If you scroll Instagram or browse lifestyle videos on YouTube around this time of year, it is easy to find a collection of “gift guides” to suit every age and interest. Curated lists of age-appropriate toys and books are a great way to see lots of options and, as a parent to a young toddler, they help me consider a wide range of possible gifts. And to be frank, I love giving gifts! I truly enjoy shopping around for just the right item, so it’s no wonder these gift guides keep finding their way into my social media feeds. As I started seeing more and more guides pop up, it suddenly occurred to me that none of them centered around faith. Now, it’s not that I scoured every corner of the internet, but my algorithm is already overloaded with a mixture of parenting, toddlers, and a liberal interpretation of spirituality and church. One would assume that if an appropriate gift guide existed, it would have appeared!
My next thought drifted to my families. I serve as the Director of Education and Music at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Collegeville, PA, and am always looking for new ways to inspire them to bring faith formation home. Even on Christmas morning, a day of celebration marking Christ’s birth, faith can sometimes feel “out of sight, out of mind.” Might there be faith-centered gifts that keep Christ among the Christmas celebrations while also continuing to inspire faith formation at home for months and years to come?
But what makes an appropriate “faith-based” gift? In my experience, religious gifts tend to be trinkets that sit on shelves, such as an ornate cross or plaque featuring a piece of scripture. These items can be beautiful, and they have their purpose, but they are not necessarily useful in terms of daily faith formation. I wanted to inspire my families to gift items that would actively and appropriately grow their child’s faith. Not every person in the pew knows how to find theologically appropriate gifts, especially ones that align with our Episcopal beliefs. Thus, my “Christmas Gift Guide: Faith-based gifts to help you celebrate the season” was born!
Once I had the idea for the guide, the next step was curating the list of items. I started with items that I was already familiar with, such as the “Frolic First Bible,” one of my toddler’s favorite bedtime reads, and “The Beauty of Motherhood,” a treasured gift from my aunt after having my son. “Call on Me,” the Episcopal prayer book for youth, has been a beloved resource of mine for many years, and I was pleasantly surprised to find there is a sequel prayer book titled “Marked for Mission.” I considered gifts I have given in the past, such as the Truth Bands I handed out at last year’s church school celebration or hymn-inspired gifts given to my choir from Little Things Studio.
I turned to my colleagues in the FORMA Facebook Group for their expert suggestions. Author Glenys Nellist reached out and let me know about her wonderful picture books, and I found recommendations for a new inclusive storybook bible titled “The Book of Belonging.” Another person pointed me in the direction of Shining Light Dolls and Be A Heart, two online Catholic gift shops that quickly became favorites. Honestly, it was difficult choosing which items to feature from from these shops, so please take a moment to check out the store offerings for yourself!
As I sought to fill in the gaps for each age range, I asked myself, “What gifts would be useful? What gifts would be more likely to be treasured rather than trashed?” I wanted to include gifts that could be used in everyday life. For example, I included the Jesus Heals bandages on the kid’s guide. Yes, it’s “just a bandage,” but it also turns a common occurrence into an opportunity for spiritual formation. Items such as the Apples to Apples game or Punch Needle Kit for kids, and the O Holy Night Embroidery Kit for adults seek to bring reminders of faith into leisure time. Other gifts such as the Vinyl Stickers, the Car Mirror Hanging Cross, or Let Yourself Be Loved necklace are meant to be whispers from God that you can carry throughout your day.
And, of course, an Advent-specific guide was a must! As a season, Advent largely gets forgotten about in the secular world. Chocolate-filled Advent calendars are delicious but don’t necessarily inspire a connection with God and the greater meaning of Christmas. I wanted to encourage spiritual rituals as part of a family’s regular routine, such as with the Mary on the Mantle activity or the Jesse Tree readings. The devotionals Come Thou Long Expected Jesus and Advent Presence seek to provide new perspectives. Kids, who learn best through play, are encouraged to play with the mystery of incarnation when given a Wooden Advent Wreath or the Advent Theater House. My hope is that every person who views the guide is inspired to embrace Advent, and the season truly becomes a time of hope and expectation.
Ultimately, my goal in creating these guides was to inspire others to invest in at-home faith formation and provide a starting point for their gifting. None of the products are endorsed or collect commission, I simply wanted to help families during a busy time of year. This is also not an exhaustive list, and not all the items may be appropriate for every family or every tradition. But I do believe that these are all worthwhile options and useful gifts that will help support a person’s faith and relationship with God. Above all, may you be blessed in the seasons ahead and gift those around you with light, love, and joy.
What items would you add to the Christmas Gift Guide: Faith-based gifts to help you celebrate the season?
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I have found he book “Call on Me” by Jenifer Gamber and Sharon Ely Pearson to be absolutely excellent. Each of my teen kids have a copy, and I have my own copy too! Many, many times over the years, I have pulled it out before a school day starts.
Thank you for that recommendation!