2016
Christmas
GIFT
GUIDE
by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
For this year’s Christmas gift guide, Catholic Digest has chosen gifts for the
creative, gifts for the home cook, and gifts that appeal to all ages. Some of our favorites
are: the Holy Family Christmas card with St. Andrew’s Christmas novena, designed especially for our readers by watercolorist Monica Welch; Catholic Balm’s aromatic beard
Price
❏ balm; Italian denim apron; teal Swarovski crystal earrings; Our Lady’s Garden coloring
book; and sweet, crunchy Trappistine almond brittle.
Logo &
Address
❏
Job
Code
❏
Tracking
Code
❏
Yellow
Snipe
❏
Shipping
Service
❏
November 2016 • 49
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
GIFTS FOR HOME COOKS
When Chef David Geisser joined the Swiss Guard in 2012, the
dream of having a full-fledged cookbook — featuring more
than 70 recipes and a look inside the walls of the Vatican —
became a reality. In addition to the Swiss Guard’s favorite
recipes, The Vatican Cookbook, a full-color coffee table book,
pays tribute to Pope Francis and his
predecessors, Pope Benedict XVI and
St. John Paul II, and the traditional
recipes of their homelands. $34.99
from SophiaInstitute.com or
800-888-9344.
Inspired by her love of cooking for
and with her family, Jane
Depaolo, a Catholic
mom from Seattle,
founded Jane Domestic.
Perfect for the home
cook is her high-quality
Italian denim apron
and her naturally heatresistant suede oven mitt, which is
made to last for years. $40 apron;
$29 mitt from JaneDomestic.com.
CHRISTMAS CARD WITH ORIGINAL
ARTWORK BY MONICA WELCH
Created expressly for Catholic Digest by DovetailInk watercolor artist
Monica Welch, this purple and gold Holy Family Christmas card
features St. Andrew’s Christmas novena, which is traditionally recited 15
times per day beginning on Nov. 30 and ending on Christmas Day. The
card is blank on the inside, allowing space to write a personal Christmas
greeting, and the back of the card features the words to the novena. $14
(set of eight 4-inch-by-6-inch cards) from Etsy.com/shop/DovetailInk.
50 • catholicdigest.com
To subscribe: 800-678-2836
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
Create healthy all-fruit “ice cream” with the Cuisinart fruit
scoop, which features a paddle that crushes, blends, and freezes
chunks of fresh fruit. Also included is a second paddle to make
traditional ice cream, frozen yogurt, or nondairy ice creams made
with coconut cream. Makes 1.5 quarts in 18 to 25 minutes.
$99.95 from Cuisinart.com.
The bamboo organizing caddy
from g.u.s is a versatile caddy for entertaining, but it also functions well
for sorting and storing condiments,
arts and craft supplies, makeup, or
gardening tools. For 10 percent off
purchase, use CHEER2016. $39.99
from GreatUsefulStuff.com or
800-341-9159.
GIFTS FOR WOMEN
From Virginia jewelry artist Jennifer Cowgill, these
striking teal with amethyst accents Swarovski crystal
earrings, wire-wrapped in oxidized and polished
sterling silver, will dress up any outfit. $32 from
Etsy.com/shop/PoleStar.
Once you wear the Canadian-made NudyPatooty
undershirt, you’ll never want to wear any other
cami. Who knew that fabric made from bamboo can
wick sweat and moisture from the body, keeping
shirts sweat- and odor-free? Comes in nude, white,
or black. $55 from NudyPatooty.com
or 204-400-6232.
November 2016 • 51
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
Women who appreciate pretty,
feminine gifts will love the tapestry
stitched notebook set from Rifle
Paper Co. The set includes three
sewn notebooks with floral illustrated
covers and gold foil-accented interior
pages. Each notebook has 64 ruled
pages. $13.50 for set of three from
RiflePaperCo.com or 407-622-7679.
Exclusive from The Catholic Co. is this special-edition
Mother Teresa rosary bracelet featuring a pewter
St. Mother Teresa medal, a small oxidized silver crucifix, azure
natural aqua terra jasper beads, and ivory-hued riverstone
beads. $36.95 from CatholicCompany.com or 866-522-8465.
History buffs and those with a special devotion
to Our Lady of Guadalupe will be impressed by
Guadalupe Mysteries: Deciphering the Code
by author-photographer team Grzegorz Górny and
Janusz Rosikon. Illustrated with striking paintings and
photographs, the book delves into the mystery of
Mary’s visage on the tilma, the apparition, the impact
it had on the Aztec culture, and much more. $27.16
from Ignatius.com or 800-651-1531.
52 • catholicdigest.com
To subscribe: 800-678-2836
CALL US; 8777 703 1143
Patron Saint Jewelry
1000+ Patron Saints Available
Available in Solid Gold & Sterling Silver
OFFICIALLY
CANONIZED
SEPT 4TH
Number & SportsJewelry
Personalized & Shipped in 1 Day
Exclusive Laser Photo
Engraved Jewelry
Highest Definition Photo Engraving
Personalized Message Engraving
Ships in 1 Day
10% OFF
Y O U R
O R D E R
USE PROMO CODE “POG10” AT CHECKOUT
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
MANLY GIFTS
Appropriate for both the beginner and experienced home brewer, Make
Mead Like A Viking: Traditional Techniques for Brewing Natural,
Wild-Fermented, Honey-Based Wines and Beers by Jereme Zimmerman teaches brewers to put aside modern techniques and return to
the origins of making alcohol. In addition to recipes, the book makes for
a good read because it includes Norse mythology, a
history of mead, and the medicinal uses of some
of the ingredients used by Vikings. $19.96 from
ChelseaGreen.com.
For the bearded gentleman, Catholic Balm's beard balm, a
leave-in conditioner that will leave him smelling comfortingly like
church. Among the five scents offered is “holy smoke,” an
aroma of frankincense, myrrh, and a touch of wood smoke
to evoke the rich smells of incense and perhaps the great
author and theologian G.K. Chesterton who smoked a cigar.
$10 per tin from CatholicBalm.com.
.
Spencer Trappist holiday ale, made by St. Joseph’s
Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, is a festive ale with
a lightly spiced taste and a rich, mahogany color. See
MonasteryGreetings.com or 800-472-0425.
Outdoorsman and wanderers will appreciate the Hoboroll,
an ultralight, 20-liter capacity ripstop nylon fabric bag with
five interior compartments and drawstring straps at each end.
When not in use the bag in folds into a small pouch. $39.99
(10 inches by 15 inches) from GobiGear.com.
54 • catholicdigest.com
To subscribe: 800-678-2836
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
The Catholic Planner is both a day planner and spiritual
planner. Dad or grandpa will appreciate having this masculine-looking planner to keep track of tasks, feast days, future
plans, and goals. One original aspect that sets this planner
apart are pages designated for planning out the 40 days of
Lent. Comes in black, navy, and wine. $32 (7 inches by 10
inches; English or Spanish version) from CatholicPlanner.com.
GIFTS FOR TEENS
AmeriBag calls itself the “healthy back bag” because
it’s designed to keep weight evenly and comfortably
distributed across the back, thus putting less strain
on the neck and shoulders. The main zipper is always
against the wearer’s back, so valuables are protected.
$55—$75 from AmeriBag.com.
Design eye-catching Risograph art prints from
DSLR or cell phone photos. Risographs resemble
screenprints but are actually created on “Xeroxesque” machines, which originated in Japan
in the 1980s. Now Parabo Press offers
these prints to the general public.
The prints come in neon pink,
neon orange, teal, or blue
soy-based ink on 12-inch-by-17-inch
art-quality paper. Parabo ships the prints in
pretty, bend-free packaging, so all you need is a
bow. $30 each from Parabo Press. Parabo.Press.
The ORGO Lite, a nifty organizer for
travel and use in bathrooms with
limited counter space, is perfect for
the college student living in a dorm.
It has 18 adjustable compartments
and a built-in expansion module.
When you unzip, slip, and slide,
it opens up to 3 feet of storage.
$39.99 from EverythingORGO.com.
November 2016 • 55
Give the Gift
of Reading
This Christmas
FROM THE
AUTHOR OF
“SENIOR
MOMENTS”
The Light
of the World
More Senior
Moments
Daily Meditations
for Advent
and Christmas
Prayer-chats with
God about aging
Joy-fully

COLOR YOUR WAY TO
MEDITATION AND PEACE
Spiritual Wisdom
and Divine Light
A Coloring Book for Prayer
and Meditation
This coloring book
takes its inspiration
from the jeweltoned windows
of cathedrals—
popularly called
“rose” windows.
40 PAGES | $5.95 | 8½” X 11”
ORDER 851657

phyllis zagano
Acclaimed author
Phyllis Zagano
explores the
rich themes of
this holy season,
inviting readers
into a prayerful
journey to
Christmas.
136 PAGES | $14.95
5½" X 8½" | ORDER 852128
bernadette
mccarver snyder
This beloved
author brings
laughter, love,
and common
sense wisdom to
all of her prayer
“mutterings.”
112 PAGES | $12.95
5½" X 8½" | ORDER 852111
Praising God
with Saint Francis
A Coloring Book
for Prayer and
Meditation
Allow Francis'
inspired words to
bring you closer to God as
you bring color to these beautiful
images of nature.
40 PAGES | $5.95 | 8½” X 11” | ORDER 851664
TCDNV16
TO ORDER CALL 1-800-321-0411
OR VISIT WWW.23RDPUBLICATIONS.COM
A division of Bayard, Inc.
TCDNOV15
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
A safe and convenient way to
cook or reheat food in a dorm
room or the workplace is the
Hot Logic personal portable
oven. The oven uses conduction heating to cook evenly or
warm meals, which will stay
at a safe serving temperature
for several hours. $39.95
from HotLogicMini.com or
616-935-1040.
The Verso drone can fly right-side up and upside down
with the flip of a button. Though it’s lightweight, it’s tough.
The Verso has three flight modes, including one for beginners, and it has LED lights for night flights. Comes in red,
blue, green, and yellow. $39.99 from Dromida.com.
An Austrian company called
Lomography — with a cult following of
creative photography enthusiasts — has
resurrected instant film cameras. Their
Lomo’Instant Marrakesh has a built-in wide-angle
lens and comes with three additional lenses (a closeup, portrait, and fish-eye lens). There are five aperture settings, the flash can be turned off or on, and it
has multiple-exposure capabilities exclusive to this
camera. It also features a tiny mirror on the front of
the camera, so selfies are never off-center unless
you want them to be. $135 from Lomography.com.
November 2016 • 57
“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me,
it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”
— J. Fitzgerald, VA
We’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie
down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from
heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches
– it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the
nights we’d give anything for a comfortable
chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly
the right degree, raises feet and legs to
precisely the desired level, supports the head
and shoulders properly, operates easily even in
the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper
right off to dreamland.
Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to
do it all. It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs
– but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to
provide total comfort and relaxation not found
in other chairs. It can’t be beat for comfortable,
long-term sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining
and – yes! – peaceful sleep. Our chair’s recline
technology allows you to pause
the chair in an infinite number
of positions, including the
Trendelenburg position and
the zero gravity position where
your body experiences a
minimum of internal
and external stresses.
You’ll love the other
benefits, too: It helps with
correct spinal alignment,
promotes back pressure
This lift chair
relief, and encourages better
puts you safely posture to prevent back and
muscle pain.
on your feet!
Easy-to-use remote for
massage/heat and recline/lift
And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized
biscuit style back and unique seat design will
cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide
armrests provide enhanced arm support when
sitting or reclining. The high and low heat
settings along with the dozens of massage
settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you
might get at a spa – just imagine getting all
that in a lift chair! It even has a battery backup
in case of a power outage. Shipping charge
includes white glove delivery. Professionals will
deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home
where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it,
position it, and even carry the packaging away!
Includes one year service warranty and your
choice of fabrics and colors – Call now!
The Perfect Sleep Chair®
Call now toll free for our lowest price.
Please mention code 104690 when ordering.
1-888-604-7273
Tan
Long Lasting DuraLux Leather
Chocolate Burgundy
Black
DuraLux II Microfiber
Burgundy Cashmere
Fern
Chocolate
Blue
Indigo
© 2016 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
46417
Sit up, lie down —
and anywhere
in between!
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
BIG KID GIFTS
LUX Medium 200 Piece Set is a step beyond Legos; with
these snap-and-lock hinge blocks, young designers can make
structures that curve, bend, and move in order to model
machines, biological organisms, architecture, and more. Made
in the USA. $69.99 (200-piece set) from LuxBlox.com.
With the Crayola Color Spinout, children will have fun
creating patterns and designs. To make a pattern, insert
markers into the gear arms and crank the handle. As the
paper disc pivots, the design forms. Includes spinout base, 40 paper discs, gear arms, six
washable markers, and design guide.
For ages 6 and up. $14.99 from
Shop.Crayola.com.
Root-Vue Farm provides a window
for children to see the growth
process of root vegetables such
as radishes, onions, and carrots.
Includes all supplies and a 16-page
booklet with complete instructions and experiments.
Made in the USA. $34.95
from HSPNatureToys.com.
November 2016 • 59
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
STOCKING STUFFERS
Nuns at Mount St. Mary’s Abbey handcraft
this Trappistine Almond Brittle peppered
with whole almonds. It’s the best brittle
you’ll ever taste! $15.95 (12 ounces) from
MonasteryGreetings.com or 800-472-0425.
Look like you are not wearing socks with Keysocks. The keyhole keeps the tops of feet bare
and the bottoms warm and dry while wearing
heels and ballet flats. $14 from KeySocks.com.
Lumena lotion bar, made by Catholic Balm,
is like a giant Chap Stick for your body. Made
from coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax
with a blend of essential oils, the bar comes in
four heavenly smelling scents — including one
that smells like baptism chrism oil. $15 from
CatholicBalm.com.
60 • catholicdigest.com
With GELLI ARTS gel printing plate kit, young artists can
create prints with a reusable gelatin plate. Put a dab of acrylic
paint on the gelatin and use the roller to cover the plate with
the paint; then draw in the paint and apply stencils and/or
found objects. Lastly, cover the plate with good quality paper
and gently rub the paper by
hand. Peel the paper away
to reveal the design. The kit
comes with a 5-inch-square
printing plate, roller, and
two geometric stencils.
$24.99 from Gelliarts.com
or 800-580-4198.
New from Pauline Books and Media are two gorgeous
coloring books: Our Lady’s Garden: A Coloring Book for
Prayer and Meditation and Windows Into Christ: A Coloring Book for Prayer and Meditation. Our Lady’s Garden
features original drawings of beloved Marian devotions
and apparitions such as Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, and
more from Brazilian illustrator Veruschka Guerra. Windows
Into Christ features 50 stained-glass windows from the
Chartres Cathedral that take you on a meditative journey
through the life of Christ from his birth to his resurrection. These coloring books are appealing to both children
and adults. $14.95 for Our Lady’s Garden and $16.95 for
Windows Into Christ from PaulineStore.org.
To subscribe: 800-678-2836
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
GIFTS FOR LITTLE TYKES
The newest Sister Softy doll is Sister Gertrude,
a 14-inch Benedictine nun doll that’s soft and
huggable. Use promo code “CD3” to save $3 per
doll. $36 from ABCCatholic.com.
Your granddaughter will feel like a
mermaid princess is this ultimate
mermaid sleeping bag set.
Comes in blue, purple, and orange.
$149.99 from Enchantails.com
Rescue Boat & Helicopter from Green Toys is made
from 100-percent recycled plastic and is specially
designed to float in the water for bath-time play. Recommended for ages 2 and up. $34.99 from GreenToys.com.
“B” is for barn and “P” is for pig in the BeginAgain alphabet puzzle farm playset. Made of eco-friendly rubber,
the pieces represent each of the letters of the alphabet. For ages 3 and up. $40 from BeginAgainToys.com.
November 2016 • 61
• Gift Guide by Lori Hadacek Chaplin
STOCKING STUFFERS continued
Praying With Mother Angelica: Meditations on the
Rosary, the Way of the Cross, and Other Prayers is a
compilation of Mother Angelica’s previously published
meditations: My Life in the Rosary, Living Way of the
Cross, and Ad Lib with the Lord. The prayer book includes
meditations for all four
mysteries of the Rosary,
the Way of the Cross,
and more. Mother
Angelica’s writing is as
direct and charming as
ever and is sure to be
a treasured gift. $14.95
from SophiaInstitute.
com or 800-888-9344.
Set at the time just before Christ’s
side is pierced, Risen is a film about
a Roman soldier named Tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) who Pontius
Pilate delegates to investigate what
happened to Christ’s missing body.
Tribune Clavius witnessed Jesus
die upon the cross, so he knows
rationally that the “King of the Jews” is deceased —
or is he? $17.49 (DVD) from Amazon.com.
With the Geospace JUMP ROCKET LED Night Shotz,
the harder the child jumps on the launchpad, the higher
the glowing rocket soars (up to 100 feet). Each set
includes three LED rockets with foam nose cones. For
ages 3 and up. $24.99 from GeospacePlay.com.
Kids can scooter on snow with the Ski Skooter.
Designed for flat areas and hills, the Ski Skooter
can also be used as a sled.
Also works on grassy
hills and sand dunes. For
ages 4 and up (holds up
to 220 pounds.) $49.99
Amazon.com.
Zip It, The Small Space Word Race is a new, fast-paced
game from Bananagrams where two players each race to
arrange 12 letters into intersecting words. The first player to
form all the letters into a crossword wins that round. Use
the zipper on the side of the pouch to keep score; the first
to achieve 10 wins is the victor. For ages 7 and up. $12.99
from Bananagrams.com.
Prices in the gift guide are
subject to change.
Lori Hadacek Chaplin lives in Idaho with her
husband, David, and their four children.
62 • catholicdigest.com
To subscribe: 800-678-2836
An impressive 16” high with
illuminated Crèche and
Nativity structures, and over
40 characters all hand-crafted!
Aglow with the true spirit of Christmas!
First Ever Thomas Kinkade
Illuminated Nativity Tree!
The Nativity story comes vividly to life in a threedimensional, fully sculpted, illuminated miniature
tree inspired by the Painter of Light ™. This beautiful tree
retells the blessed event step by step—from the
Three Kings’ journey to Bethlehem, to the
heavenly angels bringing good tidings and
praise, to the night Jesus was born.
Superb handcraftmanship &
hand-painting
Handcrafted, hand-painted scenes and figurines nestle cozily within its lush, sculptural
greenery. Reflecting a warm, holiday glow,
the tree and structures illuminate and it
plays the cherished melody, Silent
Night. The brilliant crystalline
Christmas Star treetopper, beautiful mahogany-finish base and brass
name plaque make it truly a one-of-a-kind.
Back View: Beautiful
from any angle!
Urgent Notification! Availability
Is Strictly Limited. Be one of the
first to get this incredible Nativity
tree, remarkably priced at $135.00,
payable in 4 convenient installments of just $33.75*, the first
due before shipment. Orders
limited to one tree per customer. Send no money now.
Your prompt response is critical.
Simply complete and mail the
attached coupon today!
Plays the
cherished
melody
of Silent
Night
Powered by
AC adapter
(included) or 3
“AA” batteries
(not included).
Shown
smaller
than actual
size.
The Holy
Family looks
radiant under
the soft glow of
the illuminated
Crèche.
www.bradfordexchange.com/nativitytree
RESERVATION APPLICATION
©2016 Thomas Kinkade
©2016 BGE 14-00101-001-CI
SEND NO MONEY NOW
Mrs. Mr. Ms.
Name (Please Print Clearly)
Address
9345 M ilw au kee Aven u e · Niles, IL
60714-1393
Yes!
Meticulously crafted
and painted by hand!
Please reserve one Thomas Kinkade
“Glory To The Newborn King” Illuminated Nativity
Tree Masterpiece Edition as described in this
announcement. I need SEND NO MONEY NOW.
City
State
Zip
14-00101-001-E23001
*Plus $19.99 shipping and service. Please allow 4-8 weeks after initial payment for shipment. Sales
subject to product availability and order acceptance.