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You’ve heard why it’s a good idea to shop local. It’s also worth your while to shop Catholic.

If you’re still struggling to find a suitable gift as the days until Christmas winds down, consider a nearby Catholic gift shop or even your parish gift shop. They’re filled with treasures.

Signs of Faith makes a great gift.

Check out what I got for $2 at St. Jerome’s gift shop (image at right). It made for some great reading during a recent road trip home from Los Angeles. Scores of magnets were on sale at the gift shop for $1 when I shopped before Thanksgiving.

Shopping Catholic will not only guarantee you’ll find a unique gift, but you’ll support the local Catholic community, dodge crowded malls and other stores and help nourish the faith of your recipient. Plus, each time I’ve “shopped Catholic,” I’ve also gotten personal service in my endeavors.

Here are some places to try:

• The Marian Shop at St. Francis Xavier Parish
• The King’s House in Scottsdale. Besides the normal Catholic gift shop stuff, the Zieglers-owned store features artwork and note cards by Maria Zielinska.
• Rosaries and rosary bracelets — granted they’re widely available, but buying them from the Poor Clare sisters gets you (or someone you love) a rosary and helps them build a new monastery.
• HireACatholic lists dozens of local Catholic-owned businesses from beauty, salon and spa to children’s activities and education to fitness and exercise to retail, restaurants and animal services.

Or, by category:

• Teen stuff — Don’t forget Lifeteen’s store. It’s filled with CDs, spiritual reading, clothing, DVDs and random stuff.
• Music lovers — The store at SpiritandSong.com features plenty of music — including a bonus donation for its “Christmas Child” CD, clothing and local artists like Ike Ndolo and Matt Maher.
• Calendar — Who doesn’t need a calendar? Or, if iPhones and other hi-tech gadgets have diminished the need for a paper calendar, consider buying one anyway and framing your favorite image or two as gifts. The Office of Black Catholic Ministry is selling them for a “free will” donation. Calendars are produced by the Josephite Catholic Order based in Washington, D.C. Proceeds support the local OBCM’s scholarship fund.

Check your parish bulletin for more Catholic-owned businesses.