Saint Charles Borromeo: A Model of Charitable Works and Strong Leadership during the Counter-Reformation

Christmas is right around the corner, and this year it’s more important than ever to support Catholic small businesses! Below, you’ll discover our best picks for everyone on your list, handpicked and thoughtfully curated. Please note that we don’t receive any commission from your purchases - we just love promoting Catholic goods.
Prices and availability of each item subject to change.
SaintwaveApparel on Etsy

$36.99
Why We Love It: This embroidered cotton cap is the perfect casual addition to any outfit. The messaging is subtle but unmistakeable: the wearer of this cap loves Our Lady! Available in camel, black, Oxford navy blue, and dark olive green to suit any guy’s taste.
How to Gift It: Pair with a thrifted short-sleeve button-down shirt to gift an outfit that’s effortless and impactful.
Oremus Home Goods

$40
Why We Love It: Handthrown in St. Paul, Minnesota, this ceramic mug features a deep, stunning onyx color and a wide handle for comfortable holding. Big enough for serious coffee drinkers and beer connoisseurs alike, this 18-ouncer is truly a centerpiece of any mug collection. And adding spiritual protection from the St. Benedict medal is the pièce de résistance.
How to Gift It: Pair with a gift card to his favorite coffee shop or a six-pack of that new brew he’s been wanting to try.
Regina's Skincare

$15
Why We Love It: This rich shea-based beard balm leaves the hair and skin of the beard soft and moisturized. The scent, “Terror of Demons,” has notes of cedarwood and incense that are perfectly masculine in the best ways. This all-natural balm comes in a metal tin for easy transport and will have even the most rugged man feeling pampered.
How to Gift It: Bundle with a sophisticated-yet-affordable tortoise shell comb and a gift certificate to the local barbershop to give the man in your life his own version of a spa day.
Contemporary Saints Boutique

$50
Why We Love It: This 100% cotton maxi dress features a nostalgic design and neutral colors that are perfect for all seasons. Available in small, medium, and large, the matching belt and button-up collar are sure to flatter.
How to Gift It: Add a thrifted denim jacket or chunky faux-gold bracelet for an outfit she’ll want to wear over and over again.
Telos Art Shop

$46
Why We Love It: This gorgeous necklace is subtle yet oh-so-elegant, just like Our Lady. The pendant is gold-plated while the 16” rope chain is gold-filled, creating a timeless and beautiful look.
How to Gift It: Pair with mother-of-pearl earrings to create the perfect “special occasion” set.
Catholic Dress Co.

$54.99
Why We Love It: This light, slightly-stretchy sweater features intricate cables and a flowy construction to create a cozy and elegant look. Available in white, black, and lavender with drop-shoulders and ribbed cuffs, this will surely be a staple closet item.
How to Gift It: Pair with fuzzy earmuffs or a matching knitted headband to capture perfect winter vibes.
The Little Rose Shop

$38
Why We Love It: This soft, padded book is full of bright colors and adorable shapes, and each page features a different apparition of Our Lady! A plush Baby Jesus on a ribbon gets tucked into the pocket of Mother Mary on each page, showing your little one that Our Heavenly Mother is always ready to comfort us. This 9” x 9” cloth book is perfectly quiet for Mass and is soft and textured for little hands.
How to Gift It: Pair with a soft linen swaddle blanket to keep your beloved little one cozy all winter long.
Shining Light Dolls

$24.99
Why We Love It: Soft, sweet, smiley St. Joseph is ready to comfort your little one! With embroidered details, like his signature lilies and carpentry tools, this large-size plush is sure to bring a smile to little faces. Also available in mini size!
How to Gift It: Double up with one of Shining Light Dolls’ Blessed Mother or Jesus plushes, or thrift a snuggly pair of pajamas for a comfy-cute gift.
Kingdom Come Co.

$25
Why We Love It: This is the classic ring-stacking toy, but reimagined with happy pastel colors and the iconic Holy Spirit Dove imagery. The smooth wooden rings are easy for little hands to grasp and bring a little touch of theology to your baby’s play.
How to Gift It: Add a padded play mat to offer a baby-safe space for little imaginations!
OhClementCG on Etsy

$22
Why We Love It: This ceramic mug has all the nostalgia of the classic “campfire coffee cup” with the added delight of a hand-drawn altar server design! This mug is the perfect sophisticated gift for the tween & teen altar boys in your life who want a token of their service.
How to Gift It: Add some high-quality hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows for a sweet treat any altar boy will appreciate.
HeWo

$79.99
Why We Love It: This Catholic audio player holds up to 250 saved tracks at a time, each featuring prayers, Bible stories, Saint biographies, and faith-filled music. Parents can add a subscription and a cell-phone app to unlock more content, but kids can’t access the Internet from the HeWo Player so you can rest easy knowing your child has a safe but fun technological tool to learn from. The Player doesn’t need WiFi to work, and the battery lasts 8+ hours!
How to Gift It: Add a HeWo Silicone Cover and Lamb Pouch so your adventurous kid can take their HeWo Player anywhere! Or, if you’re crafty, knit your own carrying pouch for an added touch of made-from-scratch love.
Sock Religious


$11.99
Why We Love It: Sock Religious offers a ton of designs to choose from, and all of them bring bright colors and fun animation to your kiddo’s feet! These ankle-high socks feature contrasting toes, heels, and cuffs for a bold and classic look, paired with everyone’s favorite saints and holy figures.
How to Gift It: Add the socks to a cool thrifted pair of sneakers or a fun new backpack for your kiddo’s adventures!
Voyage Comics

$6.99
Why We Love It: With stunning full-color illustrations packed on each of its 28 pages, this comic book is a fantastic way to introduce a great American saint to the young readers in your life. Comic books and graphic novels provide accessibility to reluctant readers while maintaining incredible literary and artistic richness. Lily of the Mohawks is recommended for readers aged 12+, but Voyage offers a host of titles for all ages.
How to Gift It: Add a few more of Voyage’s titles to your cart to give your kiddo a thrilling faith-filled reading adventure!
StoneAbbeyRosaries on Etsy

$124.99
Why We Love It: This stunning handcrafted masterpiece features ebony wood and jasper stone beads alongside a hand-cast, antique pewter St. Michael Medal and Crucifix. It’s an heirloom piece that’s sure to capture the hearts of everyone who holds it for generations to come.
How to Gift It: Pair with a great theological book, like the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, for spiritual nourishment that will last for years.
Veils by Lily

$88
Why We Love It: This is Veils by Lily’s best veil yet. Made with the highest quality lace, this heirloom piece comes with a lifetime warranty. It features an all-over floral design and comes in champagne, amethyst, or onyx.
How to Gift It: Pick up one of Veils by Lily’s satin carrying bags to keep this veil safe and sound every time it’s brought to Mass.
Qui Minimo

$31.50
Why We Love It: This 1” x ¾” mini scapular is dainty yet durable and features a thin cord that’s sensory-friendly. Each scapular is hand-stitched and is beautiful to display proudly as a sign of your devotion to Our Lady.
How to Gift It: Pair with a wall hanging or statue of Our Lady - thrift one or find plenty on Etsy - to further encourage the love that Our Mother deserves!
Word on Fire

$49.95
Why We Love It: The most stunning illustrations decorate this fully-Catholic story Bible. It's jam-packed with wisdom from the saints and key connections between Bible stories and our Sacraments, Blessed Mother, and Church practices.
How to Gift It: Pick up a beautiful crucifix at your local Catholic store or online, and even add in a candle to make reading time immersively prayerful.
Sword & Crown Candle Company

$26
Why We Love It: Let the scent of orange, grapefruit, lemon, white tea, and linen fill your home each time you light this sweet, simple candle. And with an inspirational message from the great St. Zelie Martin on the label, you’re sure to be rejuvenated both spiritually and physically.
How to Gift It: Pick up a picture frame from the thrift store and print out a picture of St. Zelie Martin to go in it. Add a thrifted silk scarf or a bottle of wine and you’ve got the perfect cozy gift bundle.
NazarethPottery on Etsy

$50.99
Why We Love It: This 8” ceramic plate is completely handmade, and features a simple but beautiful design of a monstrance to remind us all of where our true Food comes from.
How to Gift It: Thrift a cookbook holder to display the plate, and add a couple of beeswax candles for the ultimate in serene home decor.
House of Joppa

$45.95
Why We Love It: These linen napkins are 20” squares and are hand-printed percale cotton. Soft yet durable and wrinkle-resistent, these napkins will add grace and charm to your table for years to come. And the sweet, baby-blue floral border is timeless and adorable.
How to Gift It: Thrift a wicker basket and fill it with the napkins and all the best snacks your loved one enjoys - hard cheese, salami, crackers, and artisanal jam are always good options!
TracingTradition on Etsy

$18 - $22
Why We Love It: These whiteboards are designed to help young hands work on their penmanship by tracing either print or cursive writing, and your little scholar just may learn the St. Benedict prayer while they practice! Fully customize your board by choosing the size, color, writing style, language (English or Latin), and whether or not you want guidelines along with the words.
How to Gift It: Pair with a pack of fine-tip dry erase markers, a couple of extra dry erase markers, and some reward stickers to give out for jobs well done!
Saintly Heart Co.

$34.99
Why We Love It: This 52-piece wooden puzzle comes with 26 letters and their matching jigsaw puzzle piece, each of which bears the name and image of a great saint on the front and information about that saint on the back. It’s perfect for little ones learning the alphabet or older kids learning how to spell, since the pieces can be arranged in any order.
How to Gift It: Pair with a starter set of Magnatiles or a coloring book to gift the best in learning-based play.
Into the Deep

$45 - $77
Why We Love It: Spiral-bound with full-color illustrations, this theology teaching guide is designed for family-style learning. Level One is ideal for 1st - 3rd graders, Level Two for 4th - 6th graders, and Level Three for 7th - 9th graders.
How to Gift It: Create a learning basket filled with notebooks, pens or pencils, crayons, and stickers to encourage meaningful family learning.
Catholic Olive Oil

$26 for 375ml
Why We Love It: This artisanal olive oil comes from the groves of Tunisia and has a creamy, mild flavor perfect for dips, salads, and all of your favorite recipes. With a variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegar to choose from, you really can’t go wrong with any selection from Catholic Olive Oil.
How to Gift It: Thrift a shallow dish for oil dipping, and bundle the dish and oil with a loaf of Italian bread for an elevated take on a classic snack.
Catholic Coffee

$18.95 for 12 oz.
Why We Love It: Available ground or as whole beans, this medium roast is full of festive flavors of dark chocolate and roasted chestnuts. It’s bold and smooth but not too earthy, so it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.
How to Gift It: Pick up a few bags of Catholic Coffee’s chocolate covered espresso beans and a thrifted Christmas-themed mug for a gift full of holiday cheer.
Trinitas Cellars

$90 per bottle
Why We Love It: This Napa Valley vintage red is rich and deep. Flavors of toasted oak, vanilla, violet florals, blackberry, cedar, dark fruit, dark chocolate, and leather come together to create an unforgettable experience. Trinitas offers plenty of other varieties to choose from as well, ranging in price from $30 - $100 per bottle.
How to Gift It: Pair with a custom set of engraved wine glasses or a thrifted decanter for a high-class gift.
Heart Stuck on Paper

$5
Why We Love It: This 3” blue and cream sticker is a subtle yet beautiful reminder of St. Pier Giorgio’s famous mission: to ascend to the heights of Heaven!
How to Gift It: Pick up one for every stocking on your list to help spread the word that we should all be looking verso l’alto!
January Jane Shop

$25
Why We Love It: This set of 12 mini prints (3.5” x 2.5”) reveals the saints as beautiful yet normal-looking humans who lived many of the same experiences we’re going through now. There are four different sets to choose from, and many of the saints included are lesser-known men and women that are just waiting for us to learn about them. The cards are perfect for displaying in small frames or as part of a garland or home altar.
How to Gift It: Pick up twine and clothes pins from your local craft store for a DIY garland, or grab a few small and mismatched frames from the thrift store for an artsy display.
Abundantly Yours

$12.99
Why We Love It: These oh-so-sweet quilted zipper pouches are perfect for carrying around the most powerful weapon of all: the rosary! Available in pink or blue, the adorable floral + stripes print is dainty and timeless.
How to Gift It: Pair with a hand-crafted rosary from Etsy or your local Catholic store, or tuck the rosary pouch into a thrifted purse for a cutesy gift.
The following selections are available from Our Lady of Victory School, a Catholic homeschool curriculum company that is tirelessly preserving classical education and traditional Catholicism. The titles presented here have been hand-selected by Djalaih Jones, wife of OLVS Director Scott Jones. Mrs. Jones provides insight and expertise into the value and wonder of these titles, and you really can’t go wrong with any selection!
by Irene Hunt

$9
Djalaih’s Notes: “Jethro, the hero of this Civil War historical novel, taps into the necessity of survival on a farm during the devastating years of the war. The reader can feel the agonizing split of the Union, the sweat of the brow as the family struggles daily, and the sheer devotion they have for one another. Perfect read for teens!”
by Robert Hugh Benson

$33
Djalaih’s Notes: “Travel over the moors of England during the persecution of Catholics in the Elizabethan era. The intrigue and suspense is unmatched as the reader watches the incredible and selfless sacrifices and decisions of Robin and Marjorie. Adults and teens alike will be riveted!”
by Jane Austen

$16
Djalaih’s Notes: “The perfect read to help celebrate the 250th birthday of Jane Austen! Follow the Bennet family in their quest to find eligible suitors for their five daughters. Austen has masterful insights into the human nature of men and women. Delightful and humorous, this long-standing masterpiece will not disappoint!”
by C.S. Lewis

$10
Djalaih’s Notes: “Experience the magical land of Narnia with your children. This is perfect read-aloud material from one of the greatest authors of the 20th century… C.S. Lewis. Great life-lessons and allegorical figures are strewn throughout the story. Challenge your child to read the whole set!”
Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge (1865) - “Old World charm and grit grace the pages of this beautiful tale of a family in Holland. Filled with self-sacrifice, courage against all odds, and deep abiding familial love, this book brings to life aspects that the 21st-century-child needs to hear about.”

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (1952) - “Every child’s bookshelf is complete given that this all-time classic is found there. Little ones will be riveted listening to the little drama unfold of Fern rescuing the runt pig Wilbur. The friendship that ensues in the barn between a spider and Wilbur is endearing. A heartwarming must-read!”

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1932) - “Rediscover the simplicity and wholesome goodness of this classic pioneer saga. Children today need Laura Ingalls Wilder to point out to them the little things in life, the grandeur of nature, the sweet joys of family life. We guarantee your children will want to read the entire set!”

Have any other recommendations for us? Submit them here!
Hugh Macken, Erinn Dimond, and Jeannine Szumigala of VMR Communications will be chatting about this gift guide and more on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 2pm EST. Join us for a live stream on Catholic365’s Facebook page - we’d love to hear from you!