I know I benefit from seeing others' ideas for gifts, so without further ado, I offer a few ideas of my own. I do participate in the Amazon affiliate program, so those links do result in a small commission when you use them. My opinions are always my own. The other links are not sponsored — just things I love!
For your little ones, music! I can't recommend Cecilia and Emma Black's Singsong Pennywhistle enough, and they have a new album, Barnyard Dance! Your children will learn traditional tunes and you will actually enjoy the process!
We love Upton Tea. Their service is impeccable, their shipping fast, and their teas pure (even the flavored ones — no cloying artificial additives) and of high quality. Our favorites that we've ordered again and again: Rose Congou, Lavender Earl Grey, River Shannon blend, and for breakfast, the Scottish Breakfast Blend, which I like as much as or more than Barry's. The Chief loves green tea and his favorite is Special Grade Temple of Heaven Gunpowder Green. I looked high and low for Rooibus and really enjoy theirs. The packets and tins can be personalized, which is really fun and makes giving different varieties to a family easy to accomplish.
My friend Pascale has a beautiful shop, Pease Porridge Press, with all the old children's books your heart could desire. Your purchase is lovingly wrapped, meaning you can send directly from her to your recipient.
John Folley (aka The Artist) has a beautiful book out: A Child’s Christmas ABC Book: Angels in the Air Arrayed. It has all the makings of a classic.
I really love these slippers. Here are my criteria: they must be made of wool including on the interior, have good arch support, an open back, and a non-slip sole — but still be flexible. Slippers that cost more lack one of these elements — I prefer these. Order a size that is less than the usual one; at first they will really seem too tight, but they quickly shape around the foot. I usually wear an 8 and I get a 7. If I hadn't read the reviews I would have sent them back. Now they fit perfectly (as did my previous pair).
This electric kettle has the nicest heft to it, costs a reasonable amount, has the least contact of water to plastic elements, holds a lot of water, works fast, and lasts long. I've been to all the stores and looked at all the kettles. This is the one I have used for years. (I will say that they all have the same dubious little pin at the bottom, so none will last forever. I'm on my second one, and the first was replaced for me by the company quickly when it failed after a year.)
This site is pricey, but I found this cotton herringbone throw (I was given a gift certificate) and I really love it. I got the cinnamon — it's a nice light burnt orange that reads as neutral in my oddball bedroom. Free shipping too!
My friend Leila Miller recommends the Beany Malone series for adolescent girls — found here along with many other great selections of classic children's literature.
I hope this helps with your shopping!
On to our links!
bits & pieces
- Robert Reilly is always worth reading (another gift idea — one of his books!). Here he puts Mozart into context, the context of miracle: Mere Mortals Eavesdropping: The Greatness of Mozart. “Mozart is our musical Eden. Somehow, in his musical ability, he escaped the stamp of original sin and sings with purity of the first days. Aaron Copland expressed it this way: ‘Mozart… tapped once against the source from which all music flows, expressing himself with a spontaneity and refinement and breathtaking rightness that has never since been duplicated.' But as a fallen man in every other way, Mozart also expresses the depth of loss. This is the sadness of his perfection.”
- It seems likely that a lot of us will get Covid. Some common supplements that might help mitigate the severity.
- Great longer essay about Julian of Norwich, who is often misunderstood as some sort of universalist, when she embraces the deepest truths of faith. “Julian presents to us the mystical complement to the intellectual insight of St. Augustine and St. Thomas. She shows us (through what was shown to her) that God has painted creation with a place for the darkness of sin.”
- The little-known story of the incredible martyrdom of Silesian priests 75 years ago, offered by scholar and LMLD friend, Brownen McShea.
from the archives
- Quiet moments with Christmas books. (Be alert, by the way, for all the books and calendars that say that the Blessed Virgin was engaged to Joseph. She was betrothed, which in Jewish times didn't mean what engaged means now, and in fact was the first step to marriage. See here for a thorough explanation. I just say betrothed and if possible change the text with a pen!)
liturgical living
St. Sabas — I hear he tamed a lion!
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Terri says
I haven’t even looked at your links yet, but I’m so excited to get your gift recommendations. I was just thinking earlier this week that I would love just such a list from you. Thank you!
Leila says
Thank you, Terri! You’re so sweet, considering what a good gift-giver you are!
Jennifer S says
Your link to “Quiet Moments with Christmas Books” is broken (404 page). I found the correct page by doing a search, but you might want to fix the link! Blessings!
Anastasia Brodeur says
What is your preferred method of making a single cup of loose leaf tea? I haven’t found one I’m satisfied with yet (tried the strainer that sits on top of the cup, the little metal ball on a chain and the spring one like a mesh enclosed spoon – my technical descriptions, haha). I’ve considered making myself little reuseable fabric teabags in my non-existent spare time. I love good tea but usually only make a single cup for myself in the afternoons when homeschooling is over for the day.
Leila says
You have to keep an eye out for the tea balls — some are better than others. The strainer is not for sitting on the cup; it’s for pouring out of the teapot into the cup — the leaves stay in the pot. That works well for leaves that don’t get bitter or for when you know you will pour out the whole pot right away.
I found a little one-cup teapot at a thrift store, and that is my preferred way to make one cup!
Also, Upton (and amazon) sell little paper individual teabags that work well. You simply fold over the top after filling. The tea stays inside.
Amy says
Anastasia, I am a big tea drinker and last year for my birthday I received a Kati tea cup which comes with an infuser from Tea Forte. I just checked their website and you can buy the infuser separately if you don’t need another mug for $8; the mug and infuser together are $20, though I see a few on sale for $16. I would definitely recommend this infuser – the little handle means the infuser can be used with other mugs besides the Kati and I find it’s large enough to hold your tea and give it room to steep properly.
Karen says
Thank you for explaining the ancient meaning of “betrothed”. I am seeing this translation issue all over the place, including in good quality Catholic books by reputable publishers! My daughter has an Advent book put out by Ignatius Press that has Mary saying at the Annunciation: “But how can I have a baby? I’m not even married to Joseph yet!” The New Catholic Picture Bible by Father Lovasik also explains that Mary and Joseph were not yet married at the time of the Annunciation. My daughter has to use the Good News Translation Catholic Edition Bible (ugh) for her middle school PSR class, and sure enough, the Gospel of Matthew states that Mary was engaged to Joseph and not yet married and the Gospel of Luke presents Mary and Joseph as not even married by the time Jesus is born! I plan on asking my pastor about all of this when I see him for spiritual direction next week, but I’m wondering where I can find good Catholic children’s books that get this right. Am I overthinking this?
Jana says
You are not overthinking this. Words matter. Especially about the moment that the Word became flesh. It is distressing to see these (I’m sure well-meant) dumbed-down, ham-handed and sometimes borderline blasphemous contortions of this perfect word of Our Lady. When reading aloud, I always use Her own words, “How can this be, since I do not know man?”
Leila often mentions that previous generations were content to draw a veil over such things. We would not budge into the details of any conception, infinitely less so this one. When we speak Our Lady’s own words, we guide our own little ones in the way of piety and, how shall I put it? A sort of modesty?
And so I highly recommend the Douay-Rheims Translation of the Bible. It is full of words that little ones can savor and wonder about. An example, from Mt.1:18-19 “When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately”.
Joseph, her husband. . . Mary was espoused.
Megan Frei says
Thank you, Auntie Leila! So helpful. The folk CD will be a wonderful gift for my five year old. Have a blessed Advent!
Mary says
Those slippers look so comfy! How many years did your first pair last?
Leila says
My first pair lasted two years. You have to understand that I wear them every day all day from October to April at least! The rubber on the sole sort of wore away at the end. I kept gluing but then it was time for flip-flops.
Carol Kennedy says
I have read most of the Beany Malone books and shared the early ones with my kids. They are fun books about a Catholic family though they are not about “being Catholic”. I would say the later ones (they follow Beany until she is married and a mother) are not for younger teens. The later ones tackled more dramatic 60’s issues like drug addiction (not that it isn’t an issue now, but the drama is ratcheted up a bit). Really, the first 3 are the best.
Patricia Benitez Benitez says
Thank you for the recommendations! This year brought a new opportunity for me. I have been hired to homeschool the staff children of our local community crisis center. I can’t wait to get the folksong album to use with them.
Teri Pittman says
I started buying those electric kettles after your recommendation. But I find the switch wears out too quickly. I bought a Soulhand tea steamer from Amazon. It’s so amazing. it has a basket like a percolator to hold the tea and actually steams it. There are three settings, black tea, oolong tea and white tea. There is a setting to just boil water and one to keep the tea warm. Going on my second year with it and there’s no pesky switch to die on it. And it has auto shut off.
Leila says
I will have to look into the steamer! But I will say that the company for the kettle replaced my first one (I can’t remember how long it was after I bought it, but it was long) when it failed.
Pascale says
Thanks so much for recommending my shop, Leila- your readers make the nicest customers! And I am a giant fan of the Beany Malone books… they were a favorite series of my sisters and mine when we were younger… I’m re-reading them right now to my granddaughter and enjoying them just as much! And, John Folley’s book is absolutely stunning- bought copies for all of my grandchildren! ❤️
Anamaria says
The kings brought my littlest one the Barnyard Dance album last night! Thank you!!
Christina A says
One of my favorite podcasts just did an episode with the leader of the Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation; it starts with a somewhat lengthy bio of Scruton, continues with a discussion of what the foundation is doing to keep Scruton’s conservative ideals alive, and ends with a small list of where to start with his writings.
Canon Calls, Remembering Roger Scruton with Fisher Derderian
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/canon-calls/id1468028842?i=1000527215532
Christina A says
Roger Scruton just keeps popping up in the podcast world! Here is a delightful installment of Proverbial by Joshua Gibbs which he dedicated to Roger Scruton shortly after his passing; the proverb he considers in this episode is from Edmund Burke, but there is a great Scruton quote about conservatism starting in minute 23.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proverbial/id1481266455?i=1000462818480