The Catholic Gentleman’s Christmas Gift Guide 2016 Edition

Christmas is coming, and many of your are looking for the perfect gift for the Catholic man in your life. Yet, we men can be hard to buy for sometimes! Don’t worry, I’m here to help. Here’s 12 gift ideas that any man will love.

The Catholic Gentleman Rosary

This manly rosary features heavy, gunmetal steel beads, military grade paracord, and a crucifix with relic dirt from the catacombs. It is the ultimate spiritual weapon for any Catholic man. [Temporarily sold out. They will be back in stock this coming week and will ship in time for Christmas.]

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Be Not Afraid: A Book of Quotes for Catholic Men

The Holy Catholic Church has produced thousands upon thousands of saints. Among them were countless authentic men who knew that holiness is the highest calling, the supreme vocation of every man.

Some were swashbuckling soldiers like St. Ignatius Loyola. Others were converted Lotharios like St. Augustine. Still others were peaceful hermits like St. Peter Damian. Though they have long since been laid to rest, the heroic lives of these men still shake the world. And these men still speak to us today. They teach us how to be courageous, how to suffer, how to grow in virtue, and ultimately, how to find God, the true end of every man. These are their words.

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Medieval Dragon Tankard

Medieval times were filled with magic, myth, and combat. What man doesn’t love the idea of sitting in a pub with sword and shield close at hand, singing and telling tales of danger by a roaring fire? Even if time-travel to such a place isn’t possible in the modern age, this beautiful two-handled dragon tankard can transport you there in your imagination. I have one and it is simply awesome.

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Regina Cigars

Regina cigars combine two things men love: the Virgin Mary and tobacco. Each cigar style is named afted a Marian dogma or title. These delightful cigars are high quality too, providing a long and enjoyable smoke. You can feel good about your purchase too, knowing that a portion of the proceeds goes to support Catholic missions. Be sure to check out their Christmas line!

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Pocket Knife

Pocket knives can be both functional and beautiful, and every man should have one in his pocket. I recently got a handcarved scrimshaw pocket knife in Boston, and it is a work of art. I recommend anything by Case, a classic American knife maker. If you want a scrimshaw one like mine, see here and here.

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Art from Daniel Mitsui

Incredible Catholic artists didn’t die out in the Middle Ages. Daniel Mitsui is a real artisan who crafts stunning works of art with pen, paper, and other print media. He recently sent me a print of St. Joseph’s dream (image left), as well as St. Brendan the Navigator, and the detail is exquisite. A work of art from Daniel will be an unforgettable gift. He sells high quality prints, and even better, you can commission him to create something completely new for you. Not only will you get an exquisite work of art, you will support the vocation of a Catholic artist.

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The Gentleman’s Society Subscription

The Gentleman’s Society is a place for men to meet, learn, and grow in faith. Members get acess to discussion forums, a closed Facebook group, monthly webinars, and a monthly newsletter. Join today!

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Bibliotheca Library

A couple of years ago, I heard about a project to create a beautiful new Bible from scratch. The vision was for the Bible to be readable like any other book. No verse numbers, no chapter headings, just words in all their simplicity—as they were originally intended to be read. Only the finest paper and binding would be used. It would be a work of art like no other available edition of the scriptures.

After two years of hard work, Bibliotheca is finally finished, and I can’t wait to get my copy in the mail! This beautiful Bible would be an awesome gift for any Catholic man looking to deepen his experience of reading the scriptures. It’s a protestant project, but don’t worry, you can get the complete, Catholic Bible at no extra cost. Be sure to select the option when checking out. Unfortunately, it won’t likely ship in time for Christmas, but just knowing it’s on the way would be exciting enough.

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Tobacco Pipe

There are few things as relaxing as smoking with a beautiful briar pipe. The smooth wood in your hand, the craftsmanship, the aromatic clouds of smoke encircling one’s head—all these combine to create an experience worthy of a gentleman. I recommend Stanwell, Missouri Meerschaum, or Icarus pipes to start. If you don’t know what kind of pipe to get, try a handy starter kit.

Leather Journal

Men and leather go hand and hand. The feel, the smell, the look. It’s just manly. I love my leather journals, and I recommend a beautiful leather journal for a more affordable gift that is still a winner. It can be used for sketching, notetaking, or journaling (a traditional manly skill). There are hundreds of options and styles, but here’s one that is really sharp and won’t break the bank.

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Fountain Pen

Fountain pens, like all things of quality, are about refinement. Yes, you can write adequately with any old pen, but when you hold a weighty writing instrument in your hand, the experience changes. A quality pen doesn’t just write, it glides, giving you unprecedented control. You might even find your handwriting improves.

If you’re looking for a good low-end fountain pen, check out Pilot. They are cheap and work well. If you want something high end, try something like this. There are as many fountain pen styles as there are tastes, so you can’t go wrong with this gift.

Safety Razor

Beards aren’t for everyone, and if you prefer the clean shaven look, you deserve the shaving experience offered by a classic safety razor. Nothing compares to cold steel in your hand, lathering your face with finely scented soap, and the gentle touch of a badger hair brush. With a safety razor, shaving stops being a chore and becomes an experience to savor. This gift is sure to please the Catholic gentleman in your life. I recommend razors from Fendrihan men’s goods. They have a large selection of beautiful razors to match any price point.

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