Looking to make your gift-giving a little more spiritual this year? The editors at Busted Halo are here to help. We’ve searched high and low for the most fun and creative faith-inspired gifts of the season (and may have added a few to cart ourselves in the meantime!). If you’re looking for a little inspiration for what to put under the tree, read on for our favorite holiday gift ideas with a Catholic twist. For even more inspiration, check out our guides from 2022, 2021, and 2020!
For the whole family
Matching family jammies have been all the rage for the past few years. If you’ve got kiddos, these adorable Nativity Christmas Pajamas from Be a Heart are perfect for everyone in the family! Know someone who always seeks to find grace in the everyday? Consider gifting this elegant and aesthetically pleasing prayer card bundle from Abundance of Grace prints to offer prayerful support. And, for an activity that the whole family can participate in (even the littles), make participating in Samaritan’s Purse a group activity – Their annual Operation Christmas Child invites you to purchase small toys and hygienic items, wrap them in a shoebox, and write a family letter to a child in need. This is a fun and rewarding way to give back this season and teach your children the true meaning of Christmas!
For the fashion-forward
Don’t miss these fun Catholic Forge men’s shirts for the guys in your life, or consider this understated Bread of Life men’s tie, perfect to wear to Sunday Mass. Perhaps your mother, daughter, or wife would like an elegant Marian prayer necklace. This Mary’s Garden Gold Rose Headband is a unique addition to any fashionista’s closet, and this Biblically-inspired charms from Holly Lane Christian Jewelry, serve as a fantastic conversation starters for anyone desiring to wear a meaningful piece of jewelry with creative ties to the faith. For those looking to learn more about the connection between faith and fashion, pick up Lillian Fallon’s “Theology of Style: Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You.”
For those creating sacred spaces at home
Home for the holidays? Christmastime is the perfect time to beautify your living space and add a little prayerful touch while you’re at it. Do you know someone who has a spiritual nook in their house? This unique Blue Murano Glass Damask Crucifix will stand out in any room, and you might consider gifting some inspired peel-and-stick wallpaper from The Little Rose Shop to set the scene (without damaging walls.) This Sacred Heart Rosary Hanger could make a great addition to any prayer space, and your friends could put it right to use with this special set of Rosary beads with holy soil from Jerusalem. For the person whose home always smells great, invite them to spritz some of this heavenly scented Frankincense & Myrrh Aromatherapy spray. And if your friends and family are looking for a new favorite candle to light during prayer time, don’t miss out on this hand-poured Chrism candle that will make any space feel (and smell) cozy and peaceful. Finally, remind guests of the Real Presence of Jesus in their homes with these beautiful Eucharist coasters from Our Holy Home.
For the young saints-in-the-making
Christmas morning is one of the most magical moments for kids, so why not make it extra special with these adorable Shining Light Dolls? These beautifully designed dolls teach your kids about the best role models out there: the saints! And don’t miss this fun Jesus & St. Peter Walk on Water Wooden Wave Stacker Toy that teaches your little ones about the famous Biblical story of Jesus walking on water. Wee Believers is another Catholic vendor offering numerous options of toys to choose from, such as cuddly stuffed animals and a Mass magnet play set. These shirts from Blessed Friends Forever let your little one dress up as a saint (and hopefully channel some saintly behavior), and this Catholic paint-by-number sticker pack from Catholic Family Crate is perfect for the artsy kiddos in your life looking to unleash their creative side.
For the adventurer
For those in your life with an adventurous spirit, these fun experiences that incorporate your faith make the perfect gifts! From planning a day trip to a U.S.-based Catholic pilgrimage site by you (that doesn’t break the bank) to trying out this Catholic travel company that offers pilgrimages around the world, the gift of an experience like these will last a lifetime. And last but not least, be sure to get one of these St. Christopher medals for protection from the patron saint of travelers. You can’t go wrong stuffing one of these special tokens in your traveler’s stocking, offering encouragement and prayers for a safe journey wherever they may go exploring.
For the foodies
For the friends in your life who are always thinking about their next snack, you can’t go wrong with a foodie-inspired gift! This homemade chocolate made by the Trappistine Nuns of Wrentham, MA is the perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth. For the home baker, Catholic cookie cutters will be a fun and creative gift, allowing them to make their next batch of Christmas cookies in the shape of a cross, Mary, or the nativity. The fun, informative, and hands-on recipe book Dining with the Saints is perfect for anyone looking to cook on a cold winter’s day, all while being inspired by liturgically aligned meals and international flavors. Those who love to host will enjoy setting their holiday tables with these Catholic Christmas crackers. And last but not least, this apron and set of Daily bread tea towels from Annunciation designs are the perfect elegantly minimalistic additions to the amateur cook’s kitchen.
For those who want to give back
For your loved ones who don’t want more “stuff,” consider donating on their behalf to an organization that promotes peace in the Holy Land, such as Catholic Relief Services, Pro Terra Sancta, and Franciscan Monastery.
For the most merry
Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Spread some holiday cheer with this Nuns Having Fun 2024 calendar! For those students out there, these cute, faith-themed computer stickers make for a great stocking stuffer that will be sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
For the bookworm
For the one who’s always curled up with a good book, Busted Halo’s very own “Mass Class: Your Questions Answered” by Father Dave Dwyer is a great way to learn of the ins and outs of the Mass. Pick up “Living the Seasons” by Be a Heart owner Erica Tighe Campbell, which can help you intentionally prioritize your faith in family life throughout the year. New moms will appreciate Jessica Mannen Kimmet’s “Groaning in Labor, Growing in Hope: Scripture Reflections for the Hard Days of Early Motherhood.”
To wrap everything up…
We’ve reached the end of this year’s Catholic gift guide, but it wouldn’t be complete without some creative religious wrapping paper to beautify these gifts before placing them under the tree. Get inspired by this gorgeous Nativity gift wrap from Amy Heitman, which incorporates the true reason for the season down to the very last detail.
From all of us here at Busted Halo, we hope you have a Merry Christmas with your loved ones!