In the last few weeks, our mailbox has been full of flyers and gift ideas for loved ones this Christmas. My kids, quick with their markers, frantically marked their wish list items, eager to pass on their lists to doting family members. As I watched them furiously scribble and fawn over all sorts of battery-operated gadgets and gizmos, I couldn’t help but think about gift alternatives that engage their hearts and minds a little differently. It is so easy to get swept away by what marketing experts whisper into our ears, especially if you are privileged with a long list to bless with presents this season.
If you are searching for a few ideas to delight your friends and loved ones this Advent season, perhaps you can find an idea or two in this list! And don’t forget – beyond gifts that you can wrap – the gift of your time and attention will always bless the hearts of those you love in the most meaningful of ways!
To deepen faith through learning and lived experiences:
A few resources that include online/in-person conferences or courses that can help families and individuals lean into their vocations and their God-given identities to deepen their faith.
For couples to strengthen the bonds of their marriage through a romantic getaway, the FamilyLife Conference will equip them with practical tools to continue to draw closer towards oneness.
For men and women who want to gain a deeper understanding of their identity and have a more deeply-rooted, Christ-centered life, the Life Restoration Identity Course (online with a small group cohort) and Tsh Oxenreider’s Rule of Life (downloadable material for self-paced reflection time) courses can help provide clarity and guidance.
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For women who are seeking to dive deeper into her faith through community and mentorship, the Blessed is She community offers various products and online communities to propel women into a vibrant faith life rooted in Scripture.
A 6-week Mentorship Opportunity >> The Well Abide: A Virtual Membership Experience
For the adventurous spirit: Tsh Oxenreider offers Guided Pilgrimages around the world. Up next is “Liturgical Living Along the Rhine River” – sounds like a blast!
To inspire greater devotion through study, reading & reflection:
For the avid readers and book-lovers on your list! A few books that can accompany their prayer life.
For men and women who long to be more rooted in the Word of God and the teachings of the Catholic Church, as well as those who are following along with Fr. Mike Schmitz’s The Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year Podcasts! The Great Adventure Bible takes you through salvation history from Genesis to Revelation and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Notetaking Edition allows you to jot down your own thoughts and reflections as you study.
To guide women through a thoughtful and Spirit-filled Advent season, the Blessed is She Advent Devotional or the Shadow & Light Devotional by Tsh Oxenreider (great for lovers of sacred art and music!) to can help focus their hearts on Jesus.
This highly-rated Advent Devotional for families can guide parents to recapture the sacredness of the Advent season: Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas. Ann Voskamp also created a host of free resources, including downloadable ornaments and colouring sheets here.
For devotees of the Little Flower, the St. Therese Bundle engages the senses while reflecting on the life of this world-changing saint.
To foster sacramental and liturgical living in the home:
Living out the Sacraments should be part of our day-to-day lives – these items can help!
To accompany Catholic adults and help increase their focus and attention during Mass, the Every Sacred Sunday Mass Journal contains all the readings for Mass and makes space for reflection.
To help Catholic parents engage the hearts and minds of young kids during the Mass, the Every Sacred Family Digital Download includes family discussions for Sundays and prayers throughout the Liturgical Year (Year C in 2024-2025).
For Catholic families who want to foster liturgical living in their home, Catholic All Year, Habits for a Sacred Home and Theology of Home IV may be good places to start.
For a tactile experience of spirituality and tradition in the home or the office:
A few items that we can keep on display as a touchpoint in our physical spaces to lift our eyes to Jesus throughout the day.
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For Catholic families who practice the tradition of lighting Advent candles, check out these beautifully crafted wreaths:
Cradle to cross wreath: (They’ve also written Advent/Lent devotional for free - and this wreath can be used during various times in the year)
For a Marian-inspired gifts for women, check out the Stella Maris Guadalupe Candle and the Stella Maris Candles
For godchildren or nieces and nephews who are far away, you can mail A Jesse Tree Sticker Sheet!
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To guide Catholic families through the genealogy of Jesus and the story of Salvation through the Jesse Tree, these resources may help:
To encounter the person of Jesus through play and imagination:
For the littles – toys, books, and other items that foster an encounter with the sacred through play and imagination.
For princess-loving little girls, the Princesses of Heaven book focuses on the lives of female saints, illustrated by a Catholic artist who has worked with Disney – a “Princess of Heaven” locket is also available, to keep the saints close to their heart!
For animal lovers: Saintly Creatures: 14 Tales of Animals and Their Saintly Companions
To teach kids about the Saints and the Sacraments in a fun way – using flashlights! – check out: the Light of the Saints and Light of the Sacraments.
To help kids engage with the stories of Scripture, the Jesus Storybook Bible has created a free Advent guide to direct the hearts and minds of little souls towards their Saviour.
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To help little kids engage with the Mass in a tactile way, play Mass kits can help them learn more about the materials used for Mass and engage their imagination towards the Sacraments.