I’ve always been one to complete my Christmas shopping early. I keep a list on the Notes app of my phone with gift ideas for all my various family members, and I update the note throughout the year, anytime inspiration strikes. At times, ideas come in the form of someone offhandedly mentioning an item that interested them (my sister telling me that she’d like to add more dangly earrings to her jewelry box). In other instances, inspiration comes through my own experience (my favorite kitchen gadget this year was my new grape cutter – don’t judge! –  so all my siblings with babies are getting one this Christmas). And still other times, my shopping is informed by curated lists: round ups in magazines, “loving lately” lists in newsletters, and gift guides, like in this post.

Though I hold off on holiday decorating, music playing, baking, and general merry-making until Advent and the days surrounding Christmas, I usually have my ducks in a row for gift giving by early December, which means that I have my plans for purchasing sorted out by November. It’s with that in mind that I’m pulling together this Catholic Christmas Gift Guide early. Whether your gift coordinating is done by All Saints Day or you are more of a fourth Sunday of Advent kind of shopper, I want this list to be helpful and available to you.

For Her

Tumbler

Who couldn’t use a little more hydration in their life? I have a 40oz, stainless steel cup like this one, and I drag it everywhere with me. If I had a second, I’d keep one at work. I love that this particular cup has a quote inspired by Mother Teresa on it, making this item more than a drinking vessel. It’s a reminder to pray and a potential conversation starter about faith as well.

Fiat Plaque 

This small plaque, carved from solid wood and trimmed with gold, would blend in seamlessly with any style of home decor. Depicting a serene Mother Mary, the plaque invites us to consider the peaceful acceptance with which she uttered her “Yes” to God.

Guadalupe Table Runner

Table linens are the sorts of things that I could never get enough of – the designs and colors are endless, and different patterns can serve all sorts of different seasons and themes – but I can’t quite justify buying more for myself, because, well, I already have plenty. This leads to them making the perfect gift, in my opinion. “Something she wants but wouldn’t buy for herself.”

For Him

Gratitude Journal

This journal integrates the contemplative practice of the examen into its daily pages, inviting the journal writer to reflect on how God works throughout their day in both the morning and the evening. Making a practice like the examen a twice daily habit will help anyone to stay more focused on gratitude, grace, and the presence of God within their life.

St. Joseph the Worker Statue

Statues serve to both add beauty to a home, office or garden and to call our minds towards something or someone worth dwelling on. Among other things, St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers and working people. This statue would make a great gift for a man in your life whose fatherhood and/or identity as a worker is strong.

For Kids

Good Shepherd Wooden Puzzle

This wooden Good Shepherd puzzle is durable and darling. The puzzle pieces are sturdy and extra thick, so they can stand up on their own and serve as play figurines as well as puzzle pieces. Everything about the design, from the box it comes in, to poplar wood it is made from, to the color scheme, is tasteful: it’s a gift that both kids and their parents will appreciate.

Our Lady of Fatima Quilt

The quality and the beauty of this quilt are equally matched. The quilt consists of eight muslin layers, with one outer side depicting the three shepherd children receiving the apparition of Our Lady, and stripes covering the other outer side. This blanket would make a lovely gift for a baby, a toddler, or a school aged child.

Mini Notepad 

This Slow Down and Notice God mini notepad would make a great stocking stuffer. With its thoughtful cover, my mind of course goes to all the ways it could be used as a faith formation tool. I’d love suggesting to my young children that they fill it with pictures of places where they see God, and it would work well as a mini journal for older children to write down the same things.