1. Hand-painted dishes (4), $24: It’s always fun to give something that’s not necessary, but brings pure delight. A set of hand-painted artisan dishes adds joy to all the little corners of their home and office. 

2. Matches cloche with striker, $39: A great strategy for gifts is to make the utilitarian more lovely—this smoked glass cloche is filled with decorative matches for a glorious marriage of form and function. Plus, everyone’s mantle or coffee table looks infinitely cooler with a cloche. 

3. Custom art: Commission me to create an original piece of their patron saint, wedding church, school, first home, or other significant place.

4. Checkered porcelain cup set (4), $23: Cheerful, artsy cups to brighten up their home. This set includes two six-ounce cups and two four-ounce cups that are more versatile than you might expect: they can hold coffee, tea, espresso, matcha, wine, and bourbon, or flowers, toothbrushes, and small utensils. 

5. Paper incense (48 pieces), $14: An alternative to candles and diffusers that’s dramatic, moody, and efficient at eliminating odors and adding delicate fragrance that freshens the air. The small, vintage-style tin travels anywhere and contains everything they need. Choose from eight scents like cedarwood-hinoki, forest, or woody peach. 

6. Nativity set, $108: This beautiful, minimalist nativity set is not just a gift; it will become a cherished tradition and fits with any aesthetic. (It’s also one of my favorite gifts to give for weddings and showers.) You can also choose other sets or collect individual pieces here. Here’s a 13-piece mini minimalist version for $15.

7. Catholic Geaux Bag, $40: Give them this portable collection of essential sacramentals to take wherever they roam and roost. This set comes from our dear friends' non-profit and includes essentials like a crucifix, holy water, blessed salt, a brown scapular, and more.

8. French press, $55: This press will be a gift they’re still hanging onto 20 years later: it makes excellent coffee, keeps it hot for hours, and is impeccably constructed (we have two). You could pair it with some excellent coffee beans from Mystic Monk, French Truck, or Seven Weeks.

9. The Fishwife Cookbook: Delightful Tinned Fish Recipes for Every Occasion (hardcover), $23: A colorful, whimsical beauty packed with easy recipes for canned tuna, smoked salmon, sardines, and all their tinned cousins. They’ll have a blast flipping through gorgeous illustrations and planning what to try first: Tinned Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs, Sardine Fritto Misto with Charred Lemon and Aioli, or Fisherman’s Stew with Salmon, Mussels, and Cockles?

10. Cleancult cleaning products: We love, love, love these hardworking, amazing-smelling, non-toxic household products. Round up laundry detergent (liquid or ultra-convenient sheets), dish soap, and dishwasher tabs to give the gift of upgrading chores. 

11. Toups and Company organic skincare products: I can’t live without this frankincense tallow balm. It’s the single organic, nontoxic moisturizer in the entire world that has worked for my face. I love it and could go on and on. A teeny bit goes a long way. My jar lasts about two months with twice daily use. From this small-batch, small business, I also love, use daily, and subscribe to the tinted lip balm and the mineral makeup (a jar lasts me a few months). You can also give gift sets and sample sets. They run great sales during the holidays, plus you can get 10% off everything with my link.

12. Set of reusable bags (10), $22: If you’re skeptical about bags as a gift, let me assure you how often they’ll reach for these, and how much more pleasant these colorful, well-made bags are to use than old plastic grocery bags. It’s the gift of a simple upgrade. 

13. Ceramic olive oil cruet, $23: Pretty much every kitchen uses olive oil; give them a pretty cruet that will add a little beauty to the ordinary. You can pair with a bottle of high-quality olive oil. 

14. Popcorn maker, $18: We have used and loved this silicone popcorn maker for more than ten years. It pops perfect fluffy pieces without oil in your microwave. When you’re done, swish it clean and collapse it for space-saving storage. We even bring it on vacation! Pair with some upgraded Amish popcorn kernels.

15. Candle warmer, $20: This pretty piece uses heat instead of fire to diffuse fragrance from candles. Place any candle on its tray and enjoy the fragrance without the soot and risk of an open flame. If you want to pair this with a great candle, I can’t rave enough about our favorite Corda Candles.

16. Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (hardcover), $21: This handsome book collects dozens of blessings from the USCCB for every household occasion: moving into a new home, welcoming a new baby, caring for sick family members, and even blessing a new vehicle. 

17. Amazon Prime subscription: This annual subscription is the gift that keeps giving! Members have access to seemingly infinite video and music streaming options, countless free Kindle books, fast and free shipping, and other special offers. There are also special rates for young adults and students.

A note about Amazon

These links connect mostly to products sold on Amazon. This is not the only place you can buy most of these items, but I set it up this way because of Amazon's ubiquity (everyone I know already has a Prime account). You can also try finding the items you like at other retailers, local shops, or even use these ideas as a springboard to create gifts.

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Contact me. I am a Catholic author, artist, speaker, pilgrimage leader, and travel concierge.

I'd love to collaborate with you on your next retreat, day of reflection, pilgrimage, trip, or event.

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