Cool Christian Gifts That Aren't a Mug
Picture a teenager standing in the gift aisle of a Christian bookstore. She turns a coffee mug over in her hands and sets it back on the shelf. She isn't against faith. She just doesn't want to be handed a slogan.
Short answer: cool Christian gifts are plain, well made and quiet about it: a simple cross, a good journal, a replica of an ancient manuscript, a compass with a verse.
That aisle is where "cool Christian gifts" starts. Many people who search for them aren't looking for something edgy. They want something they wouldn't be embarrassed to give a friend who isn't sure about church, or to a friend who is very sure.
So we looked for gifts that carry their faith the way a good book does, in the substance and not the slogan. Seven are below. All prices were checked on 23 Oct, and a price in US dollars is marked.
Seven gifts that aren't a mug
Brutalist oxidized sterling silver cross pendant, from talosjewels, CA$161.54 (checked 23 Oct). The listing describes a minimalist pendant in oxidized sterling silver, made with traditional wax modelling and cast in metal. The shop is listed in Thessaloniki, Greece, and the listing ships to Canada. Best for: someone who finds a polished cross too decorative. Not for: anyone wanting a bright, shiny cross.
Sterling silver mountain mustard seed ring, from 6daycreations, CA$47.56 (checked 23 Oct). A sterling silver ring inspired by Jesus' words about faith as small as a mustard seed. The shop is listed in Wisconsin and the listing ships to Canada. Best for: a graduate or young adult who wears rings. Not for: anyone whose ring size is uncertain.
P52 papyrus replica, the Gospel of John fragment, from ManuscriptLab, CA$88.08 (checked 23 Oct). A replica of one of the oldest known fragments of the Gospel of John, on genuine Egyptian papyrus, framed or unframed. The shop is listed in Wales. Best for: a seminary graduate, pastor or anyone who loves how the New Testament got here. Not for: anyone expecting an original manuscript; it's a replica.
Book of Common Prayer ceramic lightswitch cover, from Stirabout, CA$84.87 (checked 23 Oct). A ceramic lightswitch cover with a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer, offered as a way to add prayer into daily rhythms. It turns a switch that's touched a dozen times a day into a small reminder to pray. The shop is listed in Washington state and the listing ships to Canada. Best for: an Anglican priest, a new rector or a new household. Not for: anyone without an Anglican or Episcopal connection to the prayer chosen.
Engraved brass compass, Be Strong and Courageous, from LeatherBologna, CA$36.73 (checked 23 Oct). A personalized brass compass engraved with a phrase and a Bible verse. The listing shows a Canadian dispatch origin. A compass is a plain picture of direction, and a young graduate can keep it in a pocket. Best for: a teen or graduate leaving home for school or work. Not for: anyone who wants a gift with no engraving.
Celtic cross embossed leather prayer journal, from MhareCA, CA$55 (checked 23 Oct). A leather journal, 7 by 5 inches, embossed with a Celtic cross framed by knotwork. The shop is listed in Toronto. It's new, with 3 sales shown, so a buyer takes a small risk on an unproven seller. Best for: a pastor, seminarian or graduate who keeps a prayer journal. Not for: anyone who wants a long track record.
Orthodox icon print mounted on wood, from StSpyridonIcons, CA$21.97 (checked 23 Oct). The listing says this is a flat icon print mounted on wood, with printed gold-coloured areas and no real gold leaf. It's plain about what it is, which makes it a fair entry gift. The shop is listed in Texas. Best for: a godchild's name-day saint at a low price. Not for: anyone expecting a painted icon.
For women, for teens
Cool Christian gifts for women tend to land best as small, wearable and specific, so the mustard seed ring and the prayer journal suit most readers. Cool Christian gifts for teens need to survive a backpack and a locker, so the compass and the ring work better than anything fragile. If you aren't sure of the person's tradition, choose the compass, the ring or the journal, none of which assumes one.
From our shop
Our own gifts are quiet too. The Word Became Flesh Print, $25 (our price on 23 Oct), has Christmas words from the Gospel of John, centred on a quiet print with generous margins. Family Name Household Verse Print, $25 (our price on 23 Oct), carries a family name, the year established and a verse about serving the Lord. Best for: a household, a new home or a reader who likes plain type.
How we chose
We chose gifts that carry their faith in the substance and not the slogan. We say when a seller is new, when an item is a replica or a print, and where a listing tells us too little. Our own gifts are last here because this guide is about what else is out there. Some links earn us a small commission at no cost to you. How we pick, and what we earn, is on our disclosure page.
A thought for the card
The Teacher in Ecclesiastes says that enjoying good work and good gifts is itself part of what we're given.
...it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:13, KJV)
Questions people ask
- What makes a Christian gift cool? Usually that it's useful or beautiful first, and faithful second. A compass, a journal or a quiet cross will outlast a slogan.
- What are cool Christian gifts for women? Small, wearable or personal pieces such as a ring, a journal or a prayer object, matched to her tradition.
- What are cool Christian gifts for teens? Things that survive a backpack: a compass, a ring, a Bible cover. Let the gift be useful and let the verse be small.
- Do these ship to Canada? Each pick says where the seller is listed and the listing ships to Canada. Check the seller's page for shipping and duties before you order.
- Can I get something personalized? The compass can be personalized, and our own gifts carry a name and a date. Ask the seller to show you the engraving or proof first.
Browse more in our shop.