Christmas present for Spiritual Director- advice needed

[mommyof4]

Anyone have any good ideas for a Christmas present for my SD? This wonderful man has put up with me for almost a year now, and hasn’t charged me a penny. I would like to do something nice for him this season, but my mind is going blank. You guys decide for me! Price range: $20-$25.

Thanks!

 

[InLight247]

My SD is a priest. Though he will never charge me, I periodically write him a check for his stipend. I don’t have to, but I like to. It is a way to show my appreciation to the representative of Christ.

Priests are paid very meager. They can always use the money for some necessities.
For this Christmas, along with the check, I also plan to give my SD some practical presents as I see he needs them.

 

[Joysong]

How about a gift certificate? Maybe to Amazon or Barnes & Noble, if he likes to read? Or a nearby restaurant known for good food? My family has given me one from Darden Restaurants in past years, and there are four different choices to select from: Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Smokey Bones & (I forget). These are not too personal, and it is a very nice gesture to say thank you.

Of course, if you are well-endowed, you could offer a trip to the Holy Land.

 

[TOP]

Hmm, what to get a Priest that has nothing. Close friends I give some kind of “special” knife , (military thing) or a bottle of Crown Royal (cause the bags are cool to put stuff in). A book on CP might not be the right gift either. So I would go with food also, maybe a sausage and cheese gift box from Swiss Colony or something. Tim

 

[Joannm]

Hmm, what to get a Priest that has nothing. Close friends I give some kind of “special” knife , (military thing) or a bottle of Crown Royal (cause the bags are cool to put stuff in). A book on CP might not be the right gift either. So I would go with food also, maybe a sausage and cheese gift box from Swiss Colony or something. Tim

Coming from someone who works in a parish…most of the food gifts the priests get end up in the staff kitchen for us to eat. The liquor and wine gifts however never end up in our kitchen.

 

[puzzleannie]

our pastor is on a very restricted diet and eats no food gifts, they end up at St Vincent de Paul or in the staff kitchen. Unless you know the priest’s tastes in the food or drink line, not a good idea. cash unrestricted is always a good idea, or a donation to his parish or order (for which you will not take a tax deduction). there are always little needs outside the budget, gas money–I think a gas card would be a great gift for a priest who has a large parish, is a chaplain or has diocesan assignments that require a lot of travel, some get reimbursed, some do not. and priests and religious like having some extra cash on hand for charity, too.

also most priests are inundated with “spiritual” gifts like icons, statues, plaques, bookmarks, rosaries, and end up storing them or giving them away, because like most of us they have a few meaningful favorites, and don’t really need or want the rest. and like many of us they are trying to simplify, not multiply

Our bishop is having a display at a local museum of his collection of nativity sets, and he has a large meeting room in the diocesan office called the Madonna Room, because it displays the large collection of pictures of Mary he has received over the years, very beautiful.