I received so many good suggestions last week when I asked about B-day gift for my husband...here is a tricky one.
I have an aunt who is a catholic nun. She is celebrating her 50th jubilee in 2 weeks. Is this a gift giving event?
I want to get her something silly but not inappropriate. My aunt, although a nun, is very silly and young at heart.
But I have no clue as to what I should get. Any religious ppl out there with suggestions??
Thank you for the suggestions. @Jessica...I was thinking of getting her something not too religioulsy. I mean really...how many bibles and rosaries does she need :) @ Mommyof2boys...I have never heard of that book before but I LOVE it. I am going to get that for her. I think she would find the humor in it! Thank you so much!!
I have the best book!! It's called "The Book of Bad Habits." It is absolutely hilarious! (I am a Catholic, so I know she'll appreciate it!) Something like this with a sweet congrats card would be really nice.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-bad-habits-pa...
A gift is definitely appropriate. Check your local listings for a Catholic Gift Store in your area. They should have some great cards and religious gifts, but don't be afraid of getting her something non-religious. Nuns are people too. :-) My grandmother's best friend for her entire life was a nun. They were going to be nuns together except my Gram met my grandfather, and her friend continued with the vows.
I have made donations to our local crisis pregnancy center as gifts for people over the years - they have been very well received. They were able to provide a card stating that a gift has been made in your name, etc. I would still give your aunt a token gift as well.
Ok, hubby was raised Catholic, so I asked him...
Yes, gifts are probably appropriate. You might want to talk to your mother or father (whoever she is related through) to see what might be appropriate?
You probably know her personality more than we do.... what about a small gift for her, and a card that also says.. "In honor of your 50th Jubilee, We've given a donation to "whatever charity" "
As far as a personal gift... does she like music? If so, maybe a CD by her favorite group? A cute stuffed animal, to remind her of something when she was young?
What has her job been in the Catholic Church? Was she assigned to a particular church to work with the priest, or has she been working/teaching at an area school? You might tie the gift in with that......
(My husband's cousin is a nun... she taught Chemistry at a Catholic college in Kansas.. she is retired, now.)
I would have a Mass offered for her Jubilee, as well as getting her a secular gift. Even nuns like to eat out, so perhaps a gift card for a nice restaurant would do.
Thinkgeek.com is one of my absolute favorite silly/quirky places to get things.
If she's has a cellphone... how about a SWAT/ tactical throat mic? After all, it's hard to put ear peices under habits http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cell-phone/c8e1/#tabs
Or if she likes Doctor Who: "The Angels Have the Call Box" tshirt
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/womens/e78e/
Who doesn't need a hand painted silk bacon scarf?
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/miscellaneous/e64f/
Nightvision goggles, caffeine molecule necklace, lightsaber umbrella, titanium spork, Mad Scientist Wooden Blocks (A - Appendages, B-
Bioengineering, C - Caffeine, D - Dirigible, E - Experiment, F - Freeze ray, G - Goggles, H - Henchmen, I - Invention), giant plush microbe, swiss army knife w/ flash drive...
And then (thinkgeek aside) there's just fun stuff related to interests:
- Tapshoes or a Broadway Show or Cirque du Soleil tickets (depending on whether she like seeing or doing)
- An airplane or helicopter ride
- National Geographic Genographic Project (to trace genetic history) http://www.ngsednet.org/community/index.cfm?community_id=278
- or their "every page of every issue of National Geographic for the past 121 years on 6 DVDs http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/browse/productDeta...
- A kindle or Nook, with some prebought Dr Seuss or Shel Silverstein
- Midnight catechism (this REALLY depends on her sense of humor, I went for the first time my mass twice a day grandmother, her priest, and two nuns, and several women from their church... but it's... ahh... tongue in cheek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jrh_uuPmd0 Funds from the tickets go toward helping retired nuns in need)
Essentially an experiential present for something she loves doing; culture, adventure, music, reading, mad scientists, bacon...
It really depends on the type of community she's in. Some are allowed whatever they want, other orders where they are only allowed a few small personal items. I would keep that in mind.
Silly things I've seen are boxing nuns, or ones that you crank and they breath fire (little sparks). Best wishes.
I would think an inexpensive gift and a donation to a beloved cause is a winning combination. Perhaps you can find a clean joke book she might appreciate.
Thank you JessicaWessica! I worked for the Catholic Church for 9 years before becoming a SAHM. I cannot tell you how many people thought a present for me needed to involve a cross or praying hands or something. I mean, hello! I am a person, too!
A gift is a wonderful idea. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a card if you live anywhere near a Catholic books store. I think it would be lovely to get her a nice card with a thoughtful note and a present for her! Just get her something that she would enjoy, and don't worry about whether or not it's religious ... as long as it's not inappropriate.
