Christmas Gift Ideas

I really enjoy giving gifts. I love to spend time thinking about my loved ones, how they spend their days, what they enjoy and what they might need. I love recognizing what makes them special. I know many people, however, feel weighted down with the chore of choosing gifts, especially when they truly want to express their love.  

As Christmas approaches and we yearn to prepare for the coming of our Lord, buying gifts can indeed become an unfortunate distraction. Because of this, I’d like to make some suggestions that can glorify the season rather than detract from its true meaning. Here is a short list of simple ways to let Christ shine.  

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, of course, is the greatest form of prayer and can be offered for the living or deceased, for the sick or well. This often-overlooked gift possibility is extremely powerful and caring. Plus, it supports the Church.  

Holy water can be given in combination with a variety of written blessings for home and family.  I find that a modest plastic bottle is great not only for refilling but also for travel and daily use.  While new homeowners and parents might especially appreciate this, it is a genuine and heartfelt gift for anyone.

Prayer cards can be really special.  Perhaps a prayer to Our Lady under one of her titles, a relevant Patron Saint, or a unique devotion (e.g., The Holy Face or Divine Mercy) would be a fitting gift. You can even add this to another gift. You never know when that card will show up at just the right time.      

I have always been enthusiastic about giving “coupons” for spending time together, things like going for beignets or bike rides. Maybe a coupon for making a local pilgrimage would be fun.  This year, I had the idea of giving coupons for novenas; just send me a text when you need to “call it in” and I will make a novena for any intention you like.   

Hopefully these thoughts have inspired some faith-filled gift ideas of your own. After you make your list of recipients, you might like to spend some time in prayer, even in Adoration, and ask Our Lord how you can do his will.  Pray that your gifts touch their lives just as he desires.  May God bless you in your generosity of heart.  

Charla Misse, a native of New Orleans, supports various charitable organizations, sits on the finance committee for St. Dominic Church and is a Boy Scouts of America den leader and religious emblems coordinator. She loves to laugh with her family, bake for her loved ones, exercise outdoors, visit the adoration chapel and pick her son up from school.