My son and daughter have studied diligently, chosen their Confirmation saints (Nicholas and Barbara, respectively), and will receive this most vital sacrament in May from the bishop himself. What a momentous day is coming!
The Catechism explains that by receiving Confirmation, a young Catholic is “more perfectly bound to the Church…enriched with a special strength of the Holy Ghost.” He becomes a “true witness of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”
If you know someone who will be confirmed this spring and are looking for some new and different gifts, my post today is full of ideas.
1- Saint Specific Gifts
Find out who their chosen confirmation saint is and look for books, statues, medals, artwork or devotional items that honor the saint.
2- Holy Card Keeper
Confirmandi (those receiving the sacrament) will often receive holy cards from well-wishers and it’s nice to have a place to keep them protected. You can find little holy card albums at any Catholic gift store or online.
3- Memory Book
Speaking of saving things, there will be lots of mementos from this special day. Greeting cards, photos, stickers, programs of the church service, etc. Keep everything handy and beautifully presented in a nice memory book. My favorites are the standard 8.5 x11 Pioneer Albums with a window on the front that you can personalize with photography or artwork.
4- Keepsake Box
A beautiful box made of resin, wood or metal is a great place to keep mementos, especially if your child or teen is not the creative type and won’t spend time making a memory book. Each of my boys has a box like this and they put their “holy things” inside.
5- Inspiration for Christian Soldiers
The confirmandi are part of the Church Militant, defined as “The Church here on earth, still struggling with sin and temptation, and therefore engaged in warfare (Latin militia) with the world, the flesh, and the devil.”
You can inspire young soldiers for Christ with a statue, wall art, necklace or challenge coin to commemorate their Confirmation.
6 – Book of Psalms
7 – Gift Card to a Catholic Gift Shop
Choose a local or online Catholic retailer, and the receiver can choose whatever devotional gift he likes. You might also consider a Christian gift store like Mardel. My favorite affordable online Catholic bookstore is TAN Books and you get a 15% discount if you use code ZH15.
8 – Framed Print or Icon
Let your imagination run free as you choose a beautiful piece of artwork. Christ, the Virgin Mary, the saints or even themes like Pentecost or The Blessed Trinity are all appropriate for Confirmation gift-giving.
As Saint John Damascene said “The beauty of the images moves me to contemplation, as a meadow delights the eyes and subtly infuses the soul with the glory of God.”
Below: framed prints from Nelson:
9 – Devotional Crucifix
You can choose one that hangs on the wall or stands upright.
10 – Spiritual Journal
Way back in my college days, I got into the habit of keeping a spiritual journal. I would write down Scripture verses, inspirational quotes and even notes from sermons that were especially helpful or life-changing. To this day, I still keep notes in it. I would suggest a durable leather-bound journal that will last for many years.
11 – Keepsake Pouch
A small bag or drawstring pouch adorned with an image of the Holy Ghost is an ideal place to keep medals, tokens, rosaries and chaplets.
12 – A Book About the Holy Ghost
Father Apostoli writes very clearly and engagingly about how we are to receive God’s generous gift of the Holy Ghost. This charming and sometimes humorous book is ideal for teenagers receiving Confirmation and helps them to fully appreciate what is being conferred, so they can take concrete action in their lives.
In his wonderful book, The Gift of God (purchase at TAN), Father writes “When someone offers another person a gift, the first thing the receiver should do is acknowledge the gift, then express gratitude for it, and finally, put it to good use!.”
13 – Confirmation Gift Bible
TAN’s Douay Rheims translation is a deluxe leatherette version that will become a treasured part of any young Catholic’s growing library. More than just a bible, this hardbound, gold-embossed edition features stories on the lives of young Saints, explanations of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and well-known prayers written in English and Latin. There are also answers to teens’ top questions about Catholic moral teaching.
14 – Rosary-Making Kit
Give a gift that will bring joy and bear fruit for years into the future. If you have a creative child who is eager to share the faith with the others, learning the skill of rosary-making is priceless. The Rosary Shop has many kit options including beginner, intermediate and customs.
15 – Religious Themed Mugs and Decor
I have a beautiful mug with Mary’s image and the Memorare prayer imprinted on it. What a great reminder each day as I have my coffee to start with prayer! There are thousands of options online, but I’d love for you to visit my friend’s shop, Little Agnes Designs, and see her mugs and other household items that feature original watercolor designs and beautiful curated graphics.
16 – Personalized Jewelry
You can order customized religiously jewelry through Etsy, including details like the confirmandi’s name, date of the sacrament or a simple message like “Come Holy Ghost.”
17 – Faith-Based Apparel
Teens love t-shirts and hoodies, and they can affirm their faith in God with clothes that feature bold messages like:
- Verso L’Alto (To the Heights)
- Viva Cristo Rey (Long Live Christ the King, the defiant cry of the Mexican Cristeros)
- Deus Vult (God Wills It, chanted by the Crusaders).
- Ave Maria
- Ora et Labora (Pray and Work, associated with the Benedictine Rule)
- Choose Life!
- Deo Gratis (Thanks Be to God)
Try Cafepress or other custom apparel sites.
18 – Catholic Stationary and Stickers
Cards, notepaper and even religious address labels make great gifts, and can be put to use right away as your child writes thank-you notes. For my daughter, I ordered a set of address labels with a little image of the Holy Ghost.
19 – Subscriptions
The days of Zoobooks and Highlights are past and now it’s time for some meatier material!
Help Catholic teenagers grow in faith and knowledge with a subscription to an orthodox Catholic periodical. If he is a Latin Mass attendee, give the gift of a Benedictus subscription; every month he will receive a compact, paperback missal that corresponds to the current liturgical calendar. Magnificat is another little compact magazine full of daily devotions, prayers and beautiful artwork. Plastic or leather covers that fit them can also be purchased.
20 – Sacred Music
So many beautiful, uplifting options! There are audio CD’s of nuns singing, sacred choral music, Gregorian chant and organ music. It’s also great to have an audio CD of the rosary to use while your teen is driving.
Share your Confirmation gift ideas in the comments!
I really like the idea of giving a keepsake box to hold small items like holy cards and medals and such. Great list!