(Photo Credit GerDukes – Pixabay)

By Kate Westwood

It can be a lovely idea to give gifts to members of the clergy that you know well during the holiday season. But you may feel worried about choosing gifts that are appropriate.

If that is the case, the following simple guide will provide you with some suitable options.

A Gift Card for a Christian Book Store

You may think that giving religious-based gifts is the way forward when choosing appropriate holiday gifts for the clergy, but the truth is, many priests, ministers, and pastors already own the kinds of religious gifts that are often given, such as Holy Bibles and decorative crucifixes.

However, that does not mean gifts that are relevant to Christianity are never appropriate.

If you want to give something that the member of the clergy will appreciate and does not already own, consider giving a gift card from a Christian bookshop.

Clergy members typically read a lot. By giving a book gift card, you can be sure the recipient will find a suitable book, such as one from the Christian author and lay minister Ken Rolheiser.

Also, this is an appropriate gift for anyone to give, regardless of how close you are to the member of the clergy. Quite simply, you cannot go wrong with a gift card for a Christian bookstore.

A Religious Item of Jewellery

If you know the gift recipient well and have a close relationship with the person, you will probably want to give something that has a deeper meaning and will be kept as a treasured keepsake for years to come.

In that case, religious-themed gifts can be a good choice, as long as you do not give items that the clergy member is sure to already own.

For instance, you could buy a religious item of jewellery. There are various beautiful items of Catholic jewellery available, including Holy Spirit bracelets, St. Michael bangles, rose quartz rosary bracelets, crucifix necklaces, and adoration pins.

Stationery

Regardless of how well you know the member of the clergy personally, practical gifts are always appropriate and good choices. So, consider what you could give that will actually be used by the recipient.

One very suitable option is to give office supplies. Clergy members spend a lot of time in office spaces. Therefore, practical stationery items like daily planners, notebooks, hole punches, and pens are sure to be appreciated.

Food and Drink

The gift you give does not have to be related to either religion or practicality. So, one excellent choice for a gift to the clergy during the holiday season is food.

You could give something traditional like a roasted ham or you could give chocolates, homemade cookies, or a hamper of food.

Also, there is nothing wrong with giving bottles of alcohol, as long as the member of the clergy does not abstain from alcohol, so consider giving a decent bottle of wine. You will not go wrong by giving food and drink to a minister, pastor, or priest this holiday season.

A Gift Card for a Restaurant or Show

Members of the clergy have busy schedules all year round, so they deserve to take some time out to enjoy themselves, just like anyone else. Therefore, consider giving a gift card to a local restaurant or a show.

The recipient of your gift will then be able to go out one evening and have an enjoyable time. This is a gift option that is sure to be well-received, though it may not be appropriate if you do not have a close relationship with the clergy member.

The Gift of Time

Because members of the clergy have busy schedules, one gift that is sure to be appreciated is the gift of time. That means doing something for the person, such as mowing the lawn, cleaning, or other chores.

Whatever type of job you feel proficient in is sure to be warmly received as a gift.

It is a good idea to give a card that informs the clergy member as to the gift you are giving. Also, do not be afraid of making your card fun. For instance, you could write something inside like: “This is a voucher that you can redeem for a free lawn-mowing session. Simply choose a time and call the number below to book now!”

Airline Miles

If you save up airline miles, consider giving them to your priest. Members of the clergy often fly to conferences, and they even sometimes manage to fit short vacations into their hectic schedules. So, airline miles are a more appropriate gift than you may think.

Alternatively, if you do not collect airline miles, you could give money for flights or vouchers that can be redeemed for the cost of flights. By giving such a gift, you can reduce the travel expenses for the members of the clergy. You might even like to treat the person to an upgrade to first class or business class.

Though, this gift option is best reserved for clergy members who you have built strong relationships with.

 Author

Kate Westwood is a content partnerships manager at www.houseofjoppa.com which sells Catholic gifts and souvenirs. Kate is passionate about her faith and enjoys sharing her love of all things Catholic with others.