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.

Catholic Christians believe that God made each and every one of us unique and unrepeatable.

No one is a mistake.

No one’s gender is a mistake.

In fact, we believe in the beauty and wonder of God’s creation and that our bodies and our souls reflect .

Our culture is sending out a ton of messages that girls are hearing as young as age 4.

Some messages are not bad. Kindness, compassion and loving ones neighbor is certainly valued by both our society and our religion.

Some messages are confusing and quite misleading.

As a mother of a young Catholic daughter, I hope to cultivate a place in my daughter’s heart that will allow the seed of faith to take root so that she can remain in Jesus her whole life.

I want my Catholic daughter to see value in virtue.

I want her to find comfort in prayer and the Sacraments.

I want us both to go to heaven, and while we are striving to make it there, I was us to experience awe and wonder of our great God!

As someone who worked with young people since college – as a camp counselor and an educator – I can say with confidence this – I understand the adolescent age group well.

They are pure. They have huge dreams for the world to be a better place. They want to be loved. They long for approval. They want to feel respected and admired.

When we are thinking about giving them gifts this season, here is what I suggest.

Catholic Girls and Christmas: What to Give and Why

1.Give Longer Moments of Undivided Attention

It may sound cheesy, but even though girls act like they want to be treated like an “independant woman”, they really crave our eye contact, our active and engaged listening, our smiles, compliments and yes – even hugs!

Why?

Daughters want to hear stories from their moms (and dad’s) lives!

When I interviewed a Chastity speaker for the article How to Talk to Your Catholic Tween About Sex, this advice was given with great conviction:

Katelyn D’Adamo, Director of Generation Life, also wants you the parent to know, your child wants to hear from YOU! Generation Life speakers go into classrooms and discuss Chastity and find this truth over and over again. The students want to hear from their parents. It might be awkward, but young children will appreciate that you had the courage to speak with them about this topic.

*Camp mugs are fun to give and yes, I love that there is a cute, Catholic option. . . . but there’s something deeper here.

There’s 2. Your daughter might have outgrown tea parties, but she has not outgrown one on one time with you. Whether it’s mugs with hot chocolate and a promise of a date in the kitchen, or a gift card to Starbucks, this gift can have a beautiful memory attached too.

2. Give Advice They Can Use

Have you ever heard a piece of advice and thought, “I wish I heard this YEARS ago?!”

That’s how I felt when I heard this quote from Mother (now Saint) Teresa:

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”

As a young girl I often questioned God’s will and purpose for me. I didn’t realize the importance and significance of little acts of love.

One of my favorite pages in the girl’s Be Yourself Journal has this quote in the middle of a practically blank page.

The directions on this page encourage the owner to make a collage around the quote of pictures of her and one other person.

There is plenty of room for her to create a “scrapbook-like” page featuring herself with friends and family members!

This fun activity is meant to remind young girls that God sees incredible beauty in little acts of love…

That little things often are really quite significant.

If you have a pre-teen or young teen daughter/niece/Goddaughter or sister, consider giving them
a fun mini Instant camera,

These mini-cameras are on lots of gift guides for teens and tweens!

Give a camera and a journal, and put a bookmark or sticker in this page! She’ll have a great time with your gift and you gave her some great advice that will save her from some unnecessary stress in life!

3. Give Trendy Styles with a Catholic or Christian Twist

The mini cameras are on lots of gift guides this year. I highly suggest giving this camera with the girl’s Be Yourself Journal so they have a place to put the pictures they take and channel that energy into a fruitful, learning opportunity!

Another gift guide I was looking at under the “Girl/Teen Gift Guide” category for this year listed:

“Zodiac perfect tiny stud” earings.

There are plenty of cute stud earrings that have a Christian message that girls will love!

Love these ones from Pink Salt Riot:

Light of the World acrylic stud earrings

White Heart Acrylic Post earrings

Unicorn Stud Earrings

Gold Cross Stud Earrings

Silver Moon Studs

4. Give a journal

Every gift guide I see for this age group suggests a journal.

Having taught 7 through 12th graders I can assure you, many times they have NO IDEA WHAT TO WRITE!

This doesn’t mean journals are not a good idea – on the contrary, journals are a great idea and getting our daughters to get in the practice of keeping a journal will help them have a richer prayer life and greater success in life.

I was on a business call recently and a woman who I was talking to about business tips and help held up her journal and said something about journaling. I told her that I have some Advent journal prompts for her if she was interested and what she said next I have to share with you . . .

She said:

“I have never been a journaler, but every successful person I follow on social media seems to journal and recommends it, so I am going to try it.”

We need to encourage our girls to journal. But let’s make sure they know the most important person we need to bring our thoughts, fears, feelings and aspirations too . . . Our Lord Jesus.

5. Give Girls Cozy and Comfy Gifts

They might feel to old to ask for stuffed animals – or maybe you have just banned anymore from coming into your house – but that desire for something soft and huggable – does it really ever go away?

I am going to say as a grown woman – no, it does not lol!

Most girls and women love a cozy throw blanket.

Depending on the girl you are shopping for style, she might like the one pictured above or

This one from Rakstar Designs: Catholic Fleece Blanket

Or this Tapestry Blanket from Pink Salt Riot: You Are Tapestry

Let’s not forget the comfort of prayer.

A prayer journal, a Rosary, even a Miraculous Medals necklace – these things can and will bring comfort when held and used.

Want more ideas?

I have more ideas over at Spiritual Stocking Stuffers: Catholic Edition

Want Catholic gift ideas for the whole family? Check out this list!

The post Catholic Girls and Christmas: What to Give and Why 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.

The Perfect Catholic Mini-Retreat for Tween Girls

If you are a Youth Minister, Religious Education teacher or Catechist, Catholic School teacher or Catholic Homeschooling mom, this retreat is ideal for girls ages 10 to 14.

The purpose of this retreat is to encourage young girls to explore their identity in Christ. This time will allow each young lady to:

*see herself as a child of God who is loved immensely and that God created her on purpose and with a purpose.

*discover that she is unique and unrepeatable and she is called to be a joyful saint.

*reassure her that her prayers are heard and matter.

*be encouraged to talk to God more frequently in prayer.

Retreat Materials
What you will need:
Be Yourself Journals (1 for each retreat attendee)

A basket of holy cards

You may have a stash of these – ask around, many people have them and may not mind donating them!

Catholic Stickers

Scrapbooking paper

DaySpring has a great line with Paper Pads

The Delight in His Day Paper Pad includes 24 patterned sheets (solid color on reverse side) that are great for this. Also 8 by 8 scrapbooking paper will also work.

WASHI TAPE!!!
Glue and Scissors
Inspirational quotes/stickers

Gel Pens!
Phone/speaker to play Christian music in the background

(And materials for optional wrap up activity – the Just for fun Scavenger Hunt would be – individually wrapped gum; yarn or bracelet making thread; a box of band-aids; a bag of hard candy; leftover stickers)

To keep this retreat “Covid safe”; you can create a Retreat package for each attendee. Give extra supplies so each girl will have a choice with what she will use and what she will not use. For example, have a few sheets of scrapbooking paper – she will only need one; 3 or 4 holy cards – she can pick which one she will use, etc.

This retreat can be done using social distancing!!!

Retreat schedule/agenda:

Gathering and Opening Prayer

Start off by giving each young lady her book and supplies. Allow them to peruse the book and other fun craft items.

When everyone has settled into their seats, begin with a prayer.

Suggested Prayer:

Prayer to Know God’s Will

Lord grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You, always follow your plans, and perfectly accomplish your holy will.  Grant that in all things, great and small, today and all the days of my life, I may do whatever You may desire of me.  Help me to respond to the slightest promptings of your grace, so that I may be your trustworthy instrument.  May your will be done in time and eternity, by me, in me, and through me.  Amen.

 -St. Therese of Lisieux

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

Introductions/Icebreakers

FIRST: The Leaders of the Retreat . . . introduce yourself!!!!

Talk a little bit about how your faith has helped you in your life!

Tell the girls what you like to do,

how you prefer to pray and

who your favorite saint is!

Direct the girls to look at and fill out the ” Your Beauty Basics” page. Encourage them to also fill out the God’s Creation page.

Play some music in the background.

After about 5 minutes, ask the girls to share some or all of the responses they wrote in their journal.

Then, tell the girls to turn the page of the journal back to see:

God created you body and soul.

God created everything for you but you in turn were created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to Him.

As a fun way for the girls to get to know one other better, encourage them to fill out God’s Creation and You and the Would You Rather Game.

Go over the “Would You Rather” Game as a group and encourage them to make some additional “Would You Rather” nature fun questions.

Craft/Scrapbooking Activity

Share with the girls that each one of them is unique and unrepeatable. God calls each one to be holy but we all have different paths and our roads will look different.

It’s extremely important to pray every day and receive the Blessed Sacrament at least once a week. Right now, God wants us to love Him first, avoid sin and, as Saint Katharine Drexel once said:

“Peacefully do at each moment what needs to be done.”

If we are looking for more guidance in our life, Scripture and the Saints have a ton of advice. We also can call on Saints to pray for us!

Direct the girls attention to their packet of supplies and the back of the book.

Let the girls know that they will start by picking a background design paper.

Explain they are going to create a scrapbook collage to be the back cover design.

The design should be all done on the background paper, then at the very end, the whole design on the scrapbooking paper and can be glued or washi-taped to the back cover.

So:

Step One – Pick your background

Step Two – Choose a Holy Card for the center of the design.

Step Three- Choose a Scripture Quote or Saint Quote

Step Four- find stickers/images of things that make them feel grateful. Prayer should always include giving thanks. Stick on the images that fill their hearts with gratitude.

Step Five- finish the design with washi-tape, their own writing, a photo of themselves or however else they want to decorate it!

Closing Activity and Prayer:

Direct the girls’ attention to the back pages titled:

WHAT DOES ALL THIS HAVE TO DO WITH WHO I AM?

AND

HOW DO I LOVE HIM BACK?

These pages are very brief but are really helpful.

Have the girls volunteer to read parts and ask them if they have any questions. Allow a guided group discussion. Remind them that faith and life is a journey and we learn something new everyday. Our relationship with God is like other relationships – the more we spend time with Him the more we will get to know Him.

Last activity:

The “Just For Fun Scavenger Hunt”

This is a simple activity to build self-esteem and friendship. Depending on what time allows, you can include it or omit it!

This can be the beginning of a series of group meetings – or a great way to jump start a personal prayer journaling habit for each young girl in attendance!

Since each young lady will be going home with a journal, you will be providing a resource she can turn to when she is worried, scared, confused or just simply in need of prayer time.

Want more ideas for Catholic tweens, Catholic gifts and simply be reassured God loves you and hears your prayers? If yes,

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The post The Perfect Catholic Mini-Retreat for Tween Girls appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.