This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

5 Catholic White Elephant Gift Ideas You Will Love

Catholic White Elephant Gift Ideas

I saw Amazon sent an email with “White Elephant” gift ideas and it made me think . . .

we could totally upscale this with gifts that spark faith and beautiful thoughts about God!

We can do so much better!

Forget Amazon’s suggestions, these Catholic gifts are so much better!

White elephant gift idea #1 – unique band-aids

One item Amazon had on it’s White Elephant Gift List was “bacon bandages”

– forget the bacon bandaids, give Jesus and Mary Bandages from Be a Heart!!! Use coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE for 10% off!

Ironically, these Jesus Bandages, are also available on Amazon!

White elephant gift idea #2 – novelty socks

Another popular item listed are socks. Amazon suggest animal paw socks??? Forget those and . . .

DEFINITELY consider Sock Religious for your White Elephant gift! So many to choose from – guaranteed to give a smile and some intercessory prayer!

White Elephant gift idea #3 – funny mugs and other drinkware

Amazon’s suggestion – heat changing Gameboy mug.

Catholic alternative: Saint Michael pixel mug

Other drinkware options:

Stainless Steel Tumbler

not so Holy Water Tumbler from Sagely Sparrow – so funny!

Have a little fun while sharing your faith with this (not so) Holy Water tumbler. It makes a great funny gift for the fun-loving Catholic in your life. Fill it with iced tea, hot chocolate, your favorite adult beverage, or plain old (not holy) water.

Enjoy hot or cold drinks on the go with this stylish stainless steel tumbler! This reusable tumbler with a metal straw is a perfect combo for hot or cold drinks at any time of the day.

A Prayer Wine Chocolate Wine Tumbler!

You can get a pink or purple Prayer Wine Chocolate Wine Tumbler!

White Elephant Gift Idea #4 – Playing Cards

Amazon had quite a few differing playing card decks on their white elephant suggestion list.

Instead of Harry Potter or World’s Smallest DOS, give Catholic Family Crate playing cards! You can purchase these from Etsy or directly from Catholic Family Crate’s website.

Catholic Family Crate has quite a few card games that our popular in our home!

In fact, many White Elephant gift suggestions were games.

If you want to give a game that a little more unique, check out The Catholic Card Game by Board Catholic

The Catholic Card Game by Board Catholic

THE GAME FOR CATHOLIC ADULTS While other party games make you feel like you need Confession after playing and other Catholic products are either too childish or too academic, the Catholic Card Game provides clean entertainment without sacrificing quality or fun.It’s easy to play, relatable, and hilarious.

White Elephant Gift Idea #5 – a candle

Pax Rosa, a new Catholic Candle Company, has a variety of styles and scents!

You can choose one decorated with some art like the Holy Family hearts candle or

one with script, like the Wedding at Cana candle.

If you want MORE Catholic Gift Ideas, be sure to check out my latest posts:

The BEST Catholic Gifts to Give This Christmas

and

Dynamic Duos: These Catholic Gifts Go Great Together

Did you love the Sears or JC Penny catalog around Christmas when you were a kid? We created a Catholic Christmas Catalog to bring back those feelings of nostalgia while also inspiring you to give and ask for Catholic gifts this year!

Check it out: A Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog

The post 5 Catholic White Elephant Gift Ideas You Will Love appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Some gifts were sent to me so that I could promote them – most of which I specifically asked for because I wanted to recommend them in this list – plus, there’s a giveaway which many listed have contributed to! All opinions are 100% mine!

There are so many AMAZING gift ideas this year! It was so hard to choose. So, since I do not want to overwhelm you, I’m keeping Bibles and Rosaries out of this list because I have two posts dedicated solely to those incredibly important – and forever BEST – Catholic Gifts.

If you are searching for a Bible – go here: 5 People on Your Gift List That Need a New Bible

If you are searching for a Rosary – go here: Not Your Grandma’s Rosaries

The Best Gifts for Catholic Men in 2023

The Hallow App – one of the best gifts to give this year!

This app has revolutionized prayer for the modern man and woman. It’s convenient, it’s relevant and completely accessible. I mean, even Mark Wahlberg likes it, so it’s gotta be a great man gift!

If you have a man on your list that doesn’t know what he wants, I highly suggest giving the Hallow app as a gift!

Catholic Coffee – this is a throwback from last year’s gift guide. My husband loves the coffee and the travel mug I had claimed as mine! Use coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE for 15% off.

Want to add some humor? This fun mug “Don’t make me have to go to confession” mug or this Saint Nick mug will do the trick!

Books from Ascension Press

As the head of the family, husbands and fathers might enjoy diving deeper into our rich faith and having references on hand when insightful questions are asked.

A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament by Jeff Cavins, Jeffrey Morrow, Biff Rocha and Andrew Swafford

• Now Catholics can be invigorated in the study of Scripture, connect with the story of God’s Chosen People, and uncover new meaning in the Old Testament’s narrative with A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament. This comprehensive yet accessible introduction to the Old Testament seeks to unveil the mysteries of Divine Revelation contained in the Old Testament and unlock the hidden details of this God-given text. With this Catholic guide, readers will no longer wonder how each of the Old Testament’s books contributes to the narrative of Scripture or struggle to understand its main characters, historical context, and literary forms. 
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, Ascension Edition
• The Catechism contains the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith’s most foundational teachings applied to the modern day. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Ascension Edition makes the wisdom of this foundational document accessible through the Foundations of Faith color-coded approach. This award-winning, exclusive, specially designed edition clearly shows the ancient roots of the Faith and is the Catechism used with the chart-topping Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast. There has never been an edition of the Catechism so revolutionary for Catholics seeking to understand the teachings of the Catholic Faith.

All time classic: Candy made by the Trappistine’s. My dad says it “tastes heavenly”!

Sock Religious had fantastic gifts! This small business was started by a Catholic husband and is an overall great company. These gifts are practical and bring about a smile to those who receive it. I gave my brother the Saint Anthony ones because he is ALWAYS looking for his keys, phone, wallet . . . He appreciated them and wears them too!

The Best Gifts for Catholic Women in 2023

Let’s start with a few of my FAVORITE CATHOLIC THINGS!

A Prayer Wine Chocolate Sweatshirt and/or a Prayer Wine Chocolate tumbler!

I wear my PWC sweatshirts often – just because they are so comfortable! The other day I was wearing it food shopping and another customer looked at my shirt, read it out loud, smiled and said “LOVE IT” and then he said, “my wife would love that”. His smile was contagious. I saw him three isles later and he was still smiling and complimented my shirt again. I said, “always prayer first” and he said “AMEN”.

It put extra joy in my day!

The tumbler is great for BYO events! It’s also nice to have if you like to sit outside around a fire and have a glass of wine

My three “everyday” Catholic products are

my Miraculous Medal necklace from Telos Jewelry

and my belt bag from Be a Heart and

my earrings from 12th & Blossom!

I can honestly say I use and wear these daily!

My favorite new products are:

My brand new Rosary pouch from The Cozy Wife!!!

My rosaries have been haphazardly in my purses for years. I can not wait to give at least on Rosary a home in this adorable pouch (mine is purple with a rainbow on it)! Remember, if you want to gift someone a pouch and a Rosary, check out my Not Your Grandma’s Rosary post!

The Cozy Wife’s shop should win an award for “best stocking stuffer ideas” for Catholics this year! Those keychains and stickers, plus the Rosary pouches and the cozies – yes please!!!

A new book! I highly recommend giving Theology of Style: Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You

I am diving in and taking notes right now. I’m learning so much. I highly recommend this book to women who have young daughters. There’s a ton of “styles” out there now that do not reflect the immense beauty God created in each young woman. This book will help when conversations arise that involve modesty and simply making the best decisions, without compromising each individual’s unique identity.

More ideas for women:

Catholic Candle from Pax Rosa

Choose Joy Mug from His Girl Sunday/ Liturgy Market

Sock Religious “no show” socks.

Jewelry from Telos Art! I not only wear it, but I like to gift it too Use code AMY10

The Hallow App! Women LOVE this app. I starting using it about a month ago. Not only do I use it for my own prayer and learning, but my daughter loves listening to the Saint Stories for kids that are also on this app! When she was home sick and I was working around the house, she was so content and peaceful listening and learning about the Saints!

The Best Gifts For Catholic Teens and College Students

For teen girls, think cozy! A blanket, a hot cocoa or coffee mug and a book!!

A blanket and a book are a great gift combo! I found Catholic blankets that teens will love at BlessedBeGodBoutique!!

Since this age can be a challenge with all things, faith is not always their favorite thing. So, I’ve kept that in mind with these gift ideas.

One book I suggest is a new YA novel written by Catholic Author Ginny Kochis. Although she is Catholic, this novel, Blink and We’ll Miss It, is categorized as “clean and wholesome romance”.

“Blink and We’ll Miss It is a poignant, swoon-worthy novel about finding the strength to forgive, the courage to move forward, and the vulnerability to fall in love.”

Just picture your favorite teen all cuddled up in a blanket with a prayer on it, holding her Catholic mug and reading a book that is good for her soul! Love it!

Simple yet faithful sweatshirt! This be not afraid sweatshirt has the right dose of faith for a teen!

Fun Catholic gifts under $25 dollars:

Catholic keychains, these from The Cozy Wife are my first recommendation!

Catholic Friendship bracelets from Refuge Rosaries (know any Taylor Swift fans???)

Saint Andrew Bracelet from House of Love and Laughter. I love this bracelet for two reasons – one, it’s so pretty and two, it may teach the teen about the Christmas novena – which encourages them to pray every day in Advent!

Catholic Gift Ideas for Teen Boys

A Saint Benedict Crucifix

Last year, my friend’s teen son specifically asked for a crucifix necklace to wear around his neck. This year, when I asked for gift suggestions for teen boys, another friend stated:

“My teen boy says a cross necklace, bc every guy wants a chain!“

This seems to be a welcome gift to young men. I chose to highlight the Saint Benedict Crucifix because it also includes a St. Benedict medal!

If you’d like to see another option, check out Studded Silver Crucifix, also available from Telos.

For teen boys, Voyage Comics is definitely a great store to grab a few things from! Not only do they have comics (and artists that have worked for Marvel), but they also have a section called Voyage Classics, non-fiction books, apparel and more!

Mind Quiet Heart Open Adoration Companion for Teens

My friend Holly wrote this and I think it’s awesome! One reviewer shared on Amazon:

My teen son loves the look of this adoration companion. He appreciates the examen as well as the thought provoking pages that help him focus on Jesus while he’s in His presence. Bonus is that it’s not “girly” but can be enjoyed and used by either males or females. It’s a great value for what you get!

Add this fidget pen for extra fun!

Sock Religious is a great gift!

The Best Gifts for Catholic Kids

For older boys:

Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys and this pen!!

I am so delighted to share that this book is climbing the charts over on Amazon. Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys is close to being in the Top 100 in several categories, which include Children’s Inspirational Books and Children’s Christian Prayer Books!

I wrote this book with boy’s interests in mind. Lots of crossing out instead of circling; a graffiti wall activity; making a plan (instead of writing a list); plus spiritual warfare and spiritual exercises that involve sports. PLUS, you can totally level-up your journal gift with this Upgrade Fidget Pen!

My 11 year old LOVES Voyage Comics! Highly recommend perusing their website and ordering a few things. Totally affordable, definitely a great gift!!!

For older girls (the tween years):

A blanket and a Be Yourself Journal!!! In a world that is sending so many confusing messages, the Be Yourself Journal invites girls to explore their identity with hope and joy! They learn what it means to know, love and serve the Lord and how that is an incredibly rewarding adventure!

The book has plenty of places to color, a “prayer style” quiz, letters from Saints and even a two-page spread where girls can “design a prayer room”. There are some pages that are “just for fun” and others that will help navigate feelings and develop a prayer life. I just talked to an older teen yesterday and she told me when she got the Be Yourself Journal – around the age of 11 – she “used her journal every day!!”

I think the perfect blanket to pair with this journal would be the Fruits of the Spirit blanket by Blessed Be God Boutique!

And the just released Catholic Friendship bracelets from Refuge Rosaries (know any Taylor Swift fans???)

For both boys and girls (ages 3 to 7)

My 6 year old twins love playing with Saintly Heart’s alphabet puzzle! Especially my 6-year old boy!

My daughter loves playing with blocks, and Saintly Heart’s Saint blocks are her favorite! (We add them in to our wooden block collection and it really does increase the fun!!!)

All 3 of my children enjoy playing Catholic Family Crate’s card games and really enjoy their Pray By Sticker Books! Shop Catholic Family Crate for joint family gifts or that child on your list that loves games and the “paint by sticker” activity books!

Sock Religious kid socks! I’m so excited to give my daughter the Saint Therese’ ones this year. Both my sons already have several pairs!

Shining Light dolls – this store just keeps getting bigger and better!

Our twins love doing the puzzles, my older son loves the wooden Mass kit, the rag dolls and re-usable sticker activity books are just a few of the incredible toys you’ll find at Shining Light Dolls!

I bought my niece a plush Jesus doll from Shining Light Dolls and her sister kept taking it. My brother ended up ordering her sister one because it was loved by both of them so much!!!

Their new Advent Wreath for kids is AMAZING! They also have play Saint candles!!

My 6-year-old daughter just came in and gave me another idea (she pointed to this beautiful necklace and said “I want this!!!”. She loves jewelry and keychains. This 12th & Blossom necklace is lovely and since she seems to have a bond with the Little Flower, I might just get it for her!

Books!

Books are such great gifts for kids. My children LOVE being read to and it really can spark some beautiful conversations.

A few months ago, my daughter told me “The Night the Saints Saved Christmas” was her “favorite Saint book”. For my son (and me, let’s be honest hahaha) I just bought the new Saintly Creatures: 14 Tales of Animals and Their Holy Companions book published by Word on Fire.

I have also had my eye on this one:

The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story by Jennifer Sharpe

• This creative Christmas story is designed to guide children ages 6–10 in discovering the profound meaning of Christmas and its connection to the Mass. Beautiful text and pictures tell the story of the first Christmas while full-page flaps unfold a parallel story as a boy and his younger sister meet Jesus in the Eucharist at midnight Mass on Christmas. By interacting with the flaps, children will discover the parallels of the nativity story and the Mass, and enter deeper into Christmas. Featuring rhyming text, vibrant illustrations, and full-page, open-out flaps, this book helps parents make Christmas spiritually meaningful for children.

Catholic Christmas Gifts for Babies and Toddlers

Shining Light Dolls has teethers, wooden toys, dolls and more!

The Little Rose Shop introduced the “Where is Jesus Quiet Book” and I thing it’s the most adorable fabric book I have ever seen!

A Nativity Set from Saintly Heart or a simple Crucifix from Rough to Rustic are also great baby and toddler gifts!

More gift ideas here: The Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog

A Marian Spinner form Studio Senn

 Marian spinners let children discover Mary in a unique and tactile way. Maybe they want Mary to have a beautiful crown, holding baby Jesus, with an angel beneath her feet? Or angels surrounding her, in a fancy dress, and clouds holding her up? All these aspects of Mary work together to create our Blessed Mother.

Please note, older children will “borrow” this toy from time to time!

Studio Senn also came out with a Catholic Seek and Find Book this year!

More gift ideas here: The Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog

Enter the GIVEAWAY!!!

ONE PERSON WILL WIN:

A chrism candle from Pax Rosa

A blanket from Blessed Be God Boutique

3 Books from Ascension Press: The Mass and the Manger, Theology of Style and A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament

Stickers from The Cozy Wife

Several gifts from Shining Light Dolls

A pair of earrings from 12th & Blossom

A card game and a bag from Catholic Family Crate

and MORE!!! (let me surprise you!!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post The BEST Catholic Gifts to Give in 2023 appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Two Speakers in the Philadelphia Archdiocese are not just bringing refreshing, incredible talks to events, but also holy experiences.

You can find speakers all over the globe by going to Catholicinfluencers.com!

Kate Capato: Sacred Presentations that bring Truth Through Beauty

Book a presentation with Kate Capato, owner of Visual Grace, here!

Taking to heart the concept of leading with beauty, Kate Capato brings a unique event with original paintings and collaborates with husband with live music to share the truths of our faith. It is powerful to see the Holy Spirit working through beauty! 

These are not your typical talks!

Kate’s talks include an immersive experience, an in depth explanation of the language of beauty, instruction about how God communicates with us and a total new way to pray using Visio Divna (a way of listening to God through art).

*** Book an event with Kate Capato here****

Each event is rooted in Church teaching and includes:

• time of Eucharistic focused prayer
• Live music
• original Sacred Art

Amy Brooks: Prayer Journaling Workshops, Confirmation Retreats and the Prayer Wine Chocolate Experience

“Amy’s contributions to the planning and execution of our Confirmation Candidate Retreat resulted in a spiritually enriching and very enjoyable Retreat Day for our seventh through ninth grade youth. Amy is gifted with creative genius and an energetic, joyful personality, which is captivating to both youth and adults.
I strongly recommend Amy as I am certain she will plan an excellent, unforgettable Retreat experience for you!“

–Sr. Kathleen Fitzpatrick, IHM 

The Power of Prayer and Prayer Journaling: a talk and experience for Catholic Adults

When I hit rock bottom, prayer journaling saved me.

Well, it was one of the things that saved me. I felt so alone. So sad. I wondered if God heard me. Reaching out to Him on paper made His love, His “realness” more real to me.

When there is no one around – Our Lord is still there. Writing Jesus letters in a notebook made my relationship more tangible.

I share the power of prayer with others now. Years later I witnessed an absolute miracle. God showed me that He does indeed hear our prayers.

Starting with this Spiritual Adoption Miracle, I assure others that God does hear what we say to Him in the silence of our hearts, in our persistent prayers and in our daily lives.

When I was in my mid-twenties, I often felt like I had nothing to look forward too

Then, a few friends and I would get together on Thursday nights – and during our small gathering, we would pray a Rosary.

I now had something to look forward to. I not only had friends coming over to give my loneliness a retrieve, but our prayer intentions and group Rosary gave me HOPE!

Hope is an incredible gift. Praying with others is so powerful. It’s also incredibly comforting.

These gatherings were the origin of Prayer Wine Chocolate. I share that with anyone and everyone who will listen.

After I share stories of hope and faith – and even some laughs, I help people start their own prayer journals.

Book a call with me here!

We can discuss a Live event, a virtual one or I can help you plan your own event!

Confirmation Retreats with Amy Brooks

Whether you need a DIY Guide or your are looking for a Keynote Speaker, I can help!

Today, more than ever, our children are searching for their identity.

Each of us are made in the image of God. God made every person unique and unrepeatable.

His plans for every single soul are incredible, meaningful and spectacular.

My books, Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls and Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys are made for the age where your children are growing into adulthood. It’s a confusing time – it has always been a confusing stage of life. Our children are witnessing more confusion and mixed messages than we could have imagined.

Our Lord has a clear message to them and I am here simply to be His mic – maybe His bullhorn.

I would love to visit your parish and speak to both the students and their parents!

If you would like help planning a retreat – take a look at my digital guides:

From God’s Plan to Your Plan: a Bible Study for Boys

and the Be Yourself: Journal Club Guide

These guides give you the freedom and flexibility to plan more than one event – or the inspiration to choose activities and reflections for a one day retreat.

Where can I find more Catholic Speakers?

There are incredible Catholics sharing inspirational stories all over the U.S. and beyond.

Find Catholic Speakers and more over at catholicinfluencers.com

The post Catholic Speakers Bring Experiences as well as Inspiration to Your Parish appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Catholic Girls’ Club for Tweens is Here!

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you have seen the Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls, you probably were reminded of teen magazines and fun activities girls in 7th grade would have enjoyed back in – oh, 1987?

Many pages of the journal are meant to be shared.

The adolescent girl is very social, so creating a resource for her that celebrates and incorporates that into the book was a high priority for me.

The book also invites the girls to write in private, but giving them a fun way to open the book and get started just seemed like the perfect idea.

The Be Yourself Journal Club: a Guide for Parents and Teachers.

Now, only available in the Catholic Mom Back to School Bundle!

The Be Yourself Journal Club Guide is a tool for parents, teachers and youth ministers who want young girls to get the most out of the Be Yourself Journal.

This guide uses a group setting for young peers to complete many of the activities that are in Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls. This guide will help the girls “jump-start” their journal in a way that is exciting, fun and meaningful.

The Be Yourself Journal Club Guide provides five (5) meeting agendas. Each agenda will direct the adult leaders on which activities to focus on, what supplies to have ready, how to run the meeting that includes prompts for discussions.

A Be Yourself Journal Club can have 2 to 12 attendees! Small groups are great for these meetings, so ideal group size is around 8 girls.

Need a copy of the girl’s Be Yourself Journal? Get it here!

This Catholic Tween Girls’ Club – The Be Yourself Journal Club – will allow pre-teen girls to get excited about God’s plan and mission that is uniquely her own!

The Be Yourself Journal Club is organized in a way that the group will meet together on 5 (five) separate occasions. You can get the entire guide in the Back to School Catholic Mom Bundle!!!

Theme for 1st Meeting: You are Unique and Unrepeatable

The first night (or day) will be the day each girl decorates the back cover of their book. This meeting will be much like a fun scrapbooking party!

Supplies needed: A Be Yourself Journal for each club member, holy cards, scrapbooking paper, washi tape, Catholic stickers, a speaker/ radio,/computer for Christian music to be played.

Optional item: Nail Rack to display Catholic Stickers

You can see more about how this looks here: A Must Have at Your Next Catholic Retreat: Introducing the Catholic Sticker Bar

Theme for 2nd Meeting: God’s Love and Expectations

The second meeting will start with a fun game of “Would You Rather” that is a page in the journal. Girls will learn or re-learn that the Lord created the whole world for us to enjoy, but in turn, we are to offer all back to Him. Saints Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresa of Calcutta will offer the girls practical advice through letters and the girls will enjoy another scrapbooking activity – this time with pictures of themselves and their loved ones!

Supplies needed: The girls should have their journals at every meeting. Printed pictures/photographs of each girl with loved ones and friends. Pictures with just one other person are best (take some pictures during the first meeting and have them printed and available this meeting, but tell the girls to bring photos too!!); gel pens, washi tape, scrapbooking paper and scissors.

Theme for Meeting 3: Prayer

The third meeting will discuss prayer. The variety of ways people pray will be discussed. The importance of gratitude will be stressed. Girls will walk in hearing the Gregorian Chant in the background, they will take a “Prayer Style” quiz and they will design a prayer room!

Supplies needed: Home decor ads, glue, scissors, pencils, colored pencils, home decor scrapbooking stickers, gel pens, markers, cozy home stickers, furniture stickers from Etsy, etc.

Stained glass scrapbooking paper might be fun!

These stickers might be fun to have on hand too!

Theme for 4th Meeting: Feelings and Faves

This meeting will start with a prayer and a discussion around the idea and feeling of “peace”.

Girls will name songs that they think sound peaceful. Saint Katharine Drexel’s advice “Peacefully do at each moment what needs to be done” will be discussed. Leaders will guide a dialogue around the topics of hurt feelings and forgiveness. The meeting will end with a collage making activity – praying for their favorite celebs!

Supplies needed: Magazines with popular singers, actors, etc., glue, Taylor Swift stickers?, Leaders may want to ask girls about favorite movies, musicians etc. the first night and see if you can find any magazines or go on Etsy and look for stickers featuring their favorites.

Theme for 5th and Final Meeting: Talents, Gifts and Discovering God’s Mission

The girls will be able to talk about activities they enjoy, sports or skills they would like to try one day, and how they may discover hidden talents throughout their lives. A letter from The Little Flower, Saint Therese’, will remind them that what is most important are not great deeds, but great love.

The meeting will end with a fun “scavenger” hunt that is a page within the journal. Making bracelets optional.

Supplies needed: Be Yourself Journals for each girl in attendance, gel pens, markers, colored pencils, individually wrapped bubble gum pieces and individually wrapped hard candy, band-aids, dollar store lipstick, stickers and small stones (all of these are a part of the “scavenger hunt”!)

Do you want the guide? The only way to get the guide is through the Catholic Mom Bundle – get it today!

Would you like extra help or for me to come and visit your group? Book a call here!

The post Catholic Girls’ Club for Tweens is Here! appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Do you and your friends enjoy prayer, wine and chocolate?!

For those of you who have a great appreciation for getting together with friends that share your love for Christ, here are some great gift ideas!

A Prayer Wine Chocolate Wine Tumbler

What’s an outdoor party without a wine tumbler to keep a drink fresh and at just the right temperature? Forget breakable glasses—give this uniquely shaped wine tumbler a chance and have fun with friends without worry.

The best part about this wine tumbler is that it has the potential to inspire a conversation about prayer and faith – over a relaxed atmosphere!

Wine tumblers are available in pink and purple!

These tumblers are perfect for outdoor parties and BYOB events!

Prayer Wine Chocolate Sweatshirts

My sister-in-law Maria bought one of these recently and says she LOVES IT! Then she followed up with, “seriously, it’s my favorite sweatshirt – it is sooo comfy!”

You can totally rock this classic sweatshirt silhouette with ribbed crew neck, long sleeve cuffs, and a flat hem. Layer it up or wear it on its own for a contemporary streetwear look. With the soft fleece inside and comfortable fit, it’s sure to become your favorite everyday sweater right away!

Navy is a favorite color!

Prayer Wine Chocolate Hooded Sweatshirt

I have one of these Prayer Wine Chocolate hoodies and I absolutely love it – I think it’s because the pouch is the perfect place to put my phone when I’m busy with so many other things!

The hoodie is soft and the warm hood is such a gift on chilly evenings – even in the summer!

Host a Prayer Wine Chocolate Event!!!

Prayer, Wine, Chocolate started as a Rosary night in my apartment when I was single. Years later the name “Prayer Wine Chocolate” came up when the women that I had prayed with for years (over wine and chocolate) were talking about all our answered prayers – and saying jokingly, we should write a book. We wondered, what would we call it?” And someone said, “Prayer Wine Chocolate” (instead of Eat, Pray, Love)!

That name came to me as I began thinking about starting a blog – and here we are!

I created a DIY Digital Guide so you can start planning your own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat right away!

The guide covers 4 different types of “events” – some very low key, some more involved but all so much fun!!!

Recently a woman used this guide to start a regular prayer group in her parish!

Here is what she has to say about How to Plan Your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat Guidebook:

I just used Amy’s retreat guide to help me plan a mini retreat for the women in my parish. It was super easy to do following the guide and the response was incredible. For anyone who feels the pull of the Holy Spirit to plan something like this….Get the guide and DO IT!!!! Every single woman at the event said the same thing…We NEED this. I now have a team of women working on our next gathering.

Are you on the fence? Not sure you can do it without a little help?

I am here to help you get started!

You can book a 30 minute call with me and I’ll walk you through how I planned events that embraced our beautiful Catholic faith and invited women to enjoy praying together, sharing intentions and developing friendships strong in faith.

Do you want me to help you plan the event or come to speak at your parish, women’s group or school?

Let’s book a call and discuss available packages!

I’m still booking for 2023 and have already started booking 2024! Don’t delay, let’s talk today!

Would you like to shop some more? Browse the whole Prayer Wine Chocolate store!

The post The Prayer Wine Chocolate Gift Guide (for Catholic Women) appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Being an adolescent has NEVER been easy! Even Jesus confused HIS parents when He was 12!

We could spend our whole lives learning about our faith- and how it is a gift.

I don’t know about you, but I had a LOT of questions when I was in elementary school (back then it was 1st through 8th grade).

I wondered what I was supposed to think about when I prayed; what did Jesus expect from me; what did it mean for me to “be yourself”.

As years past, I came to realize that simply putting God first and trusting Him even when it didn’t make sense to me was exactly what God wanted from me.

Still, I wish I had known or heard some advice sooner.

Here’s some advice that could help your tween today (and tomorrow)!

5 Words of Advice Your Catholic Tween Needs to Hear

1. God does not want you to be stressed out.

Be still. We hear that Scripture verse often.

I have not heard the Scripture passage that reads “hustle until you completely burn out.” Have you?

Our children are searching for their gifts and talents.

That can be exhausting.

And even once they find their talents, those gifts are there so that they can strive for Sainthood in a unique and unrepeatable way. Once those gifts and talents become heavy and burdensome, Our Lord Jesus has very specific instructions:

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,^* and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Mother Teresa said “Never worry about numbers, help one person at a time and start with the person closest to you.”

Saint Katharine Drexel advised, “peacefully do at each moment what needs to be done.”

When stress comes, our children need to remember that they are loved more than they can imagine, simply because God made her His daughter (or made him His son).

Let’s make sure we are sending that message. Grades and success have their place, but we must love God with all our soul, all our heart and all our mind – that is what is most important.

Trust in the Lord.

2. One of your greatest and most important responsibilities is to avoid sin.

Saint Maria Goretti’s mother taught her to avoid sin at all costs. She knew that sin is so bad for us!

It’s common to speak about what foods are healthy and unhealthy in our culture. We are very aware that there are things that are “good for us” and things that are “bad for us”. But this is not just true for our bodies, it’s also true when it comes to our souls.

Sin is bad for you. Sin is bad for all of us.

As parents, we stress that choices are important. We may say, don’t do that – it’s hurtful to others or it offends God. But sin is also, simply put, bad for us too.

3. You are not meant to be friends with everyone.

Saint Francis de Sales gives this advice:

“Love everyone with a deep love based on charity,… but form friendships only with those who can share virtuous things with you.”

C.S. Lewis wrote a book titled The Four Loves. In it, he names and describes 4 types of love (affection, friendship, eros and charity). Of friendship, he says this:

“our ancestors regarded friendship as something that raised us almost above humanity. . . . It is the sort of love one can imagine between angels.”

His words are in agreement with Saint Francis with DeSales. C.S. Lewis describes:

“the little pockets of early Christians survived because they cared exclusively for the love of ‘the brethren’ and stopped their ears to the opinion of Pagan society all round them. But a circle of criminals, cranks or perverts survives in just the same way; by becoming deaf to the opinion of the outer world . . .”

Recommended books for tween and young teen boys: Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys and books from Voyage Comics and Publishing.

4. You need to be intentional about thanking God often.

“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

We tell our children to “say thank you” all.the.time! But most of the time, it’s to another person.

A wise friend once shared a practice he had with me. He told me, “before I get out of bed in the morning, I thank God for my spouse” … something like that. After he told me that, I decided that I was going to make that a practice of mine too.

More about that conversation in the post 3 Ways to Awaken the Saint Within You

Obviously, your tween doesn’t have a spouse. But I also got some great wisdom once from Gianna Emmanuela Mola (Saint Gianna’s daughter).

I had the opportunity to speak with her after a talk she gave at a local parish. I could not believe how much her father suffered – even after the death of her “Saint mother” as she calls her. Did you know shortly after Gianna’s death, her 6 year old daughter also passed away? My heart ached when I heard that. Yet, Gianna Emmanuela’s talk spoke of how her father taught her to always be so grateful to God.

I asked, “How?, How after all that, can you still be grateful in those moments of such anguish”?

She took a deep breath (the kind people take when they are shocked you just said that out loud) and responded, “I THANK GOD FOR EVERY BREATH I TAKE!”

(read more about this at 5 Lessons I Learned from the Daughter of a Saint)

5. Believe in miracles. Believe in the power of prayer. Never give up on hope.

One quote that I made sure was in both the boy’s and girl’s Be Yourself Journals was this one:

“I plead with you–never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”

Saint Pope John Paul II

We know that life often has disappointments. A tween or young teen is still new to all types of rejection.

Encountering heartache and failure is a normal part of life – but our kids need to learn how to cope with it when it comes along.

This is where faith is truly a gift.

When she doesn’t get a part in the play or he doesn’t make the team, we need to help them practice positive “self-talk”. We need to encourage them to pray about what is on their minds and hearts. We want them to look forward with hope and not to fall into despair. This is so important and needs to be taught over and over again. I love the wisdom attributed to Saint Teresa Avila:

“We pay God a compliment when we ask big things of Him.”

When our children are struggling with math or lost the past 5 wrestling or tennis matches, it is a great gift to encourage them to go to God with this suffering. The more our children go to God in prayer, the stronger their faith will grow. As adults, this faith will be priceless.

These words of advice are from the Be Yourself Journals!

Do you want your tween to hear these words over and over again? Share them and give them a copy of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls or Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys.

The post 5 Words of Advice Your Catholic Tween Needs to Hear appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Unicorns, rainbows, strawberries and stickers – from the time I was a little girl – and even still, these things bring me a joyful smile and a happy heart.

There is wonder to be enjoyed this time of year no matter what age you are . . . and these gifts bring me back to the magic of it all.

I have found myself seeking the perfect gift for my best friend’s daughter – she is in 7th grade and is receiving her Confirmation this week.

My daughter is 5 and I have a bunch of nieces.

I have a wish list too – plus, I love buying gifts for my family this time of year.

So on my search I have found some fun finds – and I just had to share them with you!

Colorful Fruits and the Holy Spirit are always in Fashion

Okay, I have found a Catholic Sticker that I love, a shirt that is the perfect Confirmation or Christmas gift for a Catholic tween and blankets that are cute and cozy all in the same shop. That shop – Stump of Jesse!

This Holy Spirit sticker – I’m buying several!

I am giving that sticker and this tee to the beautiful 12 year old I know who is getting Confirmed this week. I might be getting one of these Fruits of the Holy Spirit tees for her Mama too! I mean, I want one

And before we go onto the next shop and basket of ideas – can we talk about these blankets?????

I have had my eye on the Saint Clare one for awhile (I was a sponsor to a beautiful young woman who chose Saint Clare for her Confirmation saint a couple years ago). Now, I just discovered this Pop of Flowers blanket and I’m loving that you can literally wrap yourself or someone else in prayer in it!

Please, go browse this shop and tell me what you think (yes, you can comment below!!!)!

Cozy Cuddles, Coloring + Cocoa are not just a treat for Little Girls

My daughter and I often sit on the couch and color together. It’s one of my favorite things!

We are both totally into it. It’s so wonderful to get cozy under a blanket, have a mug of a hot beverage and color! (Or an adult beverage in your Prayer Wine Chocolate Tumbler)

I mean, these mugs form With a Joyful Heart make me want to make Hot Chocolate right now!

If you want more fun Catholic blankets to choose from – definitely check out this Pop of Flowers blanket and Blessed Be God Boutique. While your there, grab a mug for your coffee or tea – or hot cocoa!

Looking for some coloring pages? I have ones that are perfect for adults and kids!

The Be Yourself Coloring pages have inspiring quotes, Scripture passages and even prayers – and the designs look very similar to popular adult coloring books. We print them out often in this house – for me and the kids!

You can give these as a gift by printing them out and putting them in a binder. Add colored pencils and gel pens – maybe even a few stickers – and it’s a really fun present!

If you have a daughter, niece, sister or Godchild between the ages of 10 and 13 – definitely give her the Be Yourself Journal if she doesn’t have it yet! It is made for her!!!

Now, more than ever, we must help our daughters see themselves as God made them – beautiful, unique, unrepeatable and not one hair on her head was a mistake! The Be Yourself Journal celebrates those truths and the Truth!

Stay extra warm in your Prayer Wine Chocolate hoodie!

(Don’t want a hood, no problem, get this sweatshirt!)

Don’t forget to throw on your PRAY HOPE AND DON’T WORRY socks while you relax on the couch!

Catholic Rainbows and Unicorns both new and nostalgic

My daughter is only 5, so toys are still very much an exciting part of our lives. I am so excited about Shining Light Dolls new Saint Justina of Padua and Unicorn Wooden Set!

If you shop from Shining Light Dolls, use the coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE for 10% off!

St. Justina of Padua was a young woman that lived around the turn of the 4^th century in Padua, Italy. From childhood, Justina had a deep love of Jesus and wanted to live the life of a religious. In traditional Christian art, St. Justina is portrayed with a unicorn, which is a symbol of her purity and virtue. She is the patron saint of Padua, Italy.

You can also get this Unicorn prints for room decor!

If you want to see more Catholic Toys, definitely check out this new post: The Catholic Toy Shops are Rockin’ 2022!

All the rainbows please!

Cuddle under the blankets on the couch with a rainbow Rosary you keep inside a rainbow rosary pouch.

Cover your journal in Catholic rainbow stickers.

Rainbow stickers are so fun!!! Sweet Little Ones shop has RAINBOW ROSARY stickers!!!

Don’t forget all the sparkles (Catholic jewelry)

And last but not least, my daughter, sister, sister-in-law and me all love Telos Jewelry!!!

I could go on, but I must start actually shopping myself!

Happy Shopping! God Bless You!

The post Catholic Gifts for the Young and the Young at Heart appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Up for a dare?

I dare you to give a Catholic gift to at least 5 people you are shopping for this year!

Let’s really keep Christ in Christmas.

Let’s put our money where are hearts are – in gifts that will bring our loved ones closer to Christ through prayer!

Catholic Gifts for Men

A Modern Bible

The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension Press

My husband has a Bible because his Aunt Betty Ann, who happens to be a Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, gave us one for a wedding gift.

Chances are, your husband, dad or brother hasn’t owned a Bible since – maybe high school? Get him this Bible that goes along with the amazing Bible in a Year podcast.

A Masculine Rosary

A WWI Battle Beads Rosary by Rugged Rosaries

My husband and son both have a set of these and really like them.

A Catholic French Press and Catholic Coffee

My husband loves God and coffee. I am so excited to give him some gifts from Catholic Coffee for Christmas this year!

(If you purchase from them, use the coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE and get 15%off!)

Catholic Coffee’s branding and products are just spot on when it comes to the modern Catholic man.

The Catholic Coffee logo is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It’s simple, beautiful and inspiring.

Each coffee flavor is named after a Saint and the artwork that represents each Saint is extremely impressive.

I am super excited to gift my husband The French Press!

I shared a gift set from this company on Facebook, and my friend’s husband told his wife that he wants one of the gift sets for Christmas!!!

Catholic Coffee has mugs, coffee inspired by different Saints and now – K-cups too! This gift (or gifts) will make those Catholic men in your life jolly this Christmas!

Catholic Mugs

In Catholicism the pint the pipe and the cross can all come together – G.K. Chesterton 

Catholic gifts for men can be really fun!

The G.K. Chesterton Stein Mug is a unique, masculine and honestly cool Catholic gift!

Give it with some beer and treats made by monks to make this gift “super-Catholic”!

The G.K. Chesterton Stein Mug is a brand new gift idea here this year and I love it!!!

Catholic Coffee has several mugs that will please your caffeine enthusiast!

Don’t forget to use the coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE for 15% off!

Would you like to see more Catholic Gift ideas for men? Check out Catholic Gifts for Men (2022)

Catholic Gifts for Women

Catholic Accessories

This silk Catholic Scarf from Studio Senn is lovely! I’ve been wearing mine tied on my purse (inspired by a catalog cover) and I just love it! It has been such a conversation piece too. The Pelican in Piety scarf combines the sacred symbol of a Pelican with fun florals to create a bold and beautiful statement piece!

I’ve been wearing my scarf by having it tied to my purse!

Catholic Mugs and Coffee too!

I love coffee – and I pick the same mugs to drink it from over and over again every morning. I love tall Coffee Mugs! I have two (yes 2) from The Little Rose Shop!

I highly recommend giving the Morning Offering Coffee Cup to a woman you love this Christmas!

I honestly love The Little Rose Shop! There are so many cute mugs, soft and beautiful Catholic blankets, Catholic tees and more! Trust me, you’ve got to go check out this shop!

And don’t forget to give some Coffee from Catholic Coffee too!

use the coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE and get 15%off!)

Catholic Tea

Do you have women on your list that are more interested in enjoying a hot cup of tea than a coffee? This just in — Sacred Heart Tea!!!

I am just loving how Our Lord’s Sacred Heart keeps showing up on this gift guide!!!

Lots of options – including black tea, green tea, organic, herbal and more! This is a new shop for me and I’m loving this option! Not everyone is a coffee drinker – for the Tea Sipping Catholics – check out Sacred Heart Tea!

A Prayer Wine Chocolate Sweatshirt and Wine Tumbler

Yes, these products just hit my own shop and I am so excited! I shared the wine tumblers on Facebook and one friend said, “I feel like this is about time!” Haha! Long overdue!

Get one for you and one for a friend this year! For the wine tumblers, two colors are available (purple and rose’ pink).

I love my Prayer Wine Chocolate hoodie (mine is black) – probably because of the pocket in the front – perfect for my cell phone!

I also have a few Prayer Wine Chocolate sweatshirts and I wear them often! I love comfy clothes.

If you have a friend who loves being Catholic, but really doesn’t enjoy wine – here’s an alternative sweatshirt: States of Faith by Catholic Concepts

Add NO SHOW SOCKS from Sock Religious!!! I love my Padre Pio ones and I can’t wait to get more! My favorites are the Come Holy Spirit and Saint Joan of Arc pairs!

Catholic Jewelry

A Miraculous Medal Necklace (like this one from Boho Handmaids)

Stud earrings from 12th and Blossom

Our friends at Telos Art are offering a special sale right now.

Highly recommended: One or two necklaces from this shop! The cameos are making a huge impression this year!

Best gift award: The Quarterly Subscription Box

I don’t think I need to write words here – just go look at it . . . I think you’ll agree!

Today through Sunday, November 27 all orders receive an automatic 15% discount.

Orders $150+ also automatically receive free First Class shipping.

Telos Art Jewelry is beautiful, definitely browse the pieces and gift a few!

A Catholic Planner

I’ve been using the Catholic Mothers Planner for a couple years now and this year – I wrote a reflection in the 2023 Catholic Mothers Planner

A Journaling Kit

If the woman you are shopping for loves to prayer journal or bible journal, definitely get her some gifts from Open Journey!

Open Journey, a branch of Ingrid Art Studio, features faith and inspirational art, creative Bible journaling and Bible study kits and devotionals.

A Plan to Pray Together More!

I hear women often saying they wish they had “more Catholic friends”. Nurture the friendships you have and watch the joy of Christ spread to others! Gift a friend a How to Plan Your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat Guide and make a commitment to make praying together a regular event! Add a wine tumbler and a Rosary to make this the best gift ever!

More ideas for women? Check out: 5 Simple Gifts Catholic Women Love

Catholic Gifts for Children

A Play Nativity Set

The best way to keep Christ in Christmas with children is to give them toys about the true event! Both Shining Light Dolls and Saintly Heart have toy Nativity Sets!

The Shining Light Dolls Nativity Set (use coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE for 10% off) is so cute and conforms to all ASTM standards for toy safety. It’s perfect for children as young as 18 months but will be enjoyed for years into childhood!

My 10 year old son put the Saintly Heart Nativity Set on his Christmas wish list!

These play Nativity sets will sell out! Please do not wait to order them!

Toys from Shining Light Dolls

When I was 11 years old the one toy I wanted for Christmas was a soft, stuffed bear. I still remember how happy I was to get that! So, if your daughter is growing out of the toy stage – help her hang on a little more with a Shining Light Doll plush. They are so cute! And these presents really are enjoyed by little girls of all ages.

For the little ones, definitely check out the new wooden toys which include Saint George and a dragon and Saint Justine and a Unicorn!

Comic Books from Voyage Comics

This shop serves boys to men! The mission of Voyage Comics is to create exceptional entertainment, informed by Catholic values, that inspires people to live a heroic life. Through our products, we seek to advance the truth, beauty and goodness found in powerful stories.

Wooden Play Sets and Catholic Bath Toys from Saintly Heart

Saintly Heart makes toys and gifts for children of all ages! Teethers for babies, wooden toys for toddlers, pre-schoolers and elementary aged kids that love to use their imagination!

I have bought several of these toys as gifts and they are so loved by the children and their parents! Definitely grab some and have fun giving them!

Don’t forget to add some fun socks! My 10 year old, after looking through the “A Very Catholic Christmas Catalog” listed several pairs! His wish list included the Nativity Socks and the Saint Benedict socks. We love Sock Religious!

Catholic Gifts for Tweens and Teens

If your child has been asking for a smart phone or Apple Watch – I have a great alternative for you.

The Gabb Watch or Smart Phone!

Gabb Phones have an innovative spam filter for texting, no internet browser, no social media apps, no app store, and no games.

Kids are protected from falling prey to sexual predators, stumbling on explicit content, being victims of cyberbullying, or becoming screen addicted.

This is a gift your older child will love – and that you will feel more comfortable giving.

Gabb is currently running a great offer – a free device with a 2-year contract PLUS a free accessory with each device!

Catholic Books that make Fantastic Gifts

Voyage Comics, Ascension Press and Our Sunday Visitor all produce amazing books for Catholics of all ages.

The Be Yourself Journal for Catholic Girls continues to impress and delight!

A recent review from Amazon gave it another 5 STARS and reads:

“I got this journal for my niece. When I looked through the pages I was blown away by the beautiful artwork, the varied faith activities, and just how fun it looked. My niece is going to love this so much. It is the best Christmas gift she will get. It will help her in her faith formation, get her to be more introspective, and best of all keep her off the hours of TV. I love this. Definitely will be back for more products.“

Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Boys has also received some recent positive reviews. One customer stated on Amazon:

“Simply beautiful and inspiring. Beautifully achieved. I want to give one to every young man I know. “

Still want more gift ideas? Download A Very Catholic Christmas Gift Guide!

Book suggestions for younger Catholic girls: Women Doctors of the Church and Molly McBride and the Party Invitation.

For Boys ages 8 and up: Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys; The Great Adventure Kids Catholic Bible Chronicles and Donuts After Mass: a Tale of Walking with Jesus

For younger boys: My First Interactive Mass Book, Holy Mysteries: 12 Investigations into Extraordinary Cases and My Catholic Picture Bible.

Enter the Giveaway and you could win:

A Plush Doll from Shining Light Dolls

A comic book from Voyage Comics

A silk scarf from Studio Senn

Saint Nicholas coffee from Catholic Coffee

A Coffee mug from The Little Rose Shop

A Catholic Mothers Planner from Ascension Press

My First Interactive Mass Book by Jennifer Sharpe from Ascension Press

A pair of socks from Sock Religious

A How To Plan Your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat Guide (Digital)

A beautiful piece of Catholic jewelry

Tea from Sacred Heart Tea

Saint Wine Charms from Madonna Rose

Surprise gifts from a Catholic Etsy shop and more!

The post The Best Catholic Christmas Gifts to Give in 2022 (Gift Guide and Giveaway!) appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

“They are all confused”.

This was what a former student of mine, who now teaches middle school, said to me recently about her students.

It is completely normal for a child going through adolescence to be confused about who they are.

It was confusing in the 1980’s and 1990’s- I vividly remember that.

It seems like the confusion has accelerated immensely in recent years.

My former student agrees.

We want our daughters to be comfortable and confident to just be themselves . . . but:

We can’t tell a 12 year old girl to “just be yourself” and walk away.

Most 12 year-olds are wondering who they are!

We can help them to discover her identity in Christ.

How?

By answering these questions – even if we haven’t heard our children ask them out loud.

Question: Is my gender a mistake?

Answer: No. God made you on purpose, with a purpose and nothing that God has ever created was, is or will be a mistake.

“One has to be content with what has been assigned him by heaven” (Jn. 3:27)*

Remind and reassure your daughter that she was created out of pure love by God the Father.

God gave her a specific body and that body is . . .

“a window into the depth of the person who is inescapably male or female. We can think of the body as a compass which points us toward love—both the love which is our origin and the love which fulfills us. After all, “it is not good for the man to be alone”

(Gen. 2:18): (from Focus article on the Catholic Church and gender)

Tell her she is unique and unrepeatable.

Assure her that God has a plan and mission for her. We need to tell her that she should pray often; giving thanks to Our Lord and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Question: Do my actions really matter? How important is it for me to obey the Commandments and go to Mass?

Answer: Little acts of faith done are really important.

“If we are faithful in little, we will obtain grace for the big.“

Saint Katharine Drexel

We need to stress how important little acts of faith are in our daily lives.

I am a firm believer that every young person should watch the original Karate Kid movie.

When Daniel finally confronts Mr. Miyagi about painting the fence, sanding the floor, waxing the cars, and all the other chores he felt were “pointless” he quickly realizes that those acts were not in vain.

Daniel was being trained to defend himself physically.

Our little acts of faith allow our soul to be trained.

God does not want to cause stress in our lives.

God wants us to be faithful in the little so we will have grace for the big stuff.

Our Lord wants us to help one person at a time, and start with the person closest to us.

God wants us to enjoy His creation and smile at others. He desires our hearts and our trust.

Question: Did God give me any talents? OR Why would God give me this talent?

Answer: Yes, God gives everyone special talents. God gives us talents so that we can grow to closer to Him and serve others.

“So let your light shine before your fellow men . . .”

It is totally fine if you don’t yet know what talents He has given you.

It is totally fine if you can’t imagine how your talent could help another person. One day it will be revealed to you… until then, work honestly and diligently.

Question: Why can’t I be friends with so and so – God says to love everyone!!!

Answer: It’s okay to not be friends with everyone. In fact, you are not meant to be friends with all of your peers.

“Love everyone with a strenuous love based on charity, but form friendships only with those who can share virtuous things with you.”

– St. Francis de Sales

God doesn’t want you to be friends with everyone.

Yes, you are to love others. Yes, you are to show kindness and compassion. But friendship is a special gift for a few people.

Do not let popularity become a god.

Many teens make being liked or popular such a priority that God’s voice becomes distant and difficult to hear.

We need to stress the need to stay close to Him and make His will their top priority.

Get a copy of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls here.

Question: How do I love myself?

Answer: Take care of yourself. Care for both your body and your soul.

Self-care and self-love includes taking care of your soul.

“You have a soul, be careful with it.”

-Chris Pratt, actor

Discuss Spiritual health.

We often speak about what is good for the body (veggies) and not good (junk food, drugs, etc.)

We should not forget to tell our children that sin is bad for them!

We need to teach them that it is critical for them to avoid sin. If she does not know if something is a sin or not… she should ask you! And chances are if she “doesn’t know” it’s probably not the best choice.
Our souls need to be cared for just like our bodies.

Want more advice like this? I recommend reading “How To Talk To Your Tween (or Teen) About Sex”

What would you add? How can we help young girls “Be who God meant them to be and set the world ablaze “!?

If you want your daughter to grow in her relationship with God and get to know herself while having fun, I recommend giving her a copy of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls!

Want to know when more resources, books, lesson plans and Bible studies become available? Sign up for the Prayer Wine Chocolate Newsletter today!

*Found this in an incredible book given to me recently: My Other Self – the copy I have was published in the 1950’s, but it was recently re-published and is great for reminding us as adults who God has called us to be and how God is calling us to think and live.

The post Your Catholic Daughter Has Questions; Here are the Answers appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What do Catholic women really want?

Yes, we definitely want prayers! We so appreciate prayers! We also enjoy time praying and socializing together (which is why I’m organizing another Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat and making it possible for women everywhere to host their own Retreats)!

But . . . we also like gifts that help us stay close to God and find joy in the little things!

Here are a few ideas the next time you are shopping for a Catholic friend!

Catholic Mugs . . .Big Catholic Mugs

I love the little things!

I especially love Catholic mugs! They have to big on the bigger size though (15 ounces please!).

This Morning Offering Mug is definitely on my wish list!

Also, this watercolor Hail Mary mug . . .

Both of these mugs are from The Little Rose Shop – which has quite a few awesome mugs I recommend you check out!

Pretty and Practical Catholic Apparel

I’ve had my eyes on Sock Religous’ NO SHOW socks for a while now. I think my top three favorites are the Saint Joan of Arc socks, *****Padre Pio socks**** (color is perfect for Fall- YES PLEASE) and then I think it’s a tie between the Come Holy Spirit Socks and the St. Patrick ones! I love a practical gift that adds faith and fun!

Catholic Tees and Sweatshirts

I love the look of this shirt and the Saint quote on it: The World is Thy Ship Not Thy Home Tee made by Petite Fleur Studios. I can totally picture wearing this under an open flannel in the Fall! I also love the white sweatshirt version of this tee!

I’m also loving Sweet Little Ones long sleeve tee and short sleeve tee quoting Saint Catherine Laboure with “We must see God in everyone”!

Catholic Jewelry

I always wear a Miraculous Medal necklace. This practice started shortly after I started this blog! I researched the Miraculous Medal for a post, and discovered how incredible graces are given to those who wear this medal around your neck (here’s the post from years ago: Why I Wear a Miraculous Medal)

It can be fun to change up this necklace once in a while – and if I’m being perfectly honest, my younger children often contribute to me changing it up. My necklace often gets pulled – sometimes yanked – off my neck.

So, I’m thinking this beaded one is so pretty and would be a beautiful piece to have to wear! I’d definitely want those cute pink earrings with it too :).

I need a new jewelry box. Since I don’t wear a ton of accessories, this jewelry box leatherette from Telos has caught my eye. I love the blush color option.

Catholic Earrings

Although I am not really a big jewelry person, I have found a new love for earrings. Here are a few Catholic earrings I would love to wear from Pink Salt Riot:

Fantastically You Lace Earrings in Evergreen

Peacock Fan Tassel Earrings

Peridot Druzy Earrings and all the druzy earrings! Plus those butterfly wing earrings – so many great choices!!!

More Catholic Gifts for Women

I could list my favorites all day! I hope you’ll remember these next time a special woman in your life has a birthday or on a day you just want to say, “I’m thinking of you – and God loves you”!

Corda Candles

Catholic Phone Cases

Catholic zipper pouches/ make-up bags

Catholic bags

What would you add? Tell me in the comments – it won’t be long before I’m gathering ideas for Christmas gift guides! Help me stay in the loop – what Catholic gifts do you LOVE?

Don’t forget to plan time to pray with friends!

The post 5 Simple Gifts Catholic Women Love appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.