Mexican Catholic families follow a gift calendar you will not find in a store: the San Judas on October 28, the Virgencita on December 12, the baptism medal, the Mother's Day chain. Here is the full list, date by date, with what is given on each one and to whom.
October
October 28 · San Judas Day (St. Jude Thaddeus)
The saint of difficult causes. You give a San Judas medal, chain or bracelet to someone looking for work, sick or going through a hard time, and it gets blessed at Mass that day. Read how San Judas Day is celebrated and what to give.
November
November 1 and 2 · Día de Muertos
Not a day for giving, a day for remembering. The medal of someone who has passed goes on the ofrenda and is later inherited and worn. If someone close to you lost their mother or father, a Virgin Mary medal with a short note is the right gesture.
November 27 · The Miraculous Medal
Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the oval medal with Mary standing and rays from her hands. It is the most universal Catholic medal: given to someone with no particular devotion, at baptisms and to the sick.
December
December 12 · Our Lady of Guadalupe
The day more medals are given and blessed than any other. Mother to daughter, mother to the son who is leaving, godmother to goddaughter. Read what to give for December 12. Collection: Virgen de Guadalupe.
December 16 to 24 · Posadas and gift exchanges
Gifts for friends and coworkers, with a price cap. A $20 to $30 medal or bracelet fits any exchange. Ideas in Catholic Christmas gifts that mean something.
December 24 · Nochebuena and Christmas
Family gifts, at midnight. A medal for mom, a chain for dad, a cross for the godparents, a rosary for abuela.
January and February
January 6 · Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes)
The children's gift. A first little medal or a baby bracelet with the Virgin or St. Benedict outlasts any toy.
February 2 · Candlemas (Día de la Candelaria)
The Niño Dios is dressed and brought to be blessed. In many families the Niño Dios's godparents give a medal that day.
February 14 · Valentine's Day (Día del Amor y la Amistad)
A medal between partners means "I've got you," not an engagement. Two matching medals, or a bracelet each.
March to June
March 19 · St. Joseph
Patron of fathers and workers. In some families it is Father's Day; a cross or a medal for dad.
Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation season
Easter through June is when most are celebrated. The godmother gives the baptism medal (the Virgin or the child's saint), first communion calls for a cross or a rosary, confirmation for the medal of the saint the young person chose. Read what the St. Benedict medal means and cross vs. crucifix.
May 10 (Mexico) and the second Sunday of May (U.S.) · Mother's Day
The second biggest date of the year after December 12. A Guadalupe for mom, a Virgin Mary with a heart for the mom who already has her Virgencita, a rosary for abuela. Collection: gifts for her.
Third Sunday of June · Father's Day
San Judas for the dad going through something hard, a big cross on a thick chain for the one who wears nothing. Collection: gifts for him.
July to September
July 11 · St. Benedict
The saint of protection against evil. Given to someone moving into a new home, going far away or in a rough patch. Collection: San Benito.
July 16 · Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The day of the scapular, in cloth or metal.
September 29 · St. Michael the Archangel
The protector against the enemy; often given to men, police officers, military and night-shift workers.
No date needed
- Quinceañera: the medal, the ring and the last doll.
- When someone goes far away: a St. Benedict or a Guadalupe, "so you don't go alone."
- A new job, a new home, a new car: St. Benedict, or a rosary for the rear-view mirror.
- A first paycheck: the medal you buy yourself, or the one you buy your mom.
- Protection for a baby: the red bracelet and a little medal.
To make sure it arrives on time
We ship from California within 48 hours; U.S. delivery takes 3 to 7 days, and shipping is free on orders of $49 or more. For fixed dates (October 28, December 12, Christmas Eve) order 10 days ahead. Every idea is in the gifts collection.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important dates to give a religious medal?
October 28 (San Judas Tadeo), December 12 (Our Lady of Guadalupe), Christmas and Three Kings Day, Mother's Day (May 10 in Mexico, second Sunday of May in the U.S.), and the sacraments: baptism, first communion, confirmation and quinceañera.
Which medal do you give on which date?
San Judas on October 28; Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12 and Mother's Day; St. Benedict when someone moves into a new home or goes far away; the Miraculous Medal on November 27; a cross or the child's saint for baptisms and first communions.
How far ahead should I order for a fixed date?
We ship from California within 48 hours and U.S. delivery takes 3 to 7 days. For fixed dates like October 28 or December 12, order 10 days ahead.