Hello.
My nephew is receiving his Confirmation in the Catholic Church. Time when he becomes an adult in the church's eyes. I am at a loss, though, of what to buy for a gift. I don't want to send a gift card or a shirt, but rather something that says I'll be there when he needs me or something that encourages him to do the right thing. I agree I'm making this a somewhat daunting gift to buy, but in some ways it's like a graduation gift.
Any ideas? Open to all.
Thank you!
Thank you everyone who replied. Great ideas! I ended up going with a simple olive cross and a book. He's still learning about Catholicism and I found a book highly recommended by youth group leads for the teenager. It includes some stories from the Bible with the 'why is that important to me' info. I also seriously considered a Bible geared to the teenager, but chose this book instead.
They generally choose a saint's name to add to their own at Confirmation.. A silver medal on a chain of that saint is a nice appropriate gift. Wearing it he will keep his saint close to his heart.
Or if his own first name is a version of a saint's name, that'll work too.
:)
A cross for his bedroom
A nice rosary
A beautiful framed photo of Christ or M. and the Christ child
If he has been using a child's Bible, perhaps get him a nice adult version?
What are his interests? If he is into drawing/writing at all, I would say to get him a nice journal/drawing pad with an appropriate cover. You can write a nice message on the inside cover, or just a note if you don't want to write on the book itself.
I'd go to a Christian bookstore and look around. My son is 13 and there are lots of books, devotionals etc. he likes there. The only caveat to this is that it's tough to pick a gift that personal out. My son recently got a bible for Christmas. I had given him a gift card and he got a bible but not one I would have picked for him. You just never know someone's heart and what they're needing at what time.
How old is he? I'm not Catholic so I'm not sure what the typical confirmation age is, but I'm guessing he's younger than a late teen?
My first thought is a Bible but ask his parents -- he may have one he already uses a lot, if he used it for his confirmation class.
Go to a Catholic bookstore or any Christian bookstore and look at what they have. There are a lot of devotional books aimed especially at boys of certain ages. I say to visit a bookstore, rather than buy online, because I'd want to look through the books thoroughly to see if they had the kinds of messages that might be meaningful for him at his age; If they are too "old" or "young" for him; and if they use examples from things that interest him now (for instance, a kid who was way into sports might like a book with some sports-themed examples while a kid who just wasn't sporty might find that dull).
I buy my daughter, now 13, religious devotionals a few times a year so I like to look through these kinds of books and know there are many kinds, styles, etc. Some go too far to be cute and hip, while others are too grave and grown-up, but you will find something good for him. Talk to the bookstore staff for help.
Is there a good, age-appropriate Catholic magazine or religious magazine for kids his age? My daughter has enjoyed getting a monthly kids' Christian magazine called Pockets, with articles, fiction and devotions, but she's too old for it now--maybe there is one that's right for your nephew's age. A magazine is a gift that reminds him of you every single month and keeps God's word in front of him regularly even if a book gets set aside.
If he is really into his church experience just now, and really involved at his church, you could ask him and his parents if you could donate something to help his whole confirmation class or the church youth group if he's in it -- they or the group leaders might have ideas for a donation in his honor. (But do still get him something too!)
I think it's lovely and touching that you are taking this special moment in his life with such consideration.
I like the idea (already posted) of a magazine subscription. You might ask his parents, privately, if there's a Catholic publication the kids really like right now. It shouldn't be hard to find the publisher online and arrange for mailing.
If he's into football at all, the movie "Facing the Giants" is a great one with a terrific Christian message, but can be enjoyed by people who aren't "that" religious, if you know what I mean. Ignatius Press also has some great books and movies that are very well done. Fairly recently, they produced a full-length feature about St. Augustine called "Restless Heart" that is very good.
The book "Shorter Christian Prayer" is an excellent introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours, a Catholic devotion. Or a book by or about his confirmation saint would be a good option.
i suggest a book that has meaning for you, and that you think he'd like.
when my son got his phi theta kappa award, the professor who recommended him for the program gave him a copy of rick warren's 'the purpose driven life', which he said changed his life.
could not have interested my son less<G>. but he was so appreciative of the sentiment.
i'd be giving out richard bach's 'illusions' myself. i'm always flabbergasted at anyone who doesn't love it!
but the point is, it's a great demonstration of what's important to you, and how much you'd like to share that with him.
khairete
S.
catholicmom.com/2012/03/04/how-to-chose-the-right-confirmation-gift/
Great ideas/descriptions/meanings of appropriate gifts.
