Christmas gift for a non-Catholic

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Mystical_Rose

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I’m wanting to buy a religious Christmas present for my best friend who is a lapsed Catholic. She’s very understanding about my faith and I know she wouldn’t be offended what ever I gave her, but I just want to find something she’ll use. For instance I was considering a few books because she loves to read, but then realised there was no point because she won’t read it because she wouldn’t be interested.

As it is, I’m buying her a prayer card with a medal - I’ve previously bought her a rosary - just so that it’s there should she ever feel she needs to turn to God. This is something I do with all my close friends who aren’t particularly religious because they understand how important it is to me and they take it in good nature, and I hope one day they’ll use it.

But I just wondered if anyone could suggest something else that she might use or could be useful one day potentially for her.

To give you some idea, I’m thinking something suitable for a young woman, late 20’s early 30’s.

I’d be really grateful if anyone had any suggestions - this is just how I evangelise amongst my friends, in addition to talking about my faith with them.
 
I think a small book with inspirational sayings would be nice. Not those tiny ones, but the hardbacks that are about the size of a paperback. Easy to put on a dresser or bedside table. You could find one with scripture that is useful in a variety of occasions in life. It’s always nice to flip through a book like that, especially at the beginning of the year when our thoughts are on new beginnings and are open, and then in times of trouble it can be a source of comfort. I was in Barnes and Noble last weekend and happened to see a small book on the wisdom of saints. (Pretty sure the word wisdom was in the title.) Real pretty cover, too.

If possible, since she is your best friend, get her a couple of things, one of them just a personal thing a woman would love, like a pretty necklace or scarf. That way she feels you appreciate her for herself without any agenda. I was also in Walgreens this weekend and, I don’t know about other locations, but they had some pretty pashminas (large scarfs, like shawls) for just $6 and I was amazed at the price. I want to get one for my sister.

Edit to add: I just found the above mentioned book on the Barnes and Noble website.

search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Essential-Wisdom-of-the-Saints/Carol-Kelly-Gangi-ed-Carol/e/9781435111509
 
Mystical_Rose said:
I’m wanting to buy a religious Christmas present for my best friend who is a lapsed Catholic. She’s very understanding about my faith and I know she wouldn’t be offended what ever I gave her, but I just want to find something she’ll use. For instance I was considering a few books because she loves to read, but then realised there was no point because she won’t read it because she wouldn’t be interested.

As it is, I’m buying her a prayer card with a medal - I’ve previously bought her a rosary - just so that it’s there should she ever feel she needs to turn to God. This is something I do with all my close friends who aren’t particularly religious because they understand how important it is to me and they take it in good nature, and I hope one day they’ll use it.

But I just wondered if anyone could suggest something else that she might use or could be useful one day potentially for her.

To give you some idea, I’m thinking something suitable for a young woman, late 20’s early 30’s.

I’d be really grateful if anyone had any suggestions - this is just how I evangelise amongst my friends, in addition to talking about my faith with them.
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It’s a hard book to find, but “He and I” (Gabrielle Bossis) is an excellent book, a diary of sorts of her conversations with God. Day by day. Amazing reflections. We’ve given it to several people in a similar state as you indicate and we’ve only heard positive comments from these people. It’s a profound book (written in the mid 1900s).
 
I’d like to add that - through trial and error - I’ve found the best way to choose a gift for someone is to consider the other person’s personality and go from there to match a thoughtful gift that tells the other person that you “get” them. Or sometimes just a gift that shows you care about the friendship, that expressess togetherness (like a plaque with a nice sentiment) or creates it (like taking someone to a show) is appreciated. A gift, if it is truly a gift, should be something that is free of an agenda such as evangelization because, unfortunately, that comes across as selfish. (I’ve received some gifts that kind of made me feel that way, although I still appreciated the thought.)
 
Thank you for the replies so far - I will look into both those suggestions!

Also CAROLOFTHEBELLS, I will be buying her a main present as well, something she’ll love because as you say she’s my best friend. So the religious present is just an extra, my way of saying, “Remember what Christmas is really about”, and I know she’ll appreciate that even if she doesn’t use whatever I give her.
 
simply ask her what she wants.

even non-christians set up trees and decorate them, maybe a major sence.
 
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