Looking for Christmas gifts that will nourish your daughter’s Catholic faith?  Well look no further – I’ve compiled the ultimate gift guide for Catholic Girls.  Read on for gift suggestions from independent, Catholic artisans.

As a crunchy, first time mama, I vowed we would only buy educational, sustainably-sourced wooden toys.  Bonus points for a cloistered religious provenance.

But ah, the folly of youth.  What do I see a decade later, when I survey the land I tread?

Plastic.  

So.

Much.

Plastic.

Aside from terrorizing bare feet in the middle of the night, our vast collection of petroleum-based knick knacks has eclipsed gratitude with materialism.  It gets worse every Christmas: the influx of cutesy bobble heads, anthropomorphized kitchen appliances, and Taj Mahal-esque Lego sets is too much to bear.  The toys are fun for a week, then we’ve lost the parts or the babe tries to eat them.  Before we know it the girls are on to the next grand must-have, and my husband and I are knee deep in negotiations with twin Veruca Salts.

What’s a mom to do?

Shift the focus from material objects to gifts that enhance our daughters’ spiritual lives.

In this Gift Guide for Catholic Girls, I’m honored to share the shops of Catholic artisans who offer quality products for girls ages five to 18.  

From adventure gear to jewelry to paper goods, I’ve got you covered:

Adventure Bags from Wild Things Adventures

Do your daughters love the outdoors? Do they marvel in the goodness of God’s creation?  Do they spend hours on imaginary adventures, exploring new or farraway lands?  Pick up an Adventure Bag from Wild Things Adventures, and they’ll be set with a handmade leather satchel filled with everything a trailblazer needs:

• Prang watercolor paints and water jar
• A handsewn leather journal
• A golden compass
• A pair of Binoculars
• A handheld magnifying glass
• A branch pencil

Sarah is the homeschooling, homesteading mom of many who is the genius behind Wild Things Adventures.  She started the shop with her signature Adventure Bags to share the beauty of her family’s nature-based life.   Since opening, Sarah has expanded her offerings to hand sewn, leather bound journals and knitwear.

Discount Code:  10% off with code NSF10

Order deadline: December 10 for Christmas delivery

Hand-lettered pendants and charm jewelry by  Rakhstar Designs

As the owner of Rakhstar Designs, Rakhi hopes to “bring light into the shaded places, and help us to hear the quiet whispers that remain amid the chaos, telling us we are loved, we are chosen, and we are His.”  Her hand-lettered and illustrated pendants, charm necklaces, and charm bracelets are just as beautiful as her desire for unity with Christ.  These beautiful pieces feature Saint and Catechism-inspired sayings inspired, delicately paired with corresponding charms.  

Discount Code:  15% off $30+ with code GIRLSGUIDE15

Order deadline: December 1 for custom orders; December 10 for in-stock items

Metal-stamp jewelry by Faith and Fabric Designs

Blogger and seamstress Jen Frost owns Faith and Fabric Designs, an online shop featuring hand-stamped metal charm and cuff bracelets inspired by her Catholic faith.  Jen offers options for different season (both liturgical and calendar year) as well as pieces designed for sewing and quilting enthusiasts.  Custom orders available upon request.

Discount Code: 15% off entire purchase with code WHOLE15

Order Deadline: December 10 for non-digital purchases

Liturgical Calendars by TelosArt

One of the keys to fully participating in the sacrifice of the mass is an understanding of the liturgical year.  Jessica Connolly’s shop, TelosArt, offers a beautiful teaching tool: her At-A-Glance Liturgical Calendar.  The circular design features Holy Days of Obligation, corresponding vestment colors, and personalized feast days (if desired).  This beautiful print is perfect for hanging on your daughter’s wall as a reminder of the richness of our faith.

Discount Code: $5 off purchase of $12 or more with code ADVENTJOY

Order Deadline: December 12

Hand-painted Saint Peg Dolls from EmmausRoad

At EmmausRod, shop owner Kristina encourages “devotion to God through prayer and play.”  Kristina began selling her gorgeous, hand-painted peg dolls after family and friends after rave reviews from family and friends.  Sold individually (St. Therese, St. Jude, etc,) or in sets (Jesus and the Apostles, Old Testament heroes), Emmaus Road peg dolls promote catechesis at home through great stories of the saints and holy people who love Jesus. Kristina notes her pegdolls fit perfectly in Little People playsets. Custom orders available.

Discount Code: Free shipping with code FreeShip01

Order Deadline: November 28 (orders placed after that date will ship the first week of January)

Hand Knotted Rosaries from small things great love

On a high school pilgrimage to the March for Life, small things great love owner Allison Seitz learned to make knotted cord rosaries.  “While they look very different today,” Allison says, “I have enjoyed making them ever since.”  Allison’s hand knotted rosaries come in a variety of colors and types, from full rosaries to wristlets.  Each one is made to order from your choice of twine, wooden beads, and unique metal crosses from Italy.  In order to give back to her community, Allison donates a portion of each sale to area families who struggle to pay their utility bills.

Discount Code: 15% off with code AVEMAMA

Order Deadline: None.  Allison says: “I offer generous bulk discounts (25+ full rosaries, 30+ one decade/wrist) with free shipping (USA only). I would love to work with you for any occasion (First Communion, Confirmation, Religion class, Wedding favors, Shower favors, Stocking stuffers, etc).”

Custom Watercolor Portraits from Fiore Design Studio

Does your daughter have a favorite saint? Would you love to commision a unique portrait, just for her?  Head to Fiore Design Studio and contact lifelong artist Jennifer Olson.  Jennifer creates “fun and playful pieces customized to each unique family, so that they may enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoy creating them.”  Jennifer’s work is magical, with a whimsical quality that touches the heart.

Discount Code: 10% off any order with code CHRISTMAS10

Order Deadline: December 1

Silicone Rosaries from Little Praying Hands

This is an item close to my heart.  My daughters have sensory issues.  They chew on everything, from shirt sleeves to jewelry.  While the silicone rosaries from Little Praying Hands are intended for infants and toddlers, I have found them a welcome solution to our prayer time dilemma.  The rosaries provide a safe outlet for chewing while my daughters focus on the mysteries.  Little Praying Hands offers a variety of sizes and colors.  

Discount Code:  Free shipping through December 16 with CGGG2016

Order Deadline: December 16

Girls’ Box from The Little Catholic Box

In February of 2016, Liz and her husband, Jim, launched The Little Catholic Box, a subscription box for Catholic families.  Filled with goodies from Catholic and Christian businesses and artisans, each box encourages subscribers to grow in their love for and knowledge of the Catholic faith.  If you hurry, you can still grab their first stand-alone box for Catholic girls.  The contents are darling, and include a peg doll from Emmaus Road, a hand knotted rosary from small things great love, a miraculous medal bracelet from Chews Life, coloring pages from Pen and Point and shortbread cookies from The Sisters of St. Benedict.  If you’re in the market for a great all-in-one gift, this is it.  Act fast!

Shipping Information:  Boxes ship the week of 11/27

Super Saints Trading Cards from Arma Dei

If your daughter loves collectible card games, have I got a great Catholic alternative for you!  Monica at Arma Dei offers these beautifully illustrated Super Saints Trading Cards, each with an illustration from Kelly Saints.  This is a 54-card deck of  saints you can actually play with, from friendly games of war to rounds of Guess the Saint. Arma Dei also offers a wide variety of Catholic books; be sure to check them out, too!

I’m grateful these Catholic women offer their time and talents in the service of the Lord.  Not only will their products save your feet (and your sanity) from little plastic doodads, they’ll also encourage your daughter journey of faith.

And that’s a definite Christmas win.