Our Sunday Visitor’s annual Spring gift guide offers a variety of suggestions for the most unique and current gift ideas for Easter and the sacraments, as well as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Considering this is the Year of St. Joseph, the guide includes St. Joseph related gifts, including a sterling silver necklace, socks and a T-shirt. There’s also a beautifully illustrated book about the good thief, baby shoes, colorful face masks and much more.
Easter
OSV “Story Cards”
From Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Greenhouse Collective, these saint “Story Cards” are a puzzle, a story and a springboard for learning about the saints all in one. Each packet includes eye-catching illustrated cards that tell an event in the saint’s life. They also offer questions, suggested Biblical readings, conversation-starting questions and ways to put faith in action. When placed in the right order, the 18 flashcard-sized pieces form a picture of the saint’s life. Four saints are featured in different sets, including Pope St. John Paul II, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Calcutta. Each set comes in a box to store them.
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“The Thief Who Stole Heaven” by Raymond Arroyo tells the story of the good thief — thought by some to be named Dismas. Arroyo writes that while the apostles said nothing, “it was Dismas, a murderer and a thief, who understood and affirmed the divinity of Christ two days before the rest of the world caught on.” With colorful illustrations by Randy Gallegos and a compelling narrative, “The Thief Who Stole Heaven” tells an exciting and thought-provoking story new to many.
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Wooden saint dolls
Perfect for Easter baskets, these handmade wooden saint dolls from Saintly Heart feature child-pleasing images of the saints screen-printed on birch wood and sealed with a nontoxic sealant. Suitable for ages 3 and older. The wooden dolls stand at 3″ x 1.25″ x 0.5″, and each comes with a prayer card. Choose from single dolls such as St. Joseph or Our Lady of Guadalupe or sets of three dolls such as Sts. Padre Pio, Mother Teresa and St. Blaise.
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Paschal candle kit
Get ready for Easter with this Paschal candle kit from Holy Heroes. The kit contains beeswax sheets, wick rhinestone “nails,” gold cord, decals and an explanation of the candle’s symbolism. It’s interesting to note that every part of the candle is symbolic; for example, the Paschal candle’s wax represents Christ’s flesh and the wick represents his soul.
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Religious-themed face masks
Add something pretty and useful to your children’s Easter baskets. These colorful Our Lady of Guadalupe and San Juan Diego face masks from Joyful Catholic Gifts are one-size-fits-all. They’re made of reusable polyester microfiber with nose wire and adjustable ear loops.
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St. Joseph necklace
Pope Francis declared 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph. Known as the “Terror of Demons,” St. Joseph is the patron saint of the universal Church, workers, fathers, the unborn, immigrants, travelers and a happy death. Commemorate the year with an Easter gift of this handmade St. Joseph sterling silver medallion that comes with a delicate chain.
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Baptism
Emmaus crib shoes
Named after Emmaus — where Christ revealed himself to the apostles after his resurrection — these crib shoes make a nice gift for a baby boy or girl. The booties are made of genuine leather and feature the Christian symbol for Christ, the “Chi-Rho,” along with the “alpha and omega” Greek letters, signifying that Christ is “the beginning and the end.” They come in pink or yellow.
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Baby teething rosary
A perfect baptism gift, this handmade decade rosary teething ring comes in various colors, including pink, blue, mint green and more. The beads are safe for babies to chew on because they are derived from FDA-approved food-grade silicone. The artisan cross is cut from maple wood, sanded smooth and finished with a baby-safe and food-grade mineral oil/beeswax blend.
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First Communion
Saints pennants
An inexpensive but memorable gift, these 8″ x 18″ pennants with original designs by Magnetic Catholic and sold by Betty Jo Sews on Etsy feature saints’ names backed with felt. Choose from Faustina, Cecilia, Maria Goretti, Thérèse of Lisieux, Joan of Arc, Gianna Molla, Lucy, Teresa of Avila, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Felicity, Perpetua, Maximilian Kolbe, Peter, Michael the Archangel, Padre Pio and others.
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Our Lady of Kibeho purse and scrunchy
Introduce young girls and teens to Our Lady of Kibeho with this pretty handmade pouch purse and hair scrunchy. A Vatican approved Marian apparition, Our Lady of Kibeho, appeared to three Rwandan children during the years of 1981 and 1989. The Blessed Mother called on not just the people of Africa but the whole world to recite the Rosary daily. In addition, she asked that we pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin to help root out sin. Our Lady of Kibeho is the only Marian apparition site approved by the Catholic Church on the continent of Africa.
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“Friends Again”
Little siblings Henry and Emma are best friends until Emma accidentally steps on Henry’s toy airplane. “Friends Again” by Karine-Marie Amiot and illustrated by Violaine Costa tells how forgiveness feels much better than stewing in anger. The message will resonate with both children and adults, not to mention how much they will enjoy Costa’s fresh and whimsical artwork.
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Confirmation
Sterling silver sacred heart earrings
These vintage-style earrings, inspired by a Sacred Heart of Jesus holy medal, make a lasting gift for a young woman making her confirmation.
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Sacred Heart chaplet
Handmade in California, this Sacred Heart of Jesus chaplet from Beach Cities Rosaries has an antique look. The chaplet features crimson-colored Hail Mary beads and greenish-blue oval-shaped Our Father beads framed with etched gold-plated brass bead caps. The 1.5″ crucifix and two-sided holy medal — featuring a 0.75″ Sacred Heart of Jesus on one side and the Blessed Mother on the flip side — is made of solid bronze. The chaplet comes in a white box tied with a satin ribbon. A polishing cloth is also included.
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Temporary Scripture tattoo
Big kids and teens will like these cool-looking temporary Scripture tattoos. The box of 10 includes verses from Corinthians, Colossians, Romans, John, Peter and Matthew. There’s also a memorable verse from Ephesians 1:4: “I am chosen — for he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
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Holy Orders and RCIA
“Offer It Up” mug
Every Catholic will want this cheeky “Off It Up” mug — a reminder that our sufferings may be joined with Christ’s. Hand-lettered by artist Rose Harrington, the 4.5″ cup is hand-glazed and decaled at a small pottery factory in Ohio.
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“What Christ Suffered: A Doctor’s Journey Through the Passion”
A perfect gift for a priest, “What Christ Suffered: A Doctor’s Journey Through the Passion” by Thomas W. McGovern, MD, offers an updated study — considering advances in science — of Christ’s suffering during his passion and death. Dr. McGovern reveals new findings of what happened to our Savior, and he corrects misinformation. He utilizes diagrams and photos, archeology, medical reenactments, case reports, ancient literature and Scripture to drive home his points. Dr. McGovern also reflects on Our Lord’s mental suffering, and he addresses the meaning and purpose of suffering for us. In addition to Christ’s sufferings, the book offers a parallel look at what St. Pope John Paul II suffered.
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Mother’s Day
Rosary cards
From NovenaCards.com, these stunning Rosary Cards feature an original watercolor design of a bouquet of delicate, pink ranunculus flowers wrapped with a rosary. The interior of the card has a Marian “M” with roses and a quote from Pope St. John Paul II: “To pray the Rosary is to hand over our burdens to the merciful hearts of Christ and his Mother.” There’s also a space to write your name and the date you prayed the Rosary. The back of the card includes information and the history of the Rosary.
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“In Caelo Et In Terra: 365 Days with the Saints”
“The lives of the blessed and saints are proof that God’s grace is real,” write the Daughters of St. Paul in their new book “In Caelo Et In Terra: 365 Days with the Saints.” Some 30 Pauline sisters wrote, designed, illustrated and edited this treasurable book featuring a saint for each day of the year. Along with the saint’s bio is a reflection and a prayer surrounded by striking black and white intaglio artwork. The book — whose title means “In the sky and on the ground” — has a yellow ribbon for marking your place.
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Sacred and Immaculate Heart print
From Santa Clara Designs are these custom designed art prints of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These beautiful prints of Jesus and Mary surrounded by intricate vines come in blue or black archival inks printed on heavy matte paper with a bright white finish.
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Virgin of the Lilies necklace
This Virgin of the Lilies necklace features a brass image of Our Lady holding the infant Jesus surrounded by 12 fleur de lis. What makes the pendant particularly stunning is its hand-poured dark blue enamel, which hangs from a 14-kt gold-filled satellite chain.
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Father’s Day
Bread of Life tie
For the dad who likes remarkable ties, there’s the Bread of Life tie depicting Eucharistic symbolism designed by Abigail Halpin. The poly-twill fabric tie comes in shades of blue.
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“Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II”
In “Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II,” author Gretchen R. Crowe writes, “Throughout his papacy, Pope John Paul II constantly reminded the faithful that it is through Mary and the Rosary that one is better able to know Jesus Christ.” Her book guides one through praying the mysteries of the Rosary with John Paul II with a story of how he lived out the fruits of the Rosary, an excerpt from one of his homilies and a Scripture passage for reflection.
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St. Joseph socks and t-shirt
From Sock Religious, give Dad a “Work Hard Pray Hard” St. Joseph the Worker T-shirt and funky, colorful St. Joseph socks. The cotton shirt comes in several hues, including navy, red and green. The socks are bright yellow, blue and green and have carpenter’s squares in the argyle pattern.
Lori Hadacek Chaplin writes from Idaho.