2020 Catholic Women in Business Christmas Gift Guide
Advent is upon us, and while our main focus is preparing our hearts for Jesus, we are also turning our minds toward celebrating His birth by giving gifts to our loved ones. As we did last year, the Catholic Women in Business community joined together to identify Catholic woman-owned businesses to shop at this year. Many, but not all, of the products these shops sell are Catholic-themed, but all support Catholic women in their work.
Happy Advent, and Merry Christmas!
Apparel and Accessories
Lisa Quinn named her business Sagely Sparrow after her favorite Bible verse: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). Her business sells Catholicism-inspired apparel and jewelry, including Advent and Christmas items.
Created in response to the number of major apparel companies that donate to non-pro-life causes, Vivia donates 20% of the profits from its clothing sales to pro-life organizations. This cream knit sweater is perfect for the cold months that are quickly approaching (or already upon you, depending on where you live!).
Over at Brick House in the City, Lauren sells apparel for men, women, and children, along with a few “home and living” items. Catholic businesswomen may be inspired by the “strong women make waves” t-shirt, which features that statement with an image of Our Lady.
Humble Mission Beads is an Etsy shop selling jewelry inspired by the Catholic faith (and a few inspired by a blend of faith and fairy tales!). Each item purchased comes with a foldable Litany of Humility prayer card, and a portion of the proceeds goes toward helping families experiencing infant loss and miscarriage.
Eardrop Co. is an earring company named after the fuschia flower, which is sometimes called “Our Lady’s eardrops.” A portion of the proceeds go toward a new charity each month. St. Zelie, the entrepreneur and mother of Doctor of the Church St. Thérèse of Lisieux, is a popular saint among Catholic businesswomen, so don’t miss the Zelie’s Lace Collection. Every purchase comes with a Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin relic prayer card.
Madison at Be Rooted Bead Co. sells stacking and custom bracelets. In a particularly difficult year, your sister, mother, or friend may love her “hope” bracelet, which comes in a neutral palette that will match almost anything.
Relics by Rose is an Etsy jewelry store selling Catholic jewelry for men and women, from rosary bracelets to pressed flower earrings to cufflinks. The Our Lady of Guadalupe necklace, currently on sale, might be just the gift for a Guadalupe devotee this feast day.
For the woman in your life who wear a veil to Mass, Magnificat Veils (owned by an engaged couple) sells a variety of styles of veil as well as miraculous medals. As someone who began veiling relatively recently, I like the owners’ explanation of the practice.
For the Home
The Theology of Home mercantile, created by theologian and author Dr. Carrie Gress and her “Theology of Home” co-author Noelle Mering, sells the “Theology of Home” books (created with photographer Kim Baile), as well as home goods like candles, prints, candles, and even a hand-carved Stella Maris charcuterie board.
Rose Harrington Art, owned by Katrina Harrington, sells botanical art focused on the traditional religious names of flowers, which serves as a subtle reminder of Catholic devotions such as the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe. This business also sells home goods such as ceramic mugs as well as canvas banners and floral liturgical wall calendars (the 2021 calendar is inspired by the Litany of Loreto).
Caitlyn, a writer, artist, and theology student, began sells her art at Heart to Sacred Heart. She began the collection as a visual aid to memorize the mysteries of the rosary, and among her mystery paintings is the timely third joyful mystery, the Nativity.
Violets and Moss sells handmade paper shrines dedicated to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mary and the Holy Family, saints, and angels. Catholic businesswomen know that learning both to work and to pray begins in the home and maybe inspired by this “Ora et Labora” Holy Family shrine.
Anna Camacho came up with the name for her business, CORDA Candles, during prayer. It’s inspired by the priest’s words during Mass, “Lift up your hearts!” (in Latin, “Sursum corda!”). Shop for candles by patron saint, such as workers (St. Joseph the Worker).
Artist Leann Bowen sells art and home goods on her website. In a year with a great renewal of interest in and devotion to the great St. Josephine Bakhita, don’t miss Leann’s print of this holy woman who survived so much and loved Jesus so deeply.
Gratia Design Co., which sells products on Etsy and Minted, offers prints, greeting cards, stickers, magnets, notecards and prayer cards, and even pillows and bags. The store even has a sticker featuring the recently beatified teenage saint Bl. Carlo Acutis.
Artist Remilla Ty (previously Catholic Women in Business’ own creative director!) sells stickers, pins, and prints through her Etsy shop. Honor Our Lady with her Marian medley sticker set, featuring four apparitions of Mary: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and Our Lady of Akita.
Kate Capato is a painter, photographer, and choreographer who sells her paintings on commission through her business, Visual Grace.
Deborah Tims’ business, Edify Digital Prints, sells digital (print yourself!) Catholic wall art on Etsy. Don’t miss this Hail Mary and Our Father print set, perfect for the bedroom walls of a child just learning to pray.
Sunrise Grapes sells custom-engraved coasters, ornaments, phone stands, and religious items. These small wooden rosaries are a unique way to pray a decade on the go.
Michelle Solomon sells her art through a Society6 shop featuring wall art, home decor, stickers, and other goods. This indigo watercolor pattern laptop sleeve is great for Catholic businesswomen whose work takes them anywhere (even, this year, to the couch!).
Catholic Women in Business contributing writer Laura Pugliano and her family recently launched a business, Ciccio’s Olives, selling extra virgin olive oil from Laura’s husband’s family farm in Calabria, Italy. You can sign up online to be notified when the first batch is ready (and to receive 20% off and free shipping on your first order!).
For the Kiddos
Thy Olive Tree, maker of a Catholic baby book (though it goes through high school and will make a great graduation gift for your infant in 18 years), is offering Catholic Women in Business readers 10% off with discount code CWIB10, through December 15. The store also sells greeting cards and personalized prints to honor children celebrating a sacrament.
Faith & Puppets is owned by a storyteller who teaches children about the Catholic faith through videos and puppets. Her digital download “Folktales of Saint Nicholas with Billy the puppet” shares three St. Nick stories, just in time for St. Nicholas’ feast day and Christmas.
Hair Bows 4 Life sells religious hairbows (with medals in their center). Maria Cecilia, the owner, donates 20% of each sale to pro-life organizations. This bow, which comes in several colors, features Baby Jesus — perfect for the little girl in your life to wear to Christmas Mass.
Mayes Lane Kids is a business owned by a Cathlic educator. Its nature activity kit is available on Amazon and includes 50 activities.
Shining Light Dolls sells Catholic dolls, puzzles, and saint charms. Don’t miss the collection of dolls featuring Marian apparitions from around the world, from Ireland to Mexico and from Poland to Rwanda.
House of Royals has the perfect gifts for young girls: precious Sacred Heart White Fur and Pearls Mini Crossbody and Hairclips.
Books and Journals
Chloe Langr, host of the popular podcast “Letters to Women,” has a reflection journal for Catholic brides-to-be, published by Our Sunday Visitor. It’s the perfect gift for the newly engaged woman in your life. (Don’t miss her upcoming article for CatholicWomeninBusiness.org!)
The Discalced Carmelites of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, in Morristown, New Jersey, typically hold a bake sale fundraiser at Christmastime. This year, due to COVID, the Carmelites are, instead, selling a dessert cookbook in digital and print versions. (The food photographer who took the pictures is a member of the Catholic Women in Business community and alerted us to this great cause!)
Deborah L. Meyer is a Catholic financial adviser. Her book, “Redefining Family Wealth: A Parent’s Guide to Purposeful Living,” is available for purchase on her website — perhaps a good gift for a newlywed couple just getting started on combining finances and planning a family.
Lisa Canning is a coach and mother of eight. Her book, “Possibility Mom: How to be a Great Mom and Pursue Your Dreams at the Same Time,” might be a great gift for a mother in your life who’s struggling to balance work, life, and everything in between.
Live Today Well Co. sells a variety of Catholic books and journals. The Examen journal, for example, provides space for a daily prayer and reflection following St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Examen. (Full disclosure: I love Live Today Well Co. and am a contributor to its Instagram and blog content.)
A Little Bit of Everything
Wild Thing Adventures was founded by a family of nine (seven children) to share their spirit of adventure with other families who want to explore the outdoors. Products include adventure bags as well as accessories like belts, bags, and jewelry. For the most adventurous of families, Wild Things Adventures offers a monthly subscription box of nature activities.
Annunciation Designs is owned by Elayne, a wife, mother, teacher, engineer, and artist. She sells apparel for adults and children as well as home accessories. Don’t miss the stocking stuffers collection, which includes magnets, stickers, keychains, and other fun goodies.
Just Love Prints sells home goods such as prints, stickers, and ornaments, as well as hats and temporary tattoos. Busy Catholic businesswomen who love their caffeine may be interested in the “Sipping with the Saints” collection, a delightful series of stickers and prints displaying Catholic saints drinking out of mugs.
Meadowcress Boutique sells Catholic-themed baby goods, including bonnets, bibs, and clothing, as well as home goods like tea towels. This Christmas bundle includes a pouch and matching scrunchie (sized for adults) in St. Thérèse, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Our Lady of Kibeho patterns.
Kidderbug Kreations sells gifts for babies, children, and adults including everything from pillows, carseat covers, and hooded towels to purses, wallets, and cosmetic bags. My fellow chocolate lovers might like this hanging dishtowel featuring the line “All I need today is a little bit of chocolate and a whole lot of Jesus.”
The new company Salt & Gold sells gift boxes, journals, prayer cards, prints, and other Catholic items. Don’t miss its timely Advent products, including an Advent wreath kit; Christmas cards, including a Christmas card and wax seal set; and, for shipping within Australia, a Christmas women’s gift box.
Faith and Fabric sells patterns, fabrics, and “sew a saint doll” kits. (The owner, Jen, also sold me a beautiful lace mask to go with my wedding dress at my very-2020 wedding this year.) The seasonal St. Nicholas sew-a-saint kit might be just what your kids are looking for from Santa this year!
No Heart Untouched sells rosaries, necklaces, prayer cards, mugs, and ornaments on its Etsy shop. Don’t miss this limited edition Posada collection, which includes a wood banner, nine wood ornaments, two prints and a Las Posadas information sheet.
Encounter Grace, co-led by our own Laura Roland (manager of Strategic Partnerships at CWIB), is a Catholic women’s ministry that also sells journals mugs, and notecards. Try “Tuesday’s Journal,” a weekly journal with a new word to reflect on every week.
Someday Saints sells stickers, prayer prints and adoration journal pages, and other Catholic products. Catholic moms might be interested in the children’s adoration tote bag and journal to help their kids learn to pray in the presence of Our Lord.
Telos Art + Design offers prints, jewelry, clothing, and Catholic gifts. Founder Jessica Connolly named the business after the Greek τέλος, meaning “ultimate purpose or highest end.” Her Christmas ornament is currently available for preorder.
Delphina Rose Art sells Catholic art and coloring pages by Rebecca Gorzynska. (Rebecca is also the illustrator of the book “Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children,” a book written by Colleen Pressprich and published by Our Sunday Visitor.) For a Christmas-themed gift, check out her print “The Holly Bears the Crown.”
Pink Salt Riot jewelry, keychains, and other accessories as well as cards, prints, and stickers. Treat a woman in your life with the “Joy Box,” a quarterly subscription gift box featuring new Pink Salt Riot products.
Taters and Tutus sells a variety of products, including elderberry syrup, jewelry, and teething necklaces and bracelets.
Refuge Rosaries sells, as the name implies, rosaries, as well as bracelets. Pilgrims might like this Camino de Santiago rosary made out of wood from the Holy Land.
Led by Michelle Benzinger, co-host of the popular “Abiding Together” podcast, and her husband Chris, Greenhouse Collective’s shop includes mugs, prints, and clothing. Mothers, entrepreneurs, artists, and Madeleine L’Engle fans will love this “Love still takes the risk of birth” mug.
Taryn Oesch DeLong, managing editor of Catholic Women in Business, is an editor and writer in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and works in digital media. Passionate about supporting women in work, in life, and in health, she is assistant editor and contributing writer at FemCatholic and an almost-certified fertility awareness educator. When she’s not helping writers craft stories and writing her own nonfiction and fiction, you'll find Taryn reading Jane Austen and drinking a cup of Earl Grey tea, playing the flute or the piano, or volunteering. You can follow Taryn on Instagram and Twitter @tarynmdelong, on Facebook, or on her blog.