7 Gift Ideas for First-Time Families to Your Church

You might be worried that the cost of gifts could add up, but don’t worry – we have plenty of church gift ideas that won’t break the bank! Read on to learn more about our top 7 church visitor gift ideas.

Grant Glas
November 17, 2021
Kids Ministry Leadership

Providing gifts for the new members of your church is a great way to make them feel welcomed and encourage them to return. You might be worried that the cost of gifts could add up, but don’t worry – we have plenty of church gift ideas that won’t break the bank! Read on to learn more about our top 7 church visitor gift ideas:


Food Items


Probably the most popular gift for churchgoers is food. After all, who doesn’t love a tasty snack? Plus, you can easily recruit members of the congregation to take turns baking, making it inexpensive and a fun community activity. This doesn’t have to be limited to newcomers either – everyone can enjoy these goodies.


From brownies and cookies to jellies and jams, offering a little sample of deliciousness to your first-time visitors will certainly leave a sweet taste in their mouths. Take this to the next level and host a monthly pot-luck dinner, so everyone can play a part in preparing the food.


Handwritten Note


Personal and thoughtful, a handwritten note is one of the best inexpensive gifts for church visitors. All it costs is a piece of paper or a card and a little bit of time, and the message will be strong. You can choose themed cards relevant to the time of year or create your own personalized design for your church!


A simple "thank you for coming, we hope to see you next time," and a small prayer or message of good wishes will go a long way with new visitors. Reaffirm that they are welcome, wanted, and accepted, and they could quickly become regular members of your congregation.


A Branded Pen


One of the most effective church promotional gifts is a branded pen that states the name of your church with a small logo. Pens are a popular promotional tool because they are functional – something that everybody needs and will likely use frequently.


They are easy to create on a mass scale too, as you can bulk buy many pens with your church name and logo in one go. Go the extra mile and make sure they are high-quality pens so that people will use them time and time again. Ask a volunteer to stand by the door and hand them out to newcomers, or even have them in a help-yourself style pot. 


Mugs


A similar style gift to the pen is the mug. You can never have enough mugs, and people tend to use them daily. While they are a bit more expensive than the simple pen, they will last a whole lot longer, making them one of the best gifts that grow the church through publicity.


You could even choose a tumbler, water bottle, or travel cup to be more relevant to the needs of your community. They are perfect for combining gift ideas, as you can fill the drinking vessel with additional gifts. From mini chocolates and sweets, to gift cards and coffee granules, the sky’s the limit when doubling up on gifts for special occasions!


Movie Night


One of the best gifts for church members is a free movie night. Simply purchase various rental codes, print them on a branded card that says “movie night” or something similar, and offer some sweet, salty, and toffee popcorn kernels to go alongside it. 


This option is incredibly simple and still allows the individual or family to choose what they would like. Giving the excuse to sit back and relax is a gift that will be greatly appreciated, as these days our lives are busier than ever. Plus, it provides talking points for your community members at the next congregation!


Digital Products


Most churches have accumulated a selection of digital resources throughout the years. Share your songs, stories, recorded shows, and images. You can use these digital resources as church gifts too! Nowadays sharing digital resources is easier than ever before, so with a simple link or QR code, you can effortlessly send your resources far and wide.


Let the personality of your church shine through when you use digital products as your gift for newbies. The songs that you choose to include and the videos that you create will give your visitors an idea of what kind of church you are, and will encourage them to come back for more.


Gifts for the Kids


While pens and mugs are a wonderful, long-lasting gift that can double as a promotional feature, choosing a gift that will appeal to the kids will win over their hearts and those of their parents too! Decide which message you’d like to get across to your new members through the gifts that you select.


Give them a sweet little name-tag, or a selection of stickers and badges, and the children will be excited to return for kids ministry. Plus, these gifts can always be branded too, spreading the messaging of your church through thoughtful gifts for the kids that attend. 


Whichever route you decide to go down, having a gift to give the new attendees of your church will make them feel welcomed and appreciated, so they will be more likely to come back for more. Within your gift packages, why not include something that gives away some details about your children’s ministry curriculum too? Parents will be drawn in, kids will be excited, and before you know it, you'll have new, committed members of your congregation! 


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