Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

My DD is in pre-K at a Catholic school. Her teacher is a Sister (a nun). We love her to death, she is fabulous! I am class mom, along with another parent. We have collected money for a Christmas gift, and now we don't know what to do!

Is it true that a sister/nun can't accept cash?? (vows of poverty) Can they get a gift card? Any ideas on a gift? I heard from the class mom from last years class that they bought her a Vera Bradley travel bag since she travels a lot.

We have no idea and need to get the ball rolling!

TIA

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

When my mom was in Catholic grammer school one of her nuns used to do screwdriver shots in class. 30+ years later my grandmother would still go off about it. Probably not what you were looking for.

I'll ask my cousin when I talk to her this week, she teaches at a catholic school but isn't a nun.

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

I would think a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks gift card would be okay because it's for coffee. Or if she likes to travel there are really nice travel alarm clocks.

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

I worked for the Sisters of Saint Joseph, and they DEFINITELY partied, LOL. But they received gift cards as presents all the time, even cash as far as I know. I once saw one of them regift 3 coach bags she had been given!!! And they REALLY REALLY liked a nice bottle of booze... that was the all time favorite gift.

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

i think it depends upon the order they are with. I think if they are part of the parish, they can receive gifts- but if they are part of certain orders, they cannot.

For example, my parish priest can hold material goods, but the visiting priests who are redemptorists cannot.

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

Thanks everyone! I never thought to get a nun a bottle of booze! People were VERY generous with giving money, so we have something to get a nice gift.

I know she does not live at our parish or near the school, but she does live (in a convent I assume) at another parish/school about 20 minutes away. She is part of the IHM nuns.

Keep the idea coming!

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

my sister is a nun...sisters of st joseph.

they def take gifts.
they give up their paychecks.

restaurant gcs
movie tickets

they have housing and food paid for.
they are given about 1300 for the year as "their" money.
they are given maxi pads, but not tampons.
in charge of their own shampoo, conditioner, make up...clothes

give a nun a gc to kohls and i am sure she will smile!
bras are expensive...so one of my sisters always gets our nun a gc to get bras.

but going out to eat is a real treat.
so is a cup of coffee...

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

Thank you so much Janice! Very helpful! Some great ideas to work with, I really appreciate it!

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

I have some very close friends who are nuns. I think gift cards are great gifts, especially for restaurants, since their budget doesn't allow them to eat out as much as most people.

My one friend often gets gifts from her family that are clothes or jewelry, so I agree with Janice, that a gc to Kohl's is a great idea.

My mom always bought the Cathlolic school teachers a bottle of wine for Christmas. She figured if they didn't drink themselves, they could use it as a gift for someone else, or share it with the community.

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

I never knew so much about Nuns as I do from reading this thread!

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

Re: Gift for a religious teacher (sister/nun)?

Posted by chmlengr

Thank you so much Janice! Very helpful! Some great ideas to work with, I really appreciate it!