Gifts for your priest?

[skoi]

This is a really lame inquirer/newbie question, sorry. But is it traditional in general to give your priest a gift at Christmas? The last church we were in was a huge megachurch, and the pastor didn't even know we existed. Our new church is much smaller, and we go to classes once a week, so Father at least knows who we are.

Thanks.

[Sacrum Silentium]

That's not lame at all! I can't say whether or not it's traditional, but I'm sure there's nothing wrong with it. I'd like to get Father Mark something this year.

[Paisley]

I was thinking of getting something for the church, rather than our priest.. actually, we have two priests.

[InnerPhyre]

I'm glad someone asked this question. I meant to post it myself. I have no idea what to get Fr. for Christmas.

[Sacrum Silentium]

I let Father borrow Mountain of Silence and Gifts of the Desert and he fell in love with them. I'm thinking about buying him his own copy of MoS.

[Khaleas]

I think it really depends on how close you are to the priest. Father got some Christmas presents last year, from money, to food, to other things. I gave them an angel made out of wood from Finland and a bottle of dessert wine from New Valaam Monastery. It was also Father & Matushka's 10 year anniversary this past year and I had taken a bunch of roe (yes, fish eggs) with me from my last trip to Finland so I gave them two jars of that to have with blinis. I haven't really thought about this year yet...
I also get something small for Father's mom (we're close), mine and hubs sponsors (god parents). This year I got our sponsors tickets for the Bishop's luncheon, 10 bucks each.

[Tsarina]

I myself have no idea what i'm going to get my Father for Christmas, but i know i'm getting him somthing. Help!~ lols

[skoi]

Thanks. We weren't sure if it was a traditional thing to do. This being in a church where there's less than a 1000 people and the priest actually knows you by name is a new experience for us!

Maybe we'll bring him back something from Kazakhstan instead. Though I don't know what.

[Sacrum Silentium]

I think it's a blessing to have a smaller parish. We have about 50 to 60 any given Sunday, so it's very down to earth and family like.

Best of luck finding a gift!

[Tsarina]

I think it's a blessing to have a smaller parish. We have about 50 to 60 any given Sunday, so it's very down to earth and family like.

Best of luck finding a gift!

A smaller parish is definatly family like. Our new mission that didn't start to long ago has about 20-25 people. One big family. :D

[Sacrum Silentium]

Absolutely. It's fun to learn everybody's personality and have everyone gradually warm up to you in their own way, and vice versa. It's like any family, you're closer to some than others, but the important thing is I'm not made to feel like a black sheep. :D

We have an Akathist and Bible study tonight, so I hope to ask the lady who I hope will be my godparent, well, if she will do just that. :)

[rusmeister]

One thing that is certainly appropriate is for the parish to organize a serious gift (like major home appliance or whatever) and have everybody kick in. We just got ours a wet (washing) vacuum cleaner.