A few clicks online can solve that problem — but there’s a better way. 

Supporting the plethora of Catholic artisans in and around the Diocese of Lansing and featured at local markets is a better way to spend your money, according to the shop owners and Caroline Biskner, director for family life at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Ann Arbor. 

Not only does buying from small businesses often support families, it supports the spread of the Catholic faith, she says.

“The [artists] do it because they love their faith and they want to further their faith and we want to support that as much as we can,” she says. 

In September, St. Thomas hosted Nazareth Market, an event featuring Catholic artisans from nearby communities. Many of the same artisans will also take part in St. Thomas’ annual Christkindlmarkt Dec. 15th, which brings together the community and Catholic artisans just in time for Christmas shopping, Biskner says. 

“It’s supporting members of our Catholic community and it’s a big reason why we’re trying to do this,” Biskner says, admitting that she shops online like most people, but is willing to pay a little more for handmade, one-of-a-kind goods from a local creator. 

“I know I’m supporting the Catholic faith and somebody who obviously was praying, heard God, and discerned it was something the Lord wanted them to do,” she says. “They made that decision, so we’re supporting that decision and prayer process.” 

Here are a few shops to consider supporting this Christmas.

Saint Sprouts

saintsprouts.com

One artisan featured at the fall Nazareth Market is Marie Mattos, owner of Saint Sprouts. She creates saint stickers and magnets designed for kids and says she began creating saint stickers as a way to use her graphic design skills for the faith. 

“I had just had a baby a year earlier and I was really trying to do something for God,” she says. “I really loved illustrating and I thought, ‘Let’s just try it and see how it goes.’ That’s how Saint Sprouts came to be.” 

Mattos’ stickers feature cheerful saints bearing their name and items traditionally associated with them. For example, St. Lucy wears an evergreen and candle crown and carries a tray of rolls. 

Buying from small businesses supports Catholic families, she says.

“It supports my family directly and you know you’re supporting someone within the Catholic faith,” she says, adding that she loves selling her products at markets. 

“You see the community and you’re building community and you’re networking,” she says.

Anna Janae Artistry

annajanaeartistry.com

Featuring beautiful art prints and original paintings of images including the Nativity, the Good Shepherd, and the baptism of Jesus. 

The Smallest Sunbeam

thesmallestsunbeam.etsy.com

Based in Ypsilanti, the Smallest Sunbeam, owned by Adelaide von Buelow, features unique gifts like birth affirmation cards to use during childbirth, as well as saint-based sticker collections and hand-lettered prints. 

AllieBeeCreates

alliebeecreates.etsy.com

Owned by Allison Barrick, this shop features a variety of items, including vinyl stickers, earrings, and Marian prints. 

Laetificat Crafts

laetificatcrafts.etsy.com

Anne Langbeen has been creating leather goods since her time in a convent, where she learned to work with leather and create things with it. She’s no longer in the convent, but uses the skills she learned to make covers for Magnificat magazine, missals, Bibles, and more. 

“I really love working with leather,” she says. “I love being able to make a beautiful leather cover for a prayer book that makes it feel like it inspires people to pray.”

The shop’s name, she says, comes from a line in the Latin Mass that describes going to God who makes us joyful. 

“Hopefully that brings joy to those who use them,” she says of her products. “Hopefully it helps inspire them in their prayer.”

Langbeen agrees that markets featuring small businesses and Catholic artisans are important for promoting artists and keeping them afloat.

“If we’re all shopping on Amazon, we’re closing out these small businesses,” she says. “We’re not supporting each other, and it’s important to support each other and the Catholic community, who rely on the support of other people.”

Christkindlmarkt

Many more vendors will be featured at St. Thomas’ Christkindlmarkt on Dec. 15th. The event will include German food, collectible event mugs, and carol singing. 

“It’d be so amazing if [the artists] can give other families the richness of why we celebrate,” Biskner says, noting that customers buying from Catholic artists are affirming the artists’ vocation.

“We’re also saying ‘yes’ by inviting them to come over and by spending a little extra because they also said ‘yes,’” she says. 

The market will run from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15th, outside St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 530 Elizabeth St. in Ann Arbor.