Comments on: 7 Ideas for Giving Gifts to Nuns

By: Gail Gabel

Gail Gabel — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 04:19:46 +0000

Hi, I am a hospice nurse by day and a graphic designer by night. I have created several gifts for nuns such as cards, tote bags, coffee mugs etc that can be given as gifts for Golden Jubilees and Silver Jubilees. These can be found at Zazzle.com
Just type in “nuns”, “nun gifts”, “golden jubilee”, “silver jubilee” etc or go directly to my site on Zazzle.com “Professional Designs”. Hope this helps. Hats off to all the great sisters out there, it’s wonderful what you do.

Gail in Ohio

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:37:57 +0000

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! One of my dearest friends is a nun and she is VERY hard to get a gift for because she is so… well… nunny! Her 60th Jubilee is this week end and I have racked my brain for ideas and this site is a God Send!
Warm Wishes!

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:18:55 +0000

Thank you for the ideas. One of our Sisters at our church is celebrating her Golden Jubilee and now I know just what to give her. Thanks again!

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:09:43 +0000

Glad to help, Amanda. Blessings on you and on your best friend!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:12:54 +0000

Thank you for this post. my best friend decided about 4 months ago to join an order. This will be her first birthday away and I am not very informed about what is allowed or not, so to say. Thank you for taking the time and helping others with these questions.

By: Another Sister Julie, CSSF

Another Sister Julie, CSSF — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:48:24 +0000

I thought of another one–I love to get restaurant gift cards because I get to reciprocate with my family and treat them to dinner once in a while. After Mom died and I was cleaning out her purse, I found 5 gift cards to a favorite restaurant. I used them to treat my provincial council to dinner as a thank you for allowing me to stay home withher for so long. I brought along Mom’s portrait and put it at the head of the table. It felt like Mom was the hostess of one last dinner party.

Ooh, here’s another one! Have a tree planted in theperson’s honor! Helps beautify the neighbor and helps the environment. Or even just a rosebush. My students collected money in honor of the pastor’s jubilee to have calla lilies and sea lavender bushes planted around the church. Not only do those plants beautify the area, they also help keep costs down during Easter season because we use those flowers as part of the decor. Talk about a beautiful gift that keeps on giving!

Then again, there is nothing wrong with having Masses said. The Seraphic Mass Association of the Capuchins in Pittsburgh, PA offers 900 (yes, HUNDRED!) Masses in each card. Such a deal!

By: Carol

Carol — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:00:29 +0000

This topic is genious, Julie! I have already purchased the gifts or my sister friend. One I have given as a going away gift– mildly religious in nature IMHO (a book and inspirational boxed set of cards with sayings etc. By Thich Nhat Hanh!). I also burned her a CD with meanigful songs which she has been enjoying.

For Christmas I cannot say what the gift is because she may happen upon this blog and the gift has not yet been given .

I second Sr. Julie’s suggestion about handmade gifts, especially from children. Even simply a handmade card. Things like this are very well received.

Also, I have witnessed the joy and gratitude of the sisters when a donation is made to their ministry. This seems to be one of the most appreciated gifts.

The gift of our time in service or little acts of kindness are appreciated too.

Peace and Joy!
Carol

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:37:29 +0000

Giving gifts to nuns isn’t really any different from giving gifts to anyone else. I recently gave a religious friend a recording of an opera singer she was fond of. I gave another sister a candle. It’s the thought that counts. Prayers do make the best gifts though.

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:30:21 +0000

That’s a good question. I think if it is a “small” gift like a holy medal of her favorite saint that would be okay. The only other thing I can think of is jewelry or a pen but the first feels too personal (unless you know her well enough to know it would be received well) and the second too impersonal (unless she likes that sort of thing). Gold is a difficult gift because it feels like “too much” but that’s just my personal opinion. The only gold I have/wear is my IHM profession ring and a cross/medal on a necklace. Not sure how other sisters would respond.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:11:46 +0000

Thanks Sr julie. But my problem is that my God mother lives in Nigeria she will be visiting ireland for her ceremony and i live in the uk . Unfortunately i might not be able to go. Gift certs don’t work in Nigeria. if she was here your suggestions would have been perfect i really appreciate your reply thank you and God bless.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:41:27 +0000

Is there any particular, simple gift that might be appropriate for a nun celebrating Jubilee that would be gold?

By: Bridget

Bridget — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:04:55 +0000

I think it post is GENIUS!!! I have a nun that I do a lot of ministry with and she’s going to do a reading at my wedding so I wanted to get her a gift. It post has given me lots of ideas when, prior to reading this, I was stumped! I think I’m going to get her either a decorative cookie basket to share with her community or a nice pen with her name on it, since she work in an office.

By: MP

MP — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:43:32 +0000

I came across this discussion while looking for a gift idea for a young woman in my parish who is entering a convent soon. I knew that sisters often appreciated cash. I gave a sister I once knew some cash and a bottle of wine each Christmas. She would share the wine with all the sisters at their Christmas dinner. I tried to think of something she’d enjoy, but couldn’t spend money to buy.

By: Sr. Liza

Sr. Liza — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:35:46 +0000

This is a fun topic. A Sister could say so many things and experiences they have with gifts. In my years as a religious, people usual give me Virgin Marys. You have no idea how many I have already. Through out my life as a religious, I have left a “trail” of Virgin Marys. (I feel a book coming on).

Of course, I spread them around. Many of the houses I have lived in, have at least 2-3 Virgins I have left behind. At work right now, I have two in my office and I am sure the number will increase by the end of the year. Mary and I have had our chats about this and we have had our chuckles together.

With my family and close friends, when they say to me, “hey, we would like to get you something, what would you like?” I usually tell them, just something practical I or my house can use, your choice.
So then their next question is always, “what is practical?” I also remind them that I move a lot. So small size is always appreciated. So as Sr. Julie has mentioned above, can be cash, practical gift card, something practical for the house, etc. “Practical”, “simple”, “small”, and “useful” are key words that can help people with “nun gifts”.

Living simple is our way of life and a gift in itself. When moving to my next house, I always know that down in the basement, I have to clean out the collection of Virgin Marys.

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:13:42 +0000

Dear Siobhan, Thanks for writing. The fact that you are all flying to Ireland is an AMAZING gift in itself. That is going to mean more to your aunt than anything. Because we are nuns and because of the life we’ve chosen, there’s really nothing fancy we need. And, we hold all things in common, so we appreciate stuff that benefits our community too. For example you might try to find out if the convent she lives at could use a new TV for their living room. Or sometimes I’ve heard of families giving a nun two round-trip tickets for her and a companion to visit someplace. If she loves reading and tech stuff, get her a Kindle. It’s stuff she could use and share but isn’t something she might normally spring for herself. If you have specific ideas, feel free to float them by here.

By: siobhan

siobhan — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:04:03 +0000

I am really stuck i really need help my aunt is a nun in ireland she is the most thoughtful giving amazing human being i know she has attended every religous event for every family member and is always there she remembers everyones birthdays and calls everyone on every holiday…her golden jubilee is coming up we are all flying over to ireland to attend it and we want to give her a gift she will really appreciate we are all having such a hard time with it we dont know what to do we dont want to give simple gifts because its her GOLDEN

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:54:49 +0000

I’m still thinking about what to give to nuns I cherish… Er…

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:10:19 +0000

I enjoyed reading here, I wanted to be a Nun when I was growing up but things didn’t work out. Now I am just praying a lot, I wanted to give something to our Nuns locally but didn’t know what. Now I have some idea’s so , Thank You ! God Bless.

By: BarbaraKB

BarbaraKB — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:46:39 +0000

I believe there is an assumption that, because a person is in a religious community, they are not allowed to accept any sort of gift. This post (and comments) do a great job of clarifying gift-giving along with very *practical* suggestions for gifts. Thanks, Sr. Julie!

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:26:04 +0000

Annie … on the topic of “the card thing” … The card comes to you with nothing actually written on it … both the envelope and card are blank. But there is a post-it note stuck on the inside with the person’s greetings. So you then keep the personal post-it note (if you want) and have the card to give to someone (or keep it if you’d like). It’s like the gift that keeps on giving. What I usually do is take the personalize post-it note and stick it in my prayer book reminding me that the Sister is with me in prayer.

Stamps are a GREAT idea … especially when a nun celebrates her entrance to novitiate, first/final profession, or jubilee — we’re going to send out thank-you cards and having the stamps is so helpful and thoughtful!

Sarah … excellent points about living simply. On one level it is true that we don’t need a lot of physical stuff and we do want to live counter-culturally. At another level we can’t really control what people want to give. Oooh, I have a story about this. Will write it in today’s post.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:15:19 +0000

Personally, I’ve found it tough since I entered the convent to keep my possessions to a minimum. I think it’s wonderful that people are so generous and I love them to bits but I have to re-gift otherwise 1) I’d have more stuff than I need and I choose not to have that and 2) I’d have to spend more money on gifts, or not give them.
I’m planning in the new-year to become a gift-free zone… well, at least with people who I know and love enough to ask them to agree to that (both giving and recieving).
I’m still learning about the vows but it seems that, for me, poverty is about choosing not to be part of that big comercialised, money driven, possession driven culture. So, if you must give something physical then socks & undies are welcome, or clothing that’s long-lasting or a new hair-brush. But I’d much prefer you make me a card, or spend some time with me and/or God and/or yourself!

By: christine, OP

christine, OP — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:58:34 +0000

Fabulous post with right on ideas and suggestions! I also find postage stamps a great little gift.

And I too love the post-it in a card kind of card – a gift that keeps on giving: I appreciate the sentiment of the card, and often the second post-it with a personal message on it, and then I am delighted to have a nice card to send on.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:27:24 +0000

This is a great post. You really give insight into the fact that Sisters/Nuns are ordinary human beings

By: Susan Rose, CSJP

Susan Rose, CSJP — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:11:18 +0000

Great Post!!!!!! I will be cross posting this to be sure (and maybe linking on facebook for those family & friends who find themselves in a quandry!).

By: Annie

Annie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:42:57 +0000

The card thing…if someone wrote the card for you, then wouldn’t you want to keep it? Unless they only signed their name on it, which in that case that’s not much of a card! I guess I’m confused.

By: marla

marla — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:35:24 +0000

I don’t know how many of you have bookstores that take trade but, being poor myself, I gather all my gently used books and take them in for credit and pass that credit on to my favorite Sister. She then uses the credit for books as she needs or wants, and she can use a tiny bit at a time or all of it at once.

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:03:57 +0000

Thanks, Kaz … mmmm …. coffee rolls!

Ever the marketer, Sister Anne! Good job. For those who would like to get a Pauline bookstore gift card, go to the Pauline website.

By: Sr Anne

Sr Anne — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:19:48 +0000

Brava, Sr. Julie! Things we can share with the community are most appreciated–from a fruit basket to a bottle of decent wine.
May I underscore the (ahem) bookstore gift certificate idea. We always need new books, whether for spiritual reading, pleasure, professional expertise, recipes… Any major bookstore will do (Borders seems to be in trouble, but they give a generous discount to educators); I myself am also not ashamed to recommend (or receive) a Pauline bookstore gift card!

By: Kazimer

Kazimer — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:49:41 +0000

I’d like to say that home-made baked goods are a neat idea : Christmas cookies, coffee rolls, bundt cakes and so on.

For example, in keeping in the spirit of this entry , I gave a friend of mine – who happens to be a priest – pre-made butter cookies in a tub.

His mother used to make them and I recall him talking about how he loved them especially since she used real butter.

The pre-made tub part made it easy for him to enjoy these cookies –bringing back fond memories of his mother and when he was a boy–plus he didn’t have the mess or time of making them–just put whatever amount desired on a cookie sheet and bake.

I’m thinking this idea would go over well with nuns/sisters too.

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:32:30 +0000

Good point about the cash, Sister Julie CSSF. In that case gift certificates are a good one.

Pat, I had never, ever encountered that phenomenon until I entered the community. It is one my most favorite practices just because it is so odd and so nunny!! Yet, it’s eminently practical and environmentally conscious!

By: Another Sister Julie, CSSF

Another Sister Julie, CSSF — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:46:24 +0000

Favorite gifts:
1. Alternative Christmas gifts (I always get a card saying that a bunch of bees were given to some poor farmer or a pound of nails was donated to Habitat for Humanity–love it!) or some other charitable donation.
2. A hot-stone massage gift certificate–ahhhh….
3. Anything pratical, like something to share with my students (stickers, a book for the class library, a science kit, etc.) or with my sisters (like bringing over dinner, arranging local tours to see the harbor lights during the holidays or the spring flowers in the desert or ???)
4. Gift certificates to help support my hobbies, like art & crafts or computer supplies, movie passes.

You have to watch out about giving cash. Some orders require the sisters to turn in any and all money (which is fine bc the community provides for us), but they don’t hae the same policy for gift cards. Then there are other orders (I know of one here in So. Cal.) where what you buy for one sister must also be bought for all the sisters. One family wanted to buy their daughter a pair of slippers, and they ended up having to buy 12 more pair for the others sisters in the convent!

By: Pat Farrell, OP

Pat Farrell, OP — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:14:53 +0000

Thanks, Julie. This is great! Of course I don’t see here the wonderful birthday or feastday cards that have post-its attached where a signature or name would go, so that the sister recipient can give the card to someone else. Those are classic!

By: Annie

Annie — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:12:33 +0000

I think it’s funny that people tend to give nuns religious gifts! That never really occurred to me. I never really thought of nun gift-giving as much different from any gift-giving. I figured it would just really depend on the relationship you have with that person – you wouldn’t give a teacher what you might give your sister, if those two people were nuns.