• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Prayer Wine Chocolate

a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

  • Home
  • Wine and Chocolate
  • Faith
  • CSMI
  • Adoption
  • Life
  • Prayer Journaling
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Be Yourself!: A Journal for Catholic Girls
  • Donate a Be Yourself Journal
  • Catholic Coloring Pages
  • Shop

Dec 21, 2015
Life&middot The Little Things&middot Wine and Chocolate

Last Minute Gifts for “Impossible” People!

Two disclosures before I start: first, this post contains affiliate links; second, I am one of those “impossible” people!

Only how many days until Christmas??  It’s crunch time!  Here are some gift ideas if you feel stuck!

  1.  A soft, comfy, throw blanket.  I bought one for myself the first time I went Christmas shopping this year.  My mother-in-law bought me one last year and it’s the softest blanket ever! I have slept with it every night this year!  I have gotten throw blankets for my husband in the past, and he says that I “always get the softest blankets”.  I got one for my grandmother last year.  One size fits all!  And look – here’s one on sale on Amazon – and Prime shipping! throwblanketamazon
  2. A whole lot of Lottery tickets! My grandmother LOVES the scratch off lottery tickets.  So this year, I bought her a bunch of them, and I am using clothes pins to “hang” them on a piece of yarn.  I will wrap the string of yarn in a box and I’m pretty sure it will be her favorite present.  I certainly hopes she wins big!lotterytix
  3. GIFT CARDS – I feel like we love to get them, but don’t love giving them.  We fear that it looks lazy.  But who doesn’t LOVE a gift card?  There’s always something we wish we had gotten, but didn’t.  With a gift card, we can go get it.  Visa gift cards are great, but so are “store” specific ones.  I love a Barnes and Nobles gift card.  If I get one, I have an excuse to walk around that store for an hour – by myself.  I might even finish a whole cup of coffee while it’s hot.  And if you are shopping for a woman, and know where she gets her hair done – JACKPOT.  Get her a gift certificate to her salon.  Getting your hair done is so expensive – but we all get it done!  T.J Maxx . . .another store that is so fun to shop at . . . I could go on.  I will suggest some “add ons” next if you feel like you can’t just give a gift card.
  4. Gift Card with some “add ons” – For men, skip the tie and tools.  If the man likes tools, give him a gift card to Home Depot.  I feel like giving a man tools is like giving a woman make up.  They’re not all the same, let them pick it out.  However, a nice add on for a man is a scarf, coffee (if they have a Keurig, k-cups are awesome gifts), and chocolate.  Also, if a man loves to golf, find out where they golf the most and get them a gift certificate for that course!  Add ons for women can include socks (as add ons, please don’t give this as a gift and that’s all)!  We all have the sock problem – we can’t find matches!  I’m wearing socks that don’t match as I type!  Other add ons are of course wine, and chocolate.  Add a Christmas ornament to hang on the wine bottle – one that reminds you of that person to make the gift personal.  And remember, if you would like it, most likely someone else would too!godivachoc
  5. A photo album with pictures in it – The dollar store sells the little ones that fit in a pocket book! You can also get bigger, nicer albums on amazon (still time for 2-day shipping).  People love pictures of themselves – the selfie stick is a thing – need I say more??  If you are on Facebook, you can easily get pics of you and this certain someone.  Go to your friend’s page, click the 3 dots next to “message” and click “see friendship”.  You’ll then see a bunch of pics that you are both tagged in!  Most places will let you print pictures out from Facebook (CVS, Target, Walgreens, etc.).
  6. An experience –  This can be written in a card, no prep work has to be done (besides, you’ll have to find a date that works best for both of you).  Write in the card that you would love to spend a day together, so you’ll pay for lunch and a movie.  You can probably think of many other ideas, but here are a few:* wine tasting; *a live show; * shopping; *out for coffee and lunch,*do something “touristy”; paint and drink wine night; hike; etc.
  7. Anything Fair Trade – These gifts are mainly crafts, coffee and chocolate – but with an added bonus of doing a good deed for those in need.  Bread for Life is another fair trade organization that offers many gift options and expedited shipping, since time is running out!

What did I miss?  If you have an idea, please comment!  There are people reading this that need help 🙂 !  Remember to stay Merry and Jolly!!!

Share
Tweet
Pin2
Share3
5 Shares
Previous Post: « Last Minute Teacher Gifts that get an A+
Next Post: Ten Simple Reminders Were the Best Gifts This Christmas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie says

    December 21, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    My grandfather loved lottery tickets, too! It might seem strange, but we buried him with a few… He always bought them and always gave them away as presents. He’d say, and my mom kept the tradition, that, “You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket.” 😉 So sweet! It’s a cute gift.

    • Amy says

      December 21, 2015 at 11:02 pm

      True – you can’t play if you don’t win! Merry Christmas Annie! I hope you are doing well!

  2. barbara@HomeroomAtHome says

    December 22, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    Love the lottery idea. Perfect. I think I might snag a couple now that you’ve mentioned. Awesome!!

    • Amy says

      December 22, 2015 at 2:09 pm

      So glad you like the idea – I will have fun telling my Grandmom how popular her idea is on Christmas!

  3. Sarah Honey says

    December 22, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    Love the lottery ticket idea! That’s a great one!

  4. Crystal says

    December 29, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Where were you in my life 10 days ago? I’m so glad I found you and this post for next time!

    • Amy says

      December 29, 2015 at 8:56 pm

      Awww man! I’m sorry this list didn’t get to you sooner Crystal! Next time definitely :)!!

Primary Sidebar

       

Amy is the Co-Founder of CatholicsOnline.net

Free Resources for Lent

Free Resources for Lent

Free resources

Free resources

Shop Prayer Wine Chocolate Gifts

Shop Prayer Wine Chocolate Gifts

GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

I’m Amy Brooks, I connect Catholics! Make Catholic friends that love a GNO! Attend a retreat, start a parish group! Author of Be Yourself Journals 🙂

One person will WIN all of these and more! Enter t One person will WIN all of these and more! Enter to win NOW! Contest ends Dec.1

Comment ME if you want the link!!!

#Stockingstuffers #Catholic #Catholicmom
When I was a little girl, I vaguely remember a sil When I was a little girl, I vaguely remember a silver and blue medal fastened to my school uniform with a pin. My mom put that medal on my uniform. I don’t remember asking any questions, but I still think that blue was so pretty.
Fast forward about 9 years, and another memory surfaces… my Dad took our family to a church in a neighborhood we had to drive to. I remember parking across the street and entering the front doors of the @miraculousmedal Shrine. I recall the pads of paper placed on the marble in front of the different statues. These little memo 📝 pads were notes to God, asking Our Lady to intercede for us. I loved that I could write an intention but that one of the suggestions was “for a Catholic boyfriend” I was 15, I checked that box.
But honestly, I wasn’t a “Mary” person when it came to prayer.
Any personal prayer addressed Jesus or God.
10 years later my friend’s Mom gave me a Miraculous Medal keychain. I put it on my keys and life went on…

And over a decade later… it was that shrine I went to with this big idea about a Catholic gift guide and a giveaway.

But confession, many times in between those years each and every time I was going through something hard,I visited that place.
I poured my hearts desires on those little memo papers.
I asked Our Blessed Mother to pray for me.
I begged God to answer my prayers.

And He did.

Without me knowing the details of the Miraculous Medal.
But that time I went in there with the gift guide and giveaway idea… I was asked if I was only going to write one blog post.

That question inspired a second.
I researched the Miraculous Medal and read that Our Lady promised graces, especially to those who wore it around their neck.

More graces? Yes please 

I wrote a post…” 5 Reasons Why I wear a Miraculous Medal and maybe You Should Too”.
Church Pop @churchpop asked if they could publish it.
It went viral… at least viral for me.

And a few weeks ago, I brought about 30 women there for a retreat.

I didn’t pursue Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal… I pursued her Son.
My pursuit was sloppy.
Like any mother, she couldn’t resist helping me a little.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you
No one is EVER beyond God’s abundant love, generos No one is EVER beyond God’s abundant love, generosity and power.

#Hope #yearofhope #empireofhope #Godismerciful
10 years!!!!! #prayerwinechocolate #prayerwarrior 10 years!!!!!

#prayerwinechocolate #prayerwarriors #catholicsonline
Here it is!!! The 2025 Catholic Stocking Stuffers Here it is!!! The 2025 Catholic Stocking Stuffers Gift Guide!!!
Hope you find a gift that will raise a h art closer to Christ and find joy in sharing THE GOOD NEWS!!!

#Catholicgift #Catholicgifts
I’m so excited!!!! Who wants to see the whole list I’m so excited!!!!
Who wants to see the whole list ASAP!!

Comment “stocking”!!! 

Special appearances by @heavenshandmaid and @novenaroseco 

#Christmaslist #Christmascatalog #Advent #stockingstuffers #Catholicwoman #Catholicman #coffeeandJesus #CatholicsOnline
“This was the BEST RETREAT I have ever been to!” “This was the BEST RETREAT I have ever been to!” 

I forgot to create a feedback paper again, but thankfully one of the attendees made sure to tell me this before she left! Someone else told me later they overheard the same words in the ladies room!
Woohooo!!! I am so happy and grateful!!!

If you missed it, please know I have created resources for you so that you can make one of these events happen in your community!

I will be thanking the many sponsors of the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat all week… but let me give a few shout outs now!

@dr.monique.ruberu bought the chocolate candy we enjoyed with the wine!

Raina from @giveloveandblessings provided each attendee with a beautiful Rosary bracelet.

The Basilica Shrine of the Miraculous Medal @miraculousmedal provided a spectacular day for all of us. I am so happy this year’s retreat day was at this incredibly special and holy place.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you!

#Catholicretreat #Catholicpilgrimage #Catholicmom #Trustandhope #Catholicwomen
I did not plan to start a ministry that included a I did not plan to start a ministry that included an annual retreat…
But wow, God is so good!

The friends I have made and met through this work are such a blessing!!!

I’m sure glad you’re here reading this!

I’m so grateful for this mission… to foster, encourage and nurture friendships that put faith first.

Join me in making praying with friends just as normal as drinking wine with friends!
 
Let’s joyfully invite others to see the love God has for each one of us.
 
The adventure is just beginning!
@craftymom714 @lotvministry 

#trustandhope #prayerwinechocolate #Catholic
As a busy Catholic mom, I want to do as much as I As a busy Catholic mom, I want to do as much as I can to promote a culture of life…

Here’s one thing I can definitely fit into my schedule!
Follow  @sevenweekscoffee and keep loving them both ❤️❤️

#prolife #lovethemboth #Catholic #Adoptivefamily #JesusandCoffee
BACK IN STOCK!!!! AND… anyone who orders a Journal BACK IN STOCK!!!! AND… anyone who orders a Journal from me this weekend will get a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas catalog mailed with the Be Yourself Journal!!! 

This book is a fantastic gift for girls… ages 8 to 15!

Remember to give one when you are donating a toy this year too! If you pick a girl in this age range, add some gel pens and stickers and it’s the perfect gift!!

Amazon has it on sale now too!
It is TRULY a great gift!!!

Who wants one!??? I’ll put the link in my bio and in my stories!

#BeYourself #tweengirl #Middleschool #girlgifts #Catholic #Christian #Catholicfamily #Faithandfun #stayprayedup #slambook #genx
WIN a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog!! I WIN a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog!!
I want to send 5 of you this catalog through the good old fashioned mail!

Enter to win:

Follow @catholicsonline and @prayerwinechocolate 

Tag 3 friends!

That’s it! Do this by Sunday, November 8, 2025 and I will choose 5 winners!
Make sure your settings allow me to message you! 

The fine print:
-You must be 18 or older and have a U.S. mailing address.
-The deadline is Sunday, November 9,2025
~ This is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram 

#CreativeCatholic #Catholicgift #Catholicmom #Catholic #RomanCatholic #manyhailmarysatatime #Catholicgifts #stayprayedup
If we want to bring more of our loved ones back to If we want to bring more of our loved ones back to church… we need to invite them.

If we want our parish’s to have stronger communities, we need to meet the busy women where they are… and encourage faith filled friendships.

Praying the Rosary with others is powerful and life changing.
Let’s do this!
Who wants the link to learn more? Comment PARISH if you want more information!

#prayerwinechocolate #trustandhope #heartofthehome #Catholicparish #DRE #OCIA #Catholicfriends #catholicfellowship #Catholicwomen #Praytogether #PraytheRosary #faithandfriendship
October 2025…quickest month ever!!!! October 2025…quickest month ever!!!!
Wait for it. Discuss ⬇️ #EucharisticAdoration Wait for it.
Discuss ⬇️

#EucharisticAdoration
I needed candles. Yes, I NEEDED them! Jill’s can I needed candles. Yes, I NEEDED them! 

Jill’s candle company is called Contemplative Candles @contemplativecandles 

Jill’s candle company if featured in the @catholicsonline Cozy Christmas Catalog!!!

I definitely bought myself a gift… but it’s for the whole family!

Our homes are domestic churches ⛪️ 

I think the big Catholic influencers call it liturgical living ;)

@manyhailmarysatatime @onehailmaryatatime 

#Catholic #praytheRosary #Catholiccontent #Catholicwife #Catholicgift
“I can’t go this year, but next year I hope to!” “I can’t go this year, but next year I hope to!”

I hear this every year when I’m planning the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat.

And every year I think…” I don’t know if I’ll be able to do this again next year.”

Each year- each day- is a gift.
Getting to plan a retreat for women that truly serves their minds, their souls and their hearts is truly a gift.
But the truth is, I never know if I’ll be given this gift again.

Jesus reminds us all in the Gospels that we all really don’t know what will happen in the future.
I don’t know what next year will bring…

But I do know that when women attend a Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat for a day, they say things like

“I needed this”
“I would have paid you more”
“It’s like Christmas for Moms”

I understand life is busy. I feel strongly that the busyness is a distraction from the stillness Our Lord is calling us to.

If you really can’t attend this year’s Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat, may I make a suggestion?

Get out your calendar and schedule a day to go to confession,
A day to go to Mass that is not Sunday,
A day to get together with someone else to pray the Rosary out loud and a day to spend time with another woman that needs your prayers.

All of these things are available on November 15th.
There’s still time to register!

If you want to join us this year, comment “Register “ and I’ll send you the details.

If you definitely can’t make it, drop a prayer intention in the comments- or message me- and we will bring your intentions with us!

Photo credit 📸: my 8 year old daughter 

#busymom #busywife #busywoman #workingmom #Catholicwoman #Catholicretreat #catholicliving
I swear my laundry is multiplying… I need to get o I swear my laundry is multiplying… I need to get out as much as anyone..

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” —Lucy Maud Montgomery, Ann of Green Gables

#Catholic #Catholicauthor #beyourself
The 2025 Cozy Catholic Christmas catalog is out!!! The 2025 Cozy Catholic Christmas catalog is out!!! Want to see it?!! Comment ME! And I’ll send it to your inbox… or go to catholicinfluencers.com for it!!!

#earlyshopper #shopCatholic #Christiangifts
I know I NEED one!!! Join us for prayer and holy, I know I NEED one!!!
Join us for prayer and holy, humorous friendship!
Want details? Let me know!

#Catholic #Catholicwoman #Catholicretreat #pilgrimage
I have a LOT of situations! I heard if you revere I have a LOT of situations!

I heard if you reverently bless yourself with the sign of the Cross, demons flee.

Imma gonna go bless myself… a few times!

Who’s with me?

#stopscrolling #sayyourprayers
Follow on Instagram

Footer

       
a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

Copyright © 2025 · Cultivate Theme theme by Restored 316