Ministry Moment: Confirmation Gifts

One of my favorite things to be a part of are those faith-proclaiming moments when heaven touches Earth and we see the testimony of God so clearly in another person’s life. We can’t help but be moved by it. Gifts aren’t necessary to commemorate something, but they can be a special way of sharing our hearts, and a great way to build one another up in Faith.

A question I get asked all the time is
“What kind of gifts do you give for….” fill in the blank. 

Most of you reading this try to live economically, to be good stewards and the tension of the budget, meeting the desire to give and celebrate with someone, is a real one.

So, this blog is the first in a series called “Heidi’s favorite things!” It’s like Oprah’s Christmas meets life in the Church. 

This post: Confirmation.

Here are a few of my favorites for those of you looking for an idea in any budget…

1) The Christian t-shirt.
For my nephew’s confirmation this year I bought him this t-shirt. Silly, but a good conversation starter –
Wanna Taco Bout Jesus Shirt

There is a Christian t-shirt appropriate for anyone out there. You can get ones with quotes, sports, spoofs, or just a simple cross. Youth are usually more spunky than the rest of us, and they tend to love a goofy t-shirt that proclaims something that matters. Fun alternatives include a scarf with crosses or a cross necklace.

2) Highlighters, colored pens, sticky notes and marginalia.
I believe in marking up my Bible and catechism, and I like to pass that on to future generations. Include a note encouraging your confirmand to keep getting into God’s Word. It’s so tempting to leave it on the shelf, and fun supplies might just be the thing to make an impact.

3) Christian music.
My favorite Christian rapper is Trip Lee. His lyrics are freakishly insightful at times. Check out “I am not a Robot” and see for yourself.

I’m also a wild fan of the bluegrass/folk comeback to the Christian genre. Ellie Holcomb consistently addresses issues of shame and forgiveness that teen girls so often wrestle with. 

Sharing music as a gift is an opportunity to help them understand that what we put in our minds, becomes a part of our heart. Find music that will speak to the youth you are gifting to, not to you. Individualize it. Remember they like to download stuff, so gifting digitally is awesome. Classical music, hymns, or even U2 often have stories behind the music. Gift a song with the story attached of Christ at work in the artist. 
  
4) A Journaling Bible, devotional, Christian fiction novel, or Study Bible.
Again, anything that keeps us in the Word. I use my journaling Bible with my 12 year old and I’m not sure who loves it more, her or me. It’s better together. Offer to share some time in the Word with them in your note.

This is the journaling Bible I have because I like plain jane stuff:

There are lots of options on Amazon and where Christian books are found.

5) A friend reminded me a couple weekends ago that a note is sometimes the best gift. My own Bible is overflowing with encouraging notes from my kids, my youth, and people that were influential throughout my life. Choose a notecard that makes you think of that person and go to town. Encouragement doesn’t cost a penny. 

These are all gifts I’ve given to people in our congregation or family and friends. What gifts do you like to give for confirmation? I’d love to have you share in the comments! 

PS – Full disclosure: As of 2018, I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you do buy something from a link on my site I receive a small amount of money for that referral. I will never share anything I would not actually buy, nor will I share anything only for the sake of linking to Amazon for profit. I promise.