Making visitors to your parish feel welcome when they arrive at your parish is a top priority. Preferred parking, enthusiastic greeters and a comfortable environment all play an important part in the essential first impression. But perhaps nothing has become a standard welcome for parishes like providing a generous welcome gift to first-time guests. Here are six affordable visitor gift ideas for your parish.
Visitor Gift #1: A Handwritten Welcome
Gifts don’t always have to be expensive. Including a handwritten card from one of the pastors is a great way to give a first-time visitor a warm welcome.
Visitor Gift #2: Writing Instruments
No one wants a cheap, plastic pen, but a quality pen is always welcome, as is a Bible highlighter and/or an inspirational journal for taking notes during the homily.
Visitor Gift #3: Candy
You can’t go wrong with candy. Hard candies, decadent chocolates and even individually wrapped mints are a pleasant surprise for anyone with a sweet tooth…which is just about everyone.
Visitor Gift #4: Books, CDs, and Bibles
Give the gift of teaching by giving away a book by the pastor, a worship CD, a CD message or even a Bible in the same translation the pastor regularly uses.
Visitor Gift #5: Church Information
Though parish information may not seem that exciting on the surface, most visitors are actively seeking information about what your parish and parishioners. By providing a statement of faith, a flyer introducing the various pastors, an upcoming events calendar and a list of active ministries and meeting times, visitors have everything they need at their fingertips for getting involved right away.
Visitor Gift #6: Drinks, Cups, and T-shirts
Whether it’s a nice water bottle or a coffee mug with the parish’s logo on it, people almost always enjoy a gift that’s practical. Give them a beautifully-designed t-shirt and you might even start seeing a new fashion statement in town.
BONUS Visitor Gift: Don’t Forget the Kids!
As much as adults enjoy receiving a gift from a new parish, nothing can warm a family’s heart like receiving gifts for their children. A backpack with school supplies or even a decorative plastic name tag for the littlest ones’ diaper bags is always a bonus.
Keep Them Coming Back for More
A nice gift alone won’t ensure a visitor returns, but it’s a great way to break the ice, inspire a warm feeling, and allow a visitor to see the heart of your parish.
ParishSOFT is here to help you provide the tools and resources your parish staff and parishioners need, and we welcome you to reach out and learn more about our integrated product suites! Simply call 866-930-4774 x6 or contact our sales team to learn more!
