Around three in four Americans identify as religious, with around half saying their faith is very important to them. Chances are, you have at least one loved one who also holds strong religious beliefs.
And when you’re invited to a religious celebration of theirs or want to buy them a gift, it makes sense to buy them a religious gift. Even if you do not follow their faith, you want to show your love and support.
But if you know very little about their faith, it can be difficult to choose the appropriate gift. You could pray that you find the right gift. Or, you could choose something from this guide of great religious gift ideas instead!
Choose a Piece of Religious Jewelry
Almost all major religions have religious jewelry that followers wear as symbols of their faith. You could buy your Christian friend a cross necklace, a Saint Christopher’s pendant if they like to travel, or a St Michael medal for veterans.
You could buy your Jewish friend a Star of David pendant or their name in Hebrew on a bracelet. Gold bangles are a traditional Muslim wedding gift. And if your loved one is Buddhist, the Buddha’s head in a Hamsa hand is a symbol of good luck.
Religious Homeware and Apparel
All religions have a holy book or text. Why not choose a passage and get it printed on a t-shirt, framed poster, or tote bag as gifts for religious people?
Or you could use a funny celebrity quote about each religion too. Here are some ideas for all four of the major religions in the US:
- Christianity – “The higher the hair, the closer to God” (Dolly Parton)
- Judaism – “I like my challah like I like my toothbrush, super soft and all to myself” (Molly Yeh)
- Islam – “I listen to the wind, to the wind of my soul, where I end up, well, I think only God really knows” (Yusuf Islam)
- Buddhism – “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping next to a mosquito” (Dalai Lama)
If you’re buying religious gifts for children, you could buy laptop stickers or baby onesies with religious quotes instead.
Book a Faith-Based Vacation
Need to buy a religious gift for a spouse, parent, or close friend for an important milestone? Go big and book them a faith-based vacation!
If your friend is Catholic, book them a trip to Rome. Other Christians would enjoy visiting the churches in Granada, Spain, or the biblical sites in Israel. Your Jewish loved one would likely also enjoy a vacation to Israel too.
For your Muslim loved one, take them on a trip to Istanbul in Turkey or Marrakech in Morrocco. And if they are Buddhist, then India and Japan both have tons of Buddhist temples and holy places.
Buying a Religious Gift Is a Leap of Faith
When you’re buying a gift, a religious gift or not, you will never be 100% sure if the person you’re giving the gift to will like it. But with these great gift ideas and a bit of thought, they will no doubt appreciate the effort you made.
Want to learn more about other cultures and faiths outside of your own? Browse our lifestyle articles for tons of informative guides!
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