Are family, friends, or parishioners asking for a Christmas wish list for you? We have some great ideas to pass along to them!
This year’s suggested gift list is an eclectic mix your loved ones will be delighted to give you to help you relax, grow, and tend to your spirit in the coming year.
Whatever 2023 brings—and it’s bound to be full of surprises— with these gifts you’ll be able to re-center yourself on what’s most important.
With twelve gifts on the list this year, there’s even one for each of the twelve days of the Christmas season!
Merry (early) Christmas!
P.S. Backstory Preaching receives no compensation for suggesting these items or any that are purchased.
#1. The Storymatic Classic – Creative Writing Prompts and Story Games – Storyteller Cards
$29.95
Why this gift for preachers?
Because this is an über-fun way to grow creative writing skills for storytelling in preaching!
From the Amazon.com website:
Tons of Writing Prompts – A go-to writing and teaching tool used by writers, performers, artists, and creative people around the world. These 540 cards can help with writer’s block and can get your creative juices flowing. Great gift for writers!
How to Use – The basics are super easy: combine character cards with complication cards and follow your imagination into a story! Includes a booklet with prompts, suggestions, and non-competitive storytelling games.
Kickstart Your Creativity with Storytelling Cards – Warm up your brain, tap your imagination, spark your creative thinking. Help writer’s block. Explore the story prompts by yourself or in a group.
Image captured from cratejoy.com where Used Books Monthly is a Preferred Seller.
Why this gift for preachers?
Because reading any genre grows our writing, communication, and preaching skills—without even working at it!
Plus, Used Books Monthly only sends out used books! It’s a win-win for the environment and sharing the books we love!
You specify the genre you wish to receive, from science-fiction to history to memoir, so you’ll want to let your gift-giver know which you want to start with. You can change your preference at any time.
From the website:
“Get a fun book surprise in the mail every month! We believe books should continue to be circulated and that an author's work should endure. We select the best quality used books randomly from our inventory based on your selected genres. Every shipment is unique and may contain your next favorite book!”
Image captured from the website
Why this gift for preachers?
Because it’s a source of relaxation and creativity that never ends!
It’s a splurge for a jigsaw puzzle–except that this is one that’s never completed.
A perfect gift to relax your mind so you can hear the Spirit’s whisperings—especially when you’re puzzling over your next sermon!
From the website:
“Most of the time, when you work on a jigsaw puzzle, there’s a definite ending. With all of the edges matched, you place that final piece and get the sweet satisfaction of knowing you’re finally done. Design studio Nervous System has strayed from convention with their mind-bending Infinity Puzzle. Adorned with a photograph of the Milky Way, it’s as free-flowing as the universe it’s inspired by. There is no beginning and no end, and the continuously-tiling jigsaw can be assembled in thousands of different ways. And just when you thought you had one side to worry about, Nervous System has designed it so that you can use either side of the jigsaw pieces in your construction. Are you up for the challenge?
Details
The Infinity Puzzle contains 133 pieces made out of birch plywood.
Three of the 133 pieces are an astronaut, space shuttle and satellite.
The puzzle dimensions vary, but it is 8" x 8" at its smallest configuration.”
#4. Mindful Yoga Pillow from Ten Thousand Villages
$69.99
Image captured from the website
Why this gift for preachers?
Because yoga prayer pillows have been used for centuries to promote the best posture for prayer.
With our bottoms on the pillow and straddled between the knees, a straight spine is automatic, engendering an alert but relaxed body that’s most conducive to being fully present with God.
Plus, my husband and I have supported Ten Thousand Villages for many years for promoting “Maker to Market” fair trade practices.
As they explain on their website:
“As a pioneer of fair trade, we do business differently, putting people and planet first. That means you can trust that every purchase and donation you make directly impacts the life and community of its maker in a developing country. Together we break the cycle of generational poverty and ignite social change. #LiveLifeFair.
About the pillow:
Breathe deep, sit tall, clear your mind. This handcrafted patchwork pillow is perfect for mindful meditation or for floor seating with engaging conversation.
Patchwork fabric
Slight variations enhance authenticity.
15Dx8H inches
Handcrafted in Vietnam”
Even if the pillow doesn’t grab your interest, I encourage you to visit the website for other wonderful items to add to your gift list—and find others for those on your list!
Why this gift for preachers?
Because sometimes you just have to get away to think, pray, and replenish your spiritual well with some solitude.
I’m a big fan of these by-owner getaways with either Vacation Rental by Owner (VRBO), or AirBnB.
I use them when I need to get into a different environment where I won’t be interrupted and can focus on a big work project or fill my cup again when God and I hang out together.
Whether you want a place within a short drive or across the country for a few days or longer, sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is get away from it all.
Image captured from the website
Why this gift for preachers?
There’s no better gift for you or your ministry than getting a good night’s sleep!
As someone who has trouble turning my mind off to fall asleep, I can’t recommend this app enough.
I’ve subscribed for years and am constantly grateful for the app’s ability to slow my racing thoughts down to a crawl and finally into slumber.
With classic stories, travelogues, or music to help you unwind, Calm has you covered whatever your preferences..
In addition, Calm offers daytime assists, too, with meditation programs, self-help programs, and even music to read by.
The Center for Human Technology calls it the “world’s happiest app” (according to Calm website) which may be hyperbole—but not by much.
Why this gift for preachers?
Because you can’t fall asleep to the Calm app without having something comfortable to sleep on—literally!
The Musicozy headband does triple-duty: it’s a bluetooth personal speaker, an eye shield for sleep, and a headband for workouts.
I’ve used these headbands for a few years and can attest to their comfort even for side-sleeping.
Washable (with the hardware removed) and available in a variety of colors (with another model designed only as an eye shade if you prefer), your daytime self will thank your nighttime self for better sleep!
Why this gift for preachers?
Because when we cultivate awe for God’s splendor and imagination it keeps us excited to share who God is!
Especially when it’s hard to get away into nature, spending just a few minutes with one of these cards helps us breathe in God’s glory.
It’s a deck of 42 cards, each containing one beautiful photo on the card (picture above, right). You can sit with the picture to let your mind and spirit marvel and rest.
Optionally, there’s an accompanying book of meditations and questions (second picture above, right) for journaling or reflection.
I’ve been enjoying my deck for a few months now, and bought several to give as gifts.
“Bring the fierce beauty of the wild into your everyday soul care practice with this deck of 42 photography cards and companion book. These cards may serve as points of conversation in spiritual direction; as journaling prompts; or simply as a way to bring an element of the natural world into your day-to-day life.”
#9. Subscription to Creative Nonfiction Magazine
Digital only: $39.00/year
Digital and print: $59.00/year
Why this gift for preachers?
Any reading is good for our craft. Learning from communicators at the top of their game is even better.
As Creative Nonfiction says on their website, Creative Nonfiction is “True stories, well told.”
That’s exactly what we try to do as preachers.
Each issue of this magazine not only informs the reader about subjects you may not have considered, which opens you to new viewpoints and enlarges empathy, but also offers excellent articles on the craft.
For example, the Fall issue has an article about finding one’s voice—a not infrequent question I receive from preachers.
Even though the article is geared to writers, it’s equally applicable to preachers, and I will reference it in the future.
Easy to digest, practical, and, of course, beautifully written, each issue is a quick master class sure to improve every preacher’s skills.
Why this gift for preachers?
Because if you easily lose track of time (like I do) when caught up in sermon prep or other projects, this visual timer can help us steward our time more wisely.
Studies in creativity often reference the benefits of limiting our choices.
When we constrain our time to a set number of minutes, for example, we’re far more likely to get focused to get the job done.
Those of us who approach the world visually are likely to benefit more from a timer like this that is showing us just how much time is left for the job.
Explore these choices for the office, or plenty more in additional colors designed for kids, including the kid in you!
#11. Magnetic Privacy Screen for Laptops
Example: SightPro Magnetic Privacy Screen for MacBook Pro
$34.99
Why this gift for preachers?
Because you may focus better when you’re not worried about someone looking over your shoulder.
Recently when I flew on a full airplane I had to carefully select the work I wanted to accomplish during my flight.
Why?
I felt uncomfortable focusing on certain pieces of work which might draw the curious eyes of my seat mates.
Whether you are typing in a crowded coffee shop, or are elbow-to-elbow at a conference table or on your next flight, feeling free to focus on the words you want to get down will help you get the real work done.
Various models of privacy screens are available for Macs and PC’s.
I haven’t tried this myself, but it’s definitely on my list!
#12. Collection of Advent Quotes: A Free gift of Preaching Inspiration to share today
Free from Backstory preaching
https://www.dropbox.com/s/so9phmo2ul20im9/Advent%20Quotes%202022.pdf?dl=0
Why this gift for preachers?
If you know a preacher, you know they’re heading into the busy church season of Advent and Christmas.
In fact, they’re probably already thinking about their Advent and Christmas sermons.
Each year, we put together a collection of Advent quotes and inspiration to nourish the preacher’s soul and spark their sermon imaginations.
Share this collection with a preacher you appreciate today to make their holiday season a little easier and more joyful.
How to share this Free Gift:
Copy this URL: https://www.dropbox.com/s/so9phmo2ul20im9/Advent%20Quotes%202022.pdf?dl=0 (OR click the link and copy the URL from the browser window)
Text or email the link to a preacher with a word of encouragement or appreciation
At Backstory Preaching, we want to make sermon prep a preacher’s favorite time of the week!
With as much time, energy, and devotion that preaching requires, we may as well enjoy the process, grow closer to God so we always remember why we preach, and keep growing in our skills!
May this list provide ideas to make sermon prep ever more enjoyable and effective.