Promoting the Sacred – A Catholic Gift Guide

By Amanda MacMurtie, Michaela Barta + Kate Capato

Gift-giving has the opportunity to communicate love and belonging. When we give of ourselves with our time, energy, or resources, and unite our hearts to the Lord, the gifts become so much more than just effort and material. Gifts can be a symbol (and often tangible expression) of our love and ultimately, an imitation of Christ’s total gift of self. First, in taking on our humanity, then in His sacrifice on the Cross, and finally, His gift of self in the Eucharist.

We’ve heard it said that gifts send a message; but what do we want to say?

What if a Christmas gift could say, “I see you – in your calling, in your state in life, in who you are becoming.”

This gift guide is inspired by this thought and provides inspiration and ideas to affirm the dignity and uniqueness of each person on your list.

For Someone Desiring to Build Their Own Domestic Church

Theology of Home book by Carrie Gress, Noelle Merring, Megan Schrieber. Fueled by the motto “finding the eternal in the everyday”, this bestseller is quickly becoming a go-to resource in the Catholic world as it inspires countless women to transform their approach to the words: “home” and “homemaker.”

The Catholic Table: Finding Joy Where Faith and Food Meet book by Emily Stimpson Chapman

Kitchen Tea Towels – So many lovely tea towels are as much works of art as they are practical. Little Things Studio’s holiday collection features hand-lettered Christmas hymns. For all-year round designs with subtle inspiration from Mother Teresa or Mama Mary, check out Bright Array Studio.

Vintage Sacred Heart Medallion by House of Joppa is a favorite piece of wall decor found in more & more Catholic homes.

The Vatican Cookbook & Apron Gift Set – this gift set is perfect for culinary enthusiasts. With photos, historical anecdotes, and recipes both traditional and modern, it is more than just a recipe book. The set comes with a Swiss Guard-themed apron to set a festive tone.

Regina Sanctorum Liturgical Candles – stunning candles that orient us to the divinity of Christ within our ordinary lives. Use the code: CHRISTMAS15 to get a 15% discount!

For Someone Wanting to Create a Prayer Space

Draw your attention the Lord throughout the day by creating a prayer space (or several) within your home. The simple act of passing by the space can catch your eye and re-orient your mind to God. And not only does it inspire the husband and wife in the home, it can also draw guests to pause and think and kids to learn and imitate.

For Priests, Religious & Caregivers

Candles – Lighting a gifted candle can be a wonderful reminder of the giver, serving to uplift the heart as it awakens the senses. CORDA Candles thoughtfully integrate scents and meaning in their handcrafted candles. With such a wide range of saints and scents to choose from, consider a gift card to ensure the perfect match. 

“After God, The Priest is Everything” Card by Pieta Paperie. This stunning card is a great opportunity to affirm the priests in your life. Consider requesting a mass to be said for them — they need it, too!

Tea – A hot cup of tea can symbolize rest and retreat, or the invitation to sit across from someone and be in their presence. Sacred Heart Tea provides a variety of high-quality tea inspired by the lives of the saints.

Theology of the Body Retreat at the TOB Institute to give them time to rest fully in the Lord that they may be restored after all their hard work.

Beautiful Art – To those who enrich the Church with the gift of their religious vocations, consider a gift that provides encouragement, beautifies a space, and even draws the viewer into a sacred moment with the Divine.

Check out Kate’s Sacred Art Porcelain Tiles or snag a print of one of her original paintings. Here are some of Kate’s works that particularly embody the gift of self:

For Creatives – To Promote the Creation of Sacred Works

You could get them a million things, but our list focuses on not only artistic expression but cultivating the sacred within the artistic vocation. 

• For musicians: Catholic Music Initiative’s Sheet Music or Gregorian Academy’s Chant Course
• For filmmakers: How To Make Great Characters for Your Story
• For photographers: Catholic Photo Retreat
• For painters, bakers, sculptors or anyone who may get messy: Divine Beauty Apron
• For writers: Adoration Leatherette or Personalized Saint Journal
• For dancers: SoulCore engages both body and soul in the sacred experience of the rosary. The gift of an annual SoulCore Membership could bless the mover in your life!
• For all artists: Art Retreats on Enders Island in Mystic, CT

Books for all creatives

For the Men in Your Life

Consecration to St. Joseph book by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC is becoming another staple in Catholic homes!

Holy Face Combat Chaplet was inspired by Sr. Mary of St. Peter, a Holy Carmelite Nun of Tours, France, who revealed a devotion by our Lord on November 15, 1843.

Monk Manual 90-Day Planner – A daily system inspired by monks and designed for the modern Catholic who wants to live an intentional, fruitful life.

TOB Course – The TOB Institute offers transformational courses in person and virtually based on St. John Paul II’s teachings of the Theology of the Body.

For the Ladies in Your Life

Here are a few curated ideas that exude beauty and excellence to help make the ladies in your life feel seen and loved. 

Fruit of Her Womb by Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB, is a fresh and new 33 days of Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through through a loving relationship with Mary, entrusting ourselves to her Womb where she nurtures and forms us into her Son.

Lily Music Bundle – includes Annunciation-inspired print by Kate Capato + original song “The Lily” from her husband Pawel’s album. Use discount code Music10 for 10% off your visio divina bundle!

Adoro Te Scarf by Litany NYC crafted using 100% silk charmeuse. Inspired by the St. Thomas Aquinas quote, “Bring the tender tale true of the Pelican; Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what Thy bosom ran blood whereof a single drop has power to win all the world forgiveness of its world of sin.”

Marian Consecration Ring by West Coast Catholic can keep your consecration to Jesus through Mary top of mind.

Blessed Is She Retreat – give the gift of an experience! The BIS 2025 Retreat theme is “New.”

Theology of Style book by Lillian Fallon. Learn how to align your personal style by embracing your divinely-bestowed identity and glorifying God in the process.

“A Moment in Prayer” Fine Art Ornaments by Kate Capato. This painting-based ornament depicts the communion of saints outside of time.

Magnificat Veils offer a myriad of themed veils.

Gifts are an expression of our love, and they are a way that God can speak love and healing into the hearts of those who receive our gifts. Here are some more ideas that may prompt you to consider how you can walk alongside your friends and families through gifts of practicality and support.

For Friends in Seasons of Transition or in Need of Support

Mass Offering – Having a mass said for a loved one is possibly the greatest gift you can give. After you request a mass, you could mail them a mass card from Pieta Paperie.

Art – “The One Who Gave Myrrh” Print + Ornament – Myrrh originates from a small, thorny tree species found in several African countries. It’s used for medicinal purposes, burial preparations, and healing and symbolizes suffering. Not only did this act as a pre-figuring to Christ’s passion and death, but it was an offering of the wiseman’s sufferings. 

Writing can be a powerful avenue to pray, gain clarity, and explore new ideas. Kate has a very TOB-focused rendition of the Last Supper Journal or this simple, spiral bound notebook features the reminder “Joy Comes in the Morning.” 

Personalized Notes with Undoer of Knots Notecards – What better way to build relationships and find support in your community than writing personalized notes? This pack of 10 note cards feature Kate’s original painting about entrusting Our Lady with all sources of suffering and confusion and invoking her intercession. 

Retreat – John Paul II Healing Center – in-person retreats, online courses & resources. “The mission of the Church is the transformation and healing of the world – to bring the whole world to Jesus, and we can’t do that unless we, ourselves, are first healed.”

Books

The Mindful Catholic by Dr. Gregory Bottaro. Instead of separating faith from day-to-day life, Catholic mindfulness helps bridge the gap, so we can experience the felt sense of safety and peace God intends us to have every day.

Nursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss in the Lives of Saints and Today’s Parents by Patrick O’Hearn and Cassie Everts. This book becomes a companion to those in the midst of grief, searching for meaning after loss, and anywhere on their healing journey.

For the Children in Your Life

Every child is worthy of receiving the truth of our faith in a way that cultivates their curiosity, honors their developmental pacing, and connects them to the important adults in their lives. There are many wonderful companies creating products to engage and delight – here are a few that stand out!

Books

A is for Angel: The Alphabet in Sacred Art by Adrienne Koegler and Katie Koegler

Light of the Sacraments by Cory Heimann

The Catholic Kids’ Cookbook by Haley Stewart and Clare Sheaf

How To Draw All The Things for Kids by Alli Koch 

Catholic Mass Quiet Book by The Little Rose Shop

Play

Wooden Mass Kit – by Shining Light Dolls

Mary on the Mantel (an alternative to Elf on a Shelf) – by Be A Heart Design

Gather & Pray Wooden Collection – Toys and Puzzles

Paint Your Own Statue Ceramic Kits – by Be A Heart Design

Saint Socks – by Sock Religious

For College Students + Young Adults

We all want to encourage the faith life of the tweens, teens, and college kids in our lives, and it’s easier than you think. Tuning into style trends is a great place to start – there are some lovely companies who create classy and clever products like stickers and accessories. Don’t be afraid to  give them something they’ll grow into, like your favorite book or a meaningful item of jewelry!

Aching for Greatness book by Tanner Kalina. This book will inspire one to set out on the adventure that only a deep, personal relationship with God can offer.

Humans of Heaven book by January Jane Shop is unlike any saint book you’ve encountered! It is intentionally designed to feel like an heirloom-style family photo album.

Holy Water Spritzer by West Coast Catholic (pictured right)

“Just Pray” Guided Prayer Journal by Just Love Prints

“Prayer for Students” Art by Santa Clara Design

Sacred Heart Rosary by West Coast Catholic

SEEK Conference Tickets by FOCUS Ministries – January 1 -5, 2025. Give the gift of an experience!

For Newly Married Couples

Fulton Sheen says it best, “it takes three to get married – you, your spouse and God.” Encourage newly married couples to further embrace the sacramentality of their covenant this Christmas! 

Framed Giclee Prints by Kate Capato will adorn your home with stunning, sacred art.

“A Quiet Moment” by Timothy Schmalz depicts the Holy Family portrayed in perfect harmony, love and peace.

Gold Foil Holy Family Prints by Kate Capato are limited edition 5x7s — snag one while they last!

St. Benedict Cross Holy Water Font by Rosary House Boutique is made of resin with a stone finish.

The Passion of the Christ Crucifix by Gene Home Art will continually remind the viewer of the reality of Christ’s suffering love for us.

Marriage Programs and Retreats – JPII Foundation’s Together in Holiness + Paradisus Dei’s “The Choice Wine” are leading the charge for excellence in marriage ministry.

For Your Friend Discovering or Rediscovering the Faith

Beautiful Art

Where words fail, beauty moves hearts. Giving the gift of sacred art to a  friend  who is searching can provide encouragement and beauty, but also an opportunity for deeper conversation and connection in your relationship.

Here is an original artwork that evokes the power of relationship:

The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You Into the Heart of God – book by Fr. Mark Mary Ames, CFR, beautifully accompanies Kate’s “Coming Home” painting. He commissioned the painting!

Mass Journal by Every Sacred Sunday. ESS creates beautiful, durable journals to accompany you to Holy Mass every Sunday and Solemnity of the Liturgical Year. Specifically designed to prepare hearts and minds, this hardcover journal contains full readings, Mass responses, and space for notes with guided prompts.

Encounter Ministries Retreat – this ministry forms, teaches, equips and activates disciples of Jesus Christ through the power of the Gospel by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Word on Fire Bible– this special version of the Bible opens God’s Word into an experience of beauty and wisdom. Full-color photos of religious art and knowledgeable commentary from Church Fathers and modern experts invite readers into the mystery and radical invitation of Jesus Christ.

We pray these gifts inspire you to show up for loved ones in your life however you might feel called. Remember, the Lord can multiply abundance out of anything if it’s offered with a giving heart.