It’s the time of year to share an updated list of Camino-inspired gifts for the holidays.  I find it fascinating that some pilgrims have been so inspired by their experience on the Camino that they have turned their creative ideas and hobbies into films, books, artwork, crafts,  jewelry, and more. I see this as a way pilgrims can share their talents in a way others can enjoy, and possibly, also be inspired by the Camino! Below are a few gift ideas for the pilgrims on your list.

2018 Calendars

The Way – El Camino de Santiago by Knud Hammerschmidt

Watercolor Way of St. James by Ms. Tyler E. Burgess

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Camino Patches

Going My Way? by Heather M. Gailey

The Camino Provides 2018 Patch by Laurie Ferris

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New Camino Film

I’ll Push You: A Camino Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends and One Wheelchair

I’ll Push You is an unapologetic exploration of friendship, faith, and love. Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck share two incredible journeys, one being their epic 500-mile wheelchair trek across the Camino de Santiago, the other, the story that is their lifelong friendship.
I saw this film during the nationwide launch screening on November 2.  Its a tearjerker!

Order film and learn more at: https://www.illpushyou.com/

Buy the book on Amazon.

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New Camino Books

Walking Back Home: Finding Clarity on the Camino by Margaret Caffyn

Slow Camino: My Adventure on the Camino de Santiago by Terence Callery

Walking Alone: A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Inner Journey by Mony Dojeiji

A Soldier to Santiago: Finding Peace on the Warrior Path by Brad Genereux

The Camino Way: Lessons in Leadership from a Walk Across Spain by Victor Prince

Pilgrim Strong: Rewriting my story on the Way of St. James by Steve Watkins
To purchase a signed copy, email steve@pilgrimstrong.com

Camino guidebooks make good gifts too, but with so many different routes, you might prefer to shop around, or wait for the latest edition to be published.  With that said, Village to Village Press already has 2018 guides for the two most popular Camino routes, Camino Francés and Camino Portugués. These are excellent quality books with clear maps, photos, and route details.

Kudos to Village to Village Press for supporting trail development projects worldwide.

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Camino-Themed Jewelry

Dreamy Dell Designs by Danielle Keesee

Spirit of the Camino by Gayle Thomas

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Crafty Camigas with Customized Gifts

Camino Christmas Cards and Doodles by Alex

Check out more of her creations at https://www.ellesmagic.com/

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Soulful Road Poéticas de Montaña (Poetry on Slate)

Kim lives along the Camino de Santiago in the tiny mountain village of Foncebadón, Spain and is an artist, writer, and “mentor and threshold guide specializing in pilgrimage as rite of passage.” She organizes intimate group quests, as well as Camino writers’ workshops in Spain and France. Kim now offers a beautiful gift of poetry written on slate from Monte Irago, the mountain pass just after Astorga. She writes, “These are my favorite things to make. If you are interested in a piece as a gift for a friend or for yourself, send me an email at soulfulroad@gmail.com with the shape, poem/quote and the mailing address where you would like it to go. (€35 each/€50 for long/bigger piece plus €10 shipping across the sea or here in Europe). If you let me know in the next days, they can be on the way in time for the holidays. Sending love from my road to yours.”

See www.soulfulroad.com and www.facebook.com/soulful.road for more about Kim.

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ZipPee Pants by Cathy Seitchik Diaz

Camino SuperFan, Cathy Seitchik Diaz, has a brilliant idea that many women hikers will appreciate when they need to pee outdoors. ZipPee Pants are yoga pants with a special twist. Instead of a seam at the crotch, a discreet zipper runs down from below the  waistband.  So when you need to relieve yourself in the woods, just unzip, pee, zip, and walk! If guys can pee, why can’t we?! They have many benefits, which she lists:
NO MORE ……
– Finding a hiding place.
– Baring your bottom.
– Squatting (albeit good for quads!)
– Boyfriend shielding, nor waiting

Facebook users can friend Cathy Seitchik Diaz to follow the progress of getting this product to market. You can also email her at: cathyjo44@gmail.com See Cathy’s demo in a Camino-like scenario in this video.

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Post-Camino Retreat at Little Fox House

How about a gift certificate to the NEW Little Fox House Post-Camino Retreat? Two nights, all included: 50€ Near MUXIA. Learn more at: www.thelittlefoxhouse.com

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Spanish Cooking Class with Chef Yosmar Martinez

If you live in the Bay Area, you might consider this very special Camino cooking class. This would make an excellent gift certificate for date night!

Taste of Spain: with Guest Chef Yosmar Martinez
January 10, 2018 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lafayette, California

Yosmar Martinez, author of Tastes of the Camino book, is returning to the Bay Area to teach a  cooking class at Back to the Table in Lafayette on January 10th.
$95 per person. Space is limited. Click to see details and sign up. As of Dec. 6, there were only six spaces left, so reserve your space before it fills up.

I attended Yosmar’s class  in October 2016 and had a blast! See my article with photos and video at: Tastes of the Camino with Yosmar Martinez. 

Tastes of the Camino is a beautiful gift, available on Amazon or WhiskandSpatula.com.

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I have made a Camino connection with all of these pilgrims featured above, either in person or online. Many have been interviewed on Project Camino so you can hear their voices.  I know they make their gifts from their hearts. By supporting these artists, you help spread the Camino love. You can also find Camino gifts at featured last year.

I, too, was inspired by the Camino when I made my patches. I currently have three limited edition designs available: Original, 2016 and 2018. You can add an organza gift bag or sticker to your order for just $1 each. Buy at etsy.com/shop/caminoprovides.

We pilgrims are not selling our creations to make a profit. Rather, it brings us joy to share a little bit of the Camino with the world. We offer our gifts to support our craft, and any proceeds go right back into our creations. My mission is to celebrate the Camino de Santiago and the pilgrim’s journey, from the Calling to Compostela and beyond. I do this by sharing informative tips on training, gear, and routes; by organizing and promoting Camino-related events in the Bay Area; by interviewing pilgrims and sharing inspiring stories; and by curating content relevant to the Camino. Sales of my designs help to defray the costs of hosting and managing this blog so that I can keep sharing the Camino love!

I wish you all a blessed and peaceful holiday season.