As we look forward to celebrating Our Lord’s birth, our annual guide offers meaningful gifts for family and friends. Curated to be spiritually uplifting and intellectually and aesthetically pleasing, these gifts will augment your faith-filled celebrations.

From EWTN Religious Catalogue

To order: EWTNRC.com or call (800) 854-6316. EWTNRC.com will offer free shipping on Cyber Monday, Dec. 1.

 

‘Father Leopold Celebrates Mass’ Lego Set: Infuse faith into play. This 174-piece set features genuine LEGOs and a few modified bricks that, when assembled per the included instructions, will inspire your children to dive into the Sacred Mystery of the Holy Mass. This also becomes a great learning tool, as Father Leopold comes with green, white, red and purple chasubles to change throughout the liturgical seasons. Recommended for ages 6 and up. 

 

Wooden Mass Kit Playset: Inspired by images of French Mass playsets from the 19th century, this wooden Mass playset is a one-stop shop for helping children reenact the Mass and potentially discover a vocation. It includes a cross, candles, chalice, ciborium with hosts, cruets of water and wine, a pall, paten, and even a lavabo bowl. The pieces are made with a sustainably sourced rubberwood, painted with non-toxic paint, and conform to standards for toy safety. Made for age 18 months and up.

 

Saint Friends 6-in-1 Wooden Block Puzzle: This wooden cube puzzle is a kid-friendly favorite. These blocks are made with sustainably sourced rubberwood, painted with non-toxic paint, and conform to standards for toy safety. The blocks, featuring saints from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, are a great way to introduce children to new heavenly friends. Made for age 18 months and up.

 

EWTN Publishing + Emmaus Road

Advent and Christmas With Mother Angelica: Mother Angelica invites readers to discover the lasting peace and happiness found in the Child who is coming. These meditations are drawn from the finest episodes of Mother’s popular television show, offering advice on how to set Christ at the vibrant center of your holiday celebrations. Mother Angelica unveils the true meaning of Christmas and applies the Gospel to everyday life, guiding readers in prayerful reflection and offering advice on how to foster charity, humility, reverence, serenity and joy in a chaotic world. 

 

Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics: In this beautiful, full-color, clothbound companion for the Sunday Mass, Scripture scholar Scott Hahn reflects on the Sunday Mass readings, providing insightful context for all Catholics to better understand what we hear — and why we hear it — on any given Sunday. This easy-to-use devotional also includes carefully selected passages from the Catechism that provide an overview of the Church’s basic doctrinal and moral teaching and challenge each of us to greater fidelity to Christ; Year B is available at EWTN Religious Catalogue; from Emmaus Road at StPaulCenter.com.

 

With Jesus & Mary: Reflections on the Rosary: Father Daniel Klimek brings to life the thought of Pope St. John Paul II, St. John of the Cross, St. Josemaría Escrivá, St. Faustina Kowalska and mystics such as Venerable Maria of Ágreda and Caryll Houselander, uncovering little-known spiritual treasures.
Using his wisdom as a spiritual director and deep knowledge of Mariology, Father Klimek helps readers apply the lessons of the mysteries of the Rosary to their daily lives — and to truly enter into them with Jesus and Mary; from Emmaus Road.

Recommended by Bishop Thomas Paprocki

‘Blessed Is the Nation’ Rosary for America: This rosary has a special crucifix with red and blue enamel stars and stripes on the front and “ONE NATION UNDER GOD” on the back. On the center is an image of Our Lady on a map of the United States of America with Psalm 33:12 on the back that reads: Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord. The antique bronze Hail Mary beads feature all 50 states’ individual abbreviations. 

 

Around the Catholic Table: Catholic cooks will enjoy Emily Stimpson Chapman’s new cookbook; pair with a fun apron or the ingredients for a favorite recipe. From Emmaus Road Publishing.

 

The Great Adventure Catholic Bible: The key to understanding the Bible is uncovering the story that ties it all together and puts it all into a meaningful narrative. Discover how all of the books, characters and events of the Bible come together to reveal God’s amazing plan for our lives.

 

Nativity Door Hanger
This aluminum door hanger features the Nativity. A bright yellow star fills the green outline of the stable and radiates down upon a depiction of the Christ Child, along with renderings of Mary and Joseph. 

 

Fontanini® Tabletop Nativity Cross

This hand-painted resin Nativity cross measures 6 inches high. The verse reads: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:44).

 

Holy Family Ornament
This beautiful ornament is made of laser-sculpted Italian olive wood. The round slice of wood has smooth edges, and the image is a 3D-laser-sculpted-and-painted relief that provides a classic old-world look and feel. Measures 2 1/2 inches in diameter and comes with a gold ribbon for hanging. Imported from Italy.

For Jane Austen Fans

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of beloved British novelist Jane Austen.

Ready to read or reread? Ignatius Press’ Critical Editions offers Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park; Ignatius.com. To delve deeper into all things Austen, read Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life: On Love, Friendship, and Becoming the Person God Created You to Be.

Feeling crafty? Make your own Elizabeth and Jane Bennet dolls from the Marzipantz Shop. (Recommended for ages 12 and up.) Other Austen-themed offerings include a calendar and stickers; Marzipantz.com. 

Bonus pick: Jane Austen Embroidery will teach you how to make “beautiful embroidery projects from the era of Jane Austen”; Amazon.com.

Artza Box

Handcrafted, faith-inspired items from Israel: Unbox items inspired by the places where Jesus walked; every product tells a story rooted in Scripture. Create memories with recipes, crafts and devotionals that bring the Holy Land into your home. Every purchase directly supports and blesses Jewish and Christian artisans and small businesses across Israel. It’s made for you, by real people in the Holy Land. No two boxes are the same; ArtzaBox.com.

Learn About the Bible

Old and New Series, by Maura Roan McKeegan and Scott Hahn and Ted Schluenderfritz (illustrator): This series makes biblical typology easy for children of all ages to understand. Through rich artwork and language drawn carefully from sacred Scripture, this series presents the people, places and events of the Old Testament side by side with their New Testament counterparts, illuminating the way for readers to uncover infinite layers of meaning in the word of God.

 

 

Care for the Spiritual and Physical

Running for a Higher Purpose: 8 Steps to Spiritual and Physical Fitness and Holy Goals for Body and Soul: Eight Steps to Connect Sports with God and Faith, by Bishop Thomas Paprocki: Want to improve your physical health while deepening your spiritual life? The marathon-runner-and-hockey-player bishop shares how the simple discipline of running can help you unlock profound spiritual benefits. The bishop also has a message for teens and young adults: Athletics and fitness provide daily ways to connect with God. Bishop Paprocki weaves his unique personal story with eight athletic topics and connects them with a path to wholeness; online at Dio.org/bishop/books-by-bishop-paprocki. 

 

 

Wearable and Artsy Style

The “Holy Family Scarf” comes in silk or wool online at LitanyNYC.com; also peruse the art prints from Mattie Karr at MattieKarr.com.

 

Carlo Plush

Young fans of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, will love this sweet plush from Little Drops of Water; this 8-inch plush features the saint’s signature polo with a Eucharistic emblem, plus a rosary, to remind youth that even young people can become saints through love of Jesus, daily Mass and Eucharistic devotion.

 

Caroling Companion

Illustrated Classic Christmas Carols: Find favorite theologically rich Christmas hymns — lyrics and music — accompanied by the most stunning illustrations and brief reflections before each song. Even the end pages are gorgeous, and the gold-foiled lettering on the cover adds to the timeless feel and makes it the perfect gift for individuals and families this holy season.

 

The Imitation of Christ 

This classic is a perfect companion for anyone seeking to grow in prayer, faith and intimacy with Jesus. Listen to Father Mike Schmitz read and reflect on The Imitation of Christ on the Ascension App.

 

 

Unshakeable

This new book by Father Mike Schmitz, the host of The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year podcasts (listen at EWTN.com/radio), reveals how cultivating virtue can help you become the joyful and peaceful person God made you to be.

 

 

Eternize Crucifix

The world’s first crucifix that uses modern technology to help wearers build a rhythm of prayer in the middle of daily life — without adding another screen; this wearable sign of faith gives subtle haptic feedback, nudging wearers to pray throughout the day and create a consistent habit; MyEternize.com.

 

Tabernacle Offering

Looking for a gift for your parish? Pay for the cost of the tabernacle — the house of Our Lord — to be polished.

 

BONUS PICKS

Sacred Heart Candle

An ex-voto candle is a devotional offering; the Sacred Heart is a common image used, symbolizing the pure heart of Jesus. Saint Candles offers other candles named for saints and Our Lady; SaintCandles.com.

Catholic Pottery

St. Joseph Carpenter’s cups set — Hand-made Catholic ceramics pottery, 8 ounces each — will remind you of the patron of the universal Church when you sit down at your family table; Marian mugs and more are also available; Etsy.com/shop/GloriaPottery.

OTHER IDEAS

Special Outing

Plan a special outing or give pre-purchased tickets to a show or exhibit for a family member or friend.

Gift of Pilgrimage

Buy a pilgrimage (such as sponsor the parish youth group) or a day-trip tour.

 

 

 

 

Gift descriptions compiled by Debbie Cowden, Katie Warner, Katherine Bogner, Register senior editor Amy Smith and EWTN Religious Catalogue.