# Gifts for Ministers of the Church **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 28, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005 "2005-11-28T03:48:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/1 "2005-11-28T03:48:23Z")
So, what is appropriate? I’m guessing for the Dean and the Rector, a gift in their name to the church is the norm. Still, how about the other people there? I’m thinking cards for the bookstore clerk, greeter, and other “hello” people. But, what about the so called minor clergy? The ones who have taught the classes, answered the phones, led the prayer vigils? I’d like to do something nice to recognize them. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/2 "2005-11-28T04:26:51Z")
Find out what they like and give accordingly. My local parish priest is a bit of a cricket fan. Last year several members of the choir chipped in and gave him tickets to a couple of cricket matches. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/3 "2005-11-28T04:32:25Z")
Get them a bible 😉 ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/4 "2005-11-28T04:52:10Z")
For those people you don’t really know, don’t have a lot of connections to, I wouldn’t think a gift was necessary. Perhaps some baked goods - it’s personal but not extravagant. StG ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/5 "2005-11-28T20:22:47Z")
Yes, I was going to say a gift basket of munchies that can be left in the rectory for everyone to help themselves from. Or make a donation to the church or a charity and send them notes about it in their cards. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/6 "2005-11-29T16:16:00Z")
My brother is a minister and I’d say think about a gift for the person seperate from his job. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/7 "2005-11-29T18:10:20Z")
I agree with **Mr. Goob**. There’s a book called _All I Need to Know about Ministry I Learned from Fly Fishing_ by Myrlene L J Hamilton that made a pretty good gift for a minister I know that likes to fish. ---
**Author:** ![Okaybear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc348/32.png) [@Okaybear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okaybear)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/8 "2005-11-29T19:13:09Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > I agree with **Mr. Goob**. There’s a book called _All I Need to Know about Ministry I Learned from Fly Fishing_ by Myrlene L J Hamilton that made a pretty good gift for a minister I know that likes to fish. I agree with the book idea, myself. There’s a great book out there called [RealLivePreacher.com](http://RealLivePreacher.com) (check out the website of the same name) that has some really amazing essays about the perks and pitfalls of the ministry and life in general. While the majority of those essays can be found directly on the site, having the book in hand is nice. I gave my copy to my preacher back home around Christmas-time last year - it’s easy reading that packs a huge emotional punch. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/9 "2005-11-29T20:14:38Z")
Bottles of wine. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2005, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-ministers-of-the-church/333005/10 "2005-11-30T04:03:59Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Bottles of wine. and a loaf of bread…Think of the money they’d save on Communion!