Ready, set… Black Friday
A curated lineup of books, crunchy favorites, and quirky guides to carry you from turkey to tree-lighting.
Happy Thanksgiving week!
Not to jump ahead of a day that encourages us all to be grateful to God – in fact, we’ll have a special Thanksgiving day post! – but we all know what comes right after the pumpkin pie.
BLACK FRIDAY. The day to get all the good deals on Christmas gifts, but it actually starts as early as about November 2 and may well extend through December 24.
And then they added SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY to encourage less Walmart and more local vendors, which is a win.
And then we take a break on Sunday to finish leftovers and put up the tree, perhaps, before we wheel into CYBER MONDAY, which is where we order gifts online. But… who are they kidding? As if all the gifts aren’t ordered online 365 days a year.
And finally, an afterthought, GIVING TUESDAY, where you atone for your sin of overspending by spending more, except you get nothing back except a warm feeling of superiority. Just kidding! Donating to good causes is one of the highest uses of your cash (or card).
But I digress. The matter at hand is Black Friday, and it’s for sure coming up fast, with lots of things on sale. I’ve gathered some of my favorite BOOK gift ideas for all the members of your family – and you may well find something you’d like too!
In addition, I’m including a few favorite crunchy/holistic gift ideas… and in case none of that scratches your Santa itch, I’ll end with a brief compendium of slightly offbeat holiday gift guides.
Great reads for Christians
I keep a want-to-read list with a wide variety of Christian books. For this list, I’ll highlight a book (sometimes a few) in each of my (many) Christian book categories. Some I’ve already read – some I’m getting ready to dig into.
FOUNDATIONAL TEXTS
The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
Topping many lists of essential Christian classics. John MacArthur called it one of the most important books in 50 years. A great first book for a newbie Christian.
The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur
I personally think this is the best first book for a new believer, or an old believer. Saturated with Scripture, the book will leave you completely confident of how to be saved, and when you are saved. My favorite book by a modern author.
Three books that come highly recommended and in this version they’re all in one volume.
DEVOTIONAL
Our Great Redeemer: 365 Days with J.C. Ryle
Devotionals make lovely gifts, and this one by 19th century evangelical giant J.C. Ryle will allow the reader to spend a whole year meditating on the glory of Christ.
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
You can’t go wrong with the best-selling devotional book of all time. This edition is suitable for gifting.
BIOGRAPHY
John MacArthur: Servant of the Word and Flock by Iain Murray
You may be sensing a theme here. Yes, I was a Johnny Mac fangirl. Since we lost him this past year, I’m looking forward to reading this “living” biography completed before he went to be with His Lord. I imagine by next year there may be a new bio or two.
Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God by David McCasland
Another theme – this time the (relatively brief) life of the man who wrote the world’s most popular devotional.
HISTORY
Epic: An Around-the-World Journey through Christian History by Tim Challies
The author introduces us to 33 carefully selected objects from all over the globe to tell the history of Christianity in a unique and creative way. It’s a beautiful full color book, and to extend the experience, there’s a 10-episode documentary which takes you on location and provides an immersive experience for understanding the history of Christianity. The film is available for purchase on Amazon Prime.
APOLOGETICS
Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies by Hillary Ferrer
“Parents are the most important apologists our kids will ever know. Mama Bear Apologetics will help you navigate your kids’ questions and prepare them to become committed Christ followers.” —J. Warner Wallace
CHRISTIAN LIVING AND CULTURE
Afraid of all the Things: Cancer, Tornadoes, Adoption, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For by Scarlet Hiltibidal
What does the gospel say about your fears?
God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies by Costi Hinn
Nephew of the notorious televangelist Benny Hinn, Costi offers this chilling account of how prosperity preachers exploit the poor and needy and what it was like to grow up in one of the world’s most powerful prosperity dynasties. As Costi began to question the lifestyle he was living and look for an answer to the injustice he saw, he found himself on a journey that eventually led him to abandon the family faith in favor of the overwhelming truth about the real Jesus Christ.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER / LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition by Christine Pohl
This is the 25th anniversary edition of a classic on the answer to the question, why has God given you a home?
Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow by Jamie Erickson
I have this one and am ready to read it because of this description: The Danish practice of “hygge” (pronounced HYOO-guh) is related to rest, beauty, contentment, and well-being. Warm and inviting, hygge is the opposite of hustle. Plus hygge is home. When you sit in a comfy chair by the fire, that’s hygge. When you arrange a fresh bouquet of wildflowers on a bedside table, that’s hygge too. Candles, soft furnishings, natural light, fresh-baked pastries, intimate gatherings with friends — these are all hygge, but it can be so much more. Author Erickson unites hygge with the deep, theological truths of the gospel in this guide to creating a life-giving home.
ORGANIZATION / TIME MANAGEMENT
The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World by Hannah Brencher
How much time do you spend looking at a screen? Mindlessly scrolling? Is it enriching your life? Hannah Brencher has a suggestion to help you unplug and rediscover the richness of life on the other side.
The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi
Not a Christian book, but an ingenious way to take some pressure off yourself. She also has a Lazy Genius Kitchen book to help you get those all-important meal-related rhythms lined up.
HEALTH
Follow the Science: How Big Pharma Misleads, Obscures, and Prevails by Sharyl Atkisson
More and more light’s being shed on the abuses of Pharma and the medical establishment, but for the person new to the idea of actually questioning what doctors are telling us, this book is a good foundation (not a Christian book, however). Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author Sharyl Attkisson exposes the corruption that has ruled the pharmaceutical industry for decades, and how that often discolors what your doctor tells you.
HOME EDUCATION (science/art for every family)
Sky Tree: Seeing Science through Art by Thomas Locker
Not just for homeschoolers, but for all families, because all parents are their children’s first and best educators. In this stunning book illustrated by Thomas Locker, exquisite paintings are paired with questions about nature, making science come alive through art. A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year award winner and a must-have for your home library.
The Art of God: The Heavens & the Earth by Ric Ergenbright
Another must-have for every family, and the 2000 Gold Medallion Award winner, Ergenbright’s stunningly beautiful nature photography is paired with Scripture and devotional thoughts. This gorgeous gift book captures God’s expression of his character in the created world.
FICTION (an introduction to just one favorite author)
The Dean’s Watch by Elizabeth Goudge
I was introduced to Elizabeth Goudge by a boss I had who I didn’t yet know was a Christian. She gave me this volume the only Christmas we worked together, and it is precious to me.
Goudge was an award-winning and prolific 20th century author, notably Christian in her outlook and themes. I think she sums up her writing herself, best:
As this world becomes increasingly ugly, callous and materialistic it needs to be reminded that the old fairy stories are rooted in truth, that imagination is of value, that happy endings do, in fact, occur, and that the blue spring mist that makes an ugly street look beautiful is just as real a thing as the street itself.
Okay. That’s plenty for books. Let’s move on…
A few crunchy/holistic gift ideas
You do know how artificial light – particularly blue light – is now a recognized health threat and carcinogen? Wait, you’ve not heard this? Well, get up to date HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE… then consider the goodies below — the first a big ticket item, the second practically a stocking stuffer:
Daylight computer – link includes an additional built-in holiday discount
Blue-light blocking reading clip light – great light to read to kids at night instead of your super bright phone screen, or too-bright LEDs, both of which interfere with melatonin production
Cleaner AND more organized in the kitchen? Sign me up. Souper Cubes allow you to prep food ahead of time and freeze it in individual or meal size silicone – just pop your preferred size frozen meal out of the cube and heat.
Additional helpful (and somewhat offbeat) holiday gift guides
Perhaps you still haven’t found what you’re looking for. (Did I just ear-worm you? Well, don’t worry, soon enough it will be Jingle Bells in every possible iteration, everywhere you go.)
Behold: A few somewhat off-the-beaten-track holiday gift guides:
The School of Traditional Skills Holiday Gift Guide
Page through it HERE.
Mamavation’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
Leah Segedie, the “clean product” guru of Mamavation, offers a comprehensive gift guide.
Downshiftology 2025 Holiday Gift Guide
Lisa from Downshiftology has a monster gift guide broken down by the likes and interests of your gift recipients.
Lamberts Lately stocking stuffer gift guides
This home-based business focusing on all things home breaks down its lists for:
Ho ho ho! All I want for Christmas is… drop your answer in the comments. In the meantime, enjoy a blessed and gratitude-rich Thanksgiving!