Christmas Gift for Priest?

[ilovemygirl]

My three year old wants to get a gift for our priest. We attend mass every week and he knows us but I wouldn't say we are very close with him. Does anyone know if getting him a gift is appropriate and if so what kind of gift we should get a priest?

TIA

[Tradd]

Do you bake? Banana bread, a plate/tin of cookies wouldn't break the bank and your LO would probably enjoy being involved in the process (decorating?).

ETA: a gift is DEFINITELY appropriate. Small is better. I'm an Orthodox Christian and it's common for me to give our (married with adult children) something I baked. He gets the same from other parishioners. If your priest doesn't like whatever food item he receives, he can either serve it to his guests that come over or take it to a holiday gathering or share it with his parish office staff. It won't go to waste!

[cappuccinosmom]

Totally appropriate. 

This is hilarious, but most of the priests and monks my parents know would adore a good bottle of wine as a gift.  But maybe not from a 3 yo.

Some nice baked goods, or a crucifix or icon, or if you know him well a book that you know he'd appreciate. 

[Fay]

A gift card for a gas station?  Priests visit homebound parishioners and hospitals often, so they do need gas money.  This year I got my priest a day pass to the community recreation center, since I know that he likes to exercise.  Priests receive more baked goods than they can possibly eat at Christmas...maybe a freezer-ready meal would be better instead.

[la mamita]

i would go with a gift card or a nice box of chocolates. the second is my standard gift i-don't-know-you-well-enough-but-almost-everyone-loves-chocolate...

[Trigger]

Fr. D is getting good scotch and Belgian chocolate.

[wishin'&hopin']

I'm a priest and will get MANY plates of cookies.  And, truth be told, I kind of dread it.  Mostly b/c cookies in my house get eaten, by me.  And, too many cookies is too many for this mama!  Money gifts make me uncomfortable because of the ethics of accepting them, and in my mind, alcohol as a gift becomes problematic b/c I know too many folk who are alcoholic.  All that said, I am always grateful for the thought behind the gift and always say "thank you".  

My favorite gifts from children (and people in general ) tho' are the handmade ones.  I'd much rather have a handmade, glitter filled card from a child than just about anything else...

[frugalmama]

Originally Posted by wishin'&hopin' 

I'm a priest and will get MANY plates of cookies.  And, truth be told, I kind of dread it.  Mostly b/c cookies in my house get eaten, by me.  And, too many cookies is too many for this mama!  Money gifts make me uncomfortable because of the ethics of accepting them, and in my mind, alcohol as a gift becomes problematic b/c I know too many folk who are alcoholic.  All that said, I am always grateful for the thought behind the gift and always say "thank you".  

My favorite gifts from children (and people in general ) tho' are the handmade ones.  I'd much rather have a handmade, glitter filled card from a child than just about anything else...

Totally This. I have many friends who are priests/seminarians and it's always food food food for gifts. And normally it's sweets. If it's not sweets it's religious items - trust me your priest has plenty of crucifixes and icons. Freezer ready meals are good though, especially if said priest is living alone. Ask first of course for allergies, etc.

A gift card to the bookstore, gas station, grocery store, mall, etc it greatly appreciated, especially if said priest it a member of an order that takes vows of poverty. Don't give cash, especially in that case, as they may have to turn all cash over to the order.

A really nice gift a priest friend of mine in college got one year was an entire family gifting him a "work day" each month - they came over to his apartment, cleaned, did his laundry, cooked some homemade meals, mowed the grass outside, did minor repairs - i.e. all the stuff he didn't have time or didn't know how to do himself. He was a very busy priest though as the on-call for 7  hospitals while taking college classes for his master's in religion.

I'd go with a nice handmade card from your child, and a gift card.

[lilyka]

I would not give food.  I know especially this time of year my priest has more food than he knows what to do with.  Between gifts and just generous old ladies he will also be doing house blessings soon and every home offers him something to eat usually something on the high calorie/high fat/high carb side of things.

Things that work well:  A nice bottle of scotch or wine or even a nice six pack of good beer, a nice cigar or a pound of good coffee. (of course you would need t o know your priest well enough to know if he wanted these sorts of things).  Perhaps a gift card to a book store or a store that sells general merchandise or something for a hobby you know he has.  

If you knit or sew perhaps you could make him something nice like a pair of socks or a hat.

But since your child wants to get him a gift perhaps she should decide on something for him.  Give her some money (a small amount like $10) and take her shopping.  Whatever she gets goes.  regardless of how silly it. :)  If she is crafty the could make him somethings sweet like an ornament  for his tree, a fancy card, a T shirt that says "best priest ever"....whatever.  Just something to let him know she was thinking of him.

Also if your priest is unmarried a home made meal for his freezer may also be appreciated.  But ask about allergies, dietary restrictions, keep the fasts in mind and shoot for something healthy or tell him what you would like to do and ask if there are any special requests.