adult tickets from £17.50 or £5 for children
Get your children excited about their faith with the subscription box for Catholic children!
Our monthly subscription box keeps children excited about their faith and provides hours of holy, screen-free fun. Kids eagerly look forward to their monthly faith package, and parents are delighted to see their children enthusiastic about practising their faith.
This subscription is a perfect gift for families, children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces and nephews.
Included in every crate:
£32 per box, with discounts for 6 or 12 month subscriptions. Ships internationally from USA at approx £13 per box (when we tested it).
Forget socks and scratchy jumpers, why not treat your loved ones to some meaningful, new, cosy clothes this Christmas? Thanks again to first Saturday, you can choose a stylish Our Lady of Guadalupe uni-sex t-shirt, or a beautiful green and gold, cosy 'Gloria' Jumper, and there's even a matching tote bag to really complete the look, or coordinate your gifting.
Starting from £8.00. Ships from the UK.
Thanks to CatholicMothers.co.uk, a huge number of products which usually ship directly from the USA are available with a muchlower shipping rate! Some of ur favourites are these 60+ collection of ShiningLight Dolls! With options of cuddly plush dolls and the 'classic' durable doll, both are perfect for young nieces and nephews.
Studies show that cuddling plush dolls evokes a sense of security, comfort and peace in children. Just like a well-rooted faith! Our plush dolls combine the best of both worlds, and teach children to associate these positive emotions with their faith.
The ‘Classic’ Dolls encourage children to engage in imaginative play, helping children to make sense of the world, encouraging empathy, and learning about saints at the same time. Children put themselves in someone else's shoes- whether it’s a parent, princess, farmer or saint (and in the case of some saints, all of those things!).
Allowing children to pretend to play with saints encourages them to emulate and absorb those characteristics. Imagine being a solider for Christ with St. Joan of Arc, a princess feeding the poor with St. Elizabeth of Hungary, or a doctor and animal lover like St. Martin departures!
Prices start from £12.99! Ships from the UK or free collection from London.
Tiny Saints are durable and colourful charms are made of soft PVC (a material similar to rubber), and can be clipped on anything including backpacks, key chains, apparel, purses, rosaries, pet collars and more.
Each Tiny Saint is about the size of a 20p coin and there are more than 60 Tiny Saint charms available! Tiny Saints are great gifts for any birthday, graduation, baby shower, Easter baskets, Baptism, FirstCommunion, Confirmation and virtually any special event.
Prices from only £5.00! Ships from the UK or free collection from London.
As well as keyring charms, you can also get your hands on some beautiful multi-coloured glass bead rosaries in the same style.
If you like the idea of a rosary for a child, but “glass-beads” sounds a little too chaotic, then how about these silicone-beaded rosaries, perfect for older toddlers and children ages 4+. They’re handmade and feature a wooden laser-cut cross. They’re available in SIX colours! If you’re loving the rosary idea, but are still not sure, check out the whole page of rosary-related gifts here.
Prices from £14.00. Ships from the UK or free collection from London.
Introduce your little bundle of joy to the delightful story of Saint Francis with Baby's First Story of Saint Francis. This precious baby crinkle book is full of beautiful colours and illustrations that will captivate and engage babies as they learn about one of the most beloved saints. Perfect for giving as a gift to welcome a new baby for Catholics and animal lovers alike. Featuring a soft exterior and durable construction to withstand tough handling by curious hands, this sweet storybook is designed to bring comfort and joy to both parent and child alike. If you’re after more of this type of gift, head to the Be A Heart website where you’ll find a plethora of amazing catholic gifts for all the family.
Prices from £13.00. Ships from the UK or free collection from London.
Also see Mary on the Mantel Book and Activity Kit (we're sure sure she's much better behaved!) and Our Lady of Guadalupe Muslin Swaddle Blanket
“Proclaiming the Good News through Art andBeauty”, Dominicards is your one-stop of all things transcendent! From ArtPrints, Prayer Cards, Rosaries, Postcard Prints, Christmas Cards and tree ornaments, there’s something to brighten every corner of your home (or your recipients!). The products are all designed and made by the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph with proceeds from product sales going towards supporting the life and mission of the community.
Prices start at only £1.50! Ships from the UK.
World Gifts are a range of virtual charity gifts that will delight the people you give them to and help transform the lives of families and communities living in poverty. After purchasing your gift, you’ll receive a beautifully illustrated card of your chosen gift, together with a presentation gift envelope, which explains how your gift can help people fighting poverty. You can also choose one of our gorgeous ecards or to print at home to receive your gift immediately! And you can now send a personalised card directly to your loved one, by choosing "post direct" and typing in your message.
Prices start from as little as £5.00
There are some tremulous books out there for the whole family, here’s a brief summary of only a few!
This is the story of Jack Giorgio, who dreamed of becoming a superhero.... With bright and moving illustrations and a fun, rhyming story, your child will love the spirited Jack Giorgio and his quest to find heroes . . . and become one himself. This beautiful tale shares a touching father-son relationship and emphasises the heroic nature of the Catholic priesthood, as well as introduces young readers to a host of holy saints and inspires a love for the Blessed Eucharist. Following on the heels of the beloved Lily Lolek: Future Saint, this picture book will be enjoyed by both boys and girls alike for years to come!
John Mark Comer offers a compelling emotional and spiritual case against hurry; in favour of a slower, simpler way of life. “Who are you becoming?” That was the question nagging pastor and author John MarkComer. By outward metrics, everything appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren't pretty. So he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words: 'Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life.' It wasn't the response he expected, but it continues to be the answer he needs.
Just as Saint Joseph protected Mary and Jesus and provided for their needs, his intercession from heaven can protect and provide for you. This prayer book will help you grow in friendship with Saint Joseph and ask for his powerful intercession in prayer.
In this refreshingly different look at prayer, Johannes Hartl (a Catholic philosopher and theologian) explores twelve simple ways to build a thriving prayer life--twelve steps that have transformed his life. Hartl encourages readers to explore different forms of prayer, from embracing silence, to creating your own "inner garden" in which to meet with Jesus wherever you are, to overcoming the scripts and traffic in our heads that prevent us from encountering God. With inspiring stories, spiritual exercises, and practical ideas, Simply Pray will help you develop daily rhythms of prayer, even in the hectic pace of day-to-day life.
The Word on Fire Bible is a groundbreaking series introducing readers to the strange, colourful world of the Bible. It was designed to appeal not just to Christians, but to nonbelievers, searchers, and those with far more questions than answers. It doesn’t presume any experience with the Bible; in fact, it was created for people reading the Bible seriously for the first time, who may be unsure of what to make of its many events and characters.
Why not prepare a Spiritual Bouquet for your friends and family members this year? What’s that? It’s a way of intentionally praying for the intentions of another, in a variety of ways, then presenting them as a virtual (or living, if you like) bouquet. Perhaps in a greeting card or note you could simply write something like “I made you a spiritual bouquet, which includes_ Hail Marys, _ Our Fathers, _ Rosaries, _ prayers before the Blessed Sacrament,_ Sacrifices/Fasting”
If you prefer to have a mooch around a shop, why not take a trip to Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, located here in the Diocese of Nottingham (near Coalville in Leicestershire), where you’ll find a gift shop brimming with options(not all of the options above). The shop boasts a beautiful selection of gifts and cards, including books for all ages, art, icons, rosaries, and even local honey! The Abbey is, of course, home to the famous Tynt Meadow Trappist Ale, which you can pick up in the Abbey Gift Shop or order online here. Parking is available on-site, and it’s a fantastic spot from which to explore the natural beauty of Charnwood Forest. The shop’s webpage states opening hours are: Monday– Saturday, also Bank Holidays (except Christmas Day) 10am – 4.30pm (closed12.10pm – 12.30pm and 2.10pm – 2.30pm for Office prayers). If you’d ratchercall ahead, it’s 01530 832298 ext. 5.
Another option is to visit the Cathedral Repository, located on the upper level of Cathedral Hall, in the grounds of the Cathedral, and is open between 9AM – 2PM on Sundays and Fridays. It's best to check the Cathedral newsletter for up-to-date hours or Contact Cheryl at cbroodryk62@gmail.comfor more details.
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