This #1 Amazon Bestselling historical (Catholic) fiction novel:

Sword and Serpent has a lot of women fans, but it’s an uber-manly about historical Roman figures: Constantine, Saint George, Saint Nicholas, Diocletian, et al.

This Kindle version includes a map and other cool stuff. If he likes war, Rome, history, battles, legend, etc. then he’ll love Sword and Serpent. 

[callout]SAMPLE REVIEW: Excellent book ! I read this with my 13 year old son and it provided inspiration for him and great father-son bonding time for both of us ! (He usually HATES reading but says this was the best book he has read). It evokes a variety of emotions. Poignant, thought-provoking, humorous, inspirational, and exciting all in one ! It is a historical FICTION though. The author places the various characters (though true people in the same time period) in contact with each other though there may be no historical evidence of association. But it works for a great story. An added plus is a glossary at the end for those readers with limited knowledge of vocabulary referring to the Roman military or architecture or other Latin terms used in the book.[/callout]

This historical fictional novel is 100% clean but it does have some blood and death it. Not recommended for audiences under the age of 12.

Read a sample or read over 300 5 star reviews about Sword and Serpent by clicking here.

And the sequel to Sword and Serpent came out earlier this month debuting at #1 bestseller in 2 categories. It’s called The Tenth Region of the Night and hailed as better than the original first volume.

5) A Nice Leatherbound Pocket Bible

This is another great gift that makes the list year after year. About 30 years ago, people starting making lame paperback Bibles. If it’s the inspired, inerrant Word of God, at least wrap it in real leather and gild the page edges…

Here is the one you need to get him. It’s Douay Rheims (Catholic, yet old school language), but it’s only Psalms and New Testament published by Baronius. It fits perfectly into the side pocket of a suit or blazer. I carry it in my sports coat, and it holds up to use. It’s absolutely beautiful and has a ribbon to mark your place.

Did I mention that it’s only 27.95?

[callout]UPDATE: If you want the entire not just the Psalms and New Testament, get his: Full Douay Rheims Leather Bible.[/callout]

Oh, and please buy him the black leather version. Men don’t carry white Bibles unless they are 7 and receiving their First Communion. Baronius also makes an impressive real leather Family Bible.

4) A Hip Flask

Here’s the situation: Life in the American South calls for attending Baptist weddings. Baptist wedding receptions are dry. Yes, I know, if Our Lord Jesus Christ were there, he would turn the water into wine, but that policy is not observed at teatotalling wedding receptions…so…he needs this:

An 8 oz hip flask. It’s stainless and the perfect size.

Let’s do the math, a normal serving of scotch is 1.5 oz. So 8 oz / 1.5 oz = 5.33 servings. With this hip flask, you can save the day for your man and four of his friends. How cool is that. Scotch sold separately.

Get this perfectly sized hip flask on amazon.com.

PS: Don’t forget to also get the hip flask funnel or he may get irritated trying to fill the tiny mouth of the flask and spill some! Here’s the funnel – sold separately.

Your Top 2 Manly Christmas Gifts

Like last year, the top Manly Christmas Gifts are Knives. The knife is the most popular manly Christmas gift – year after year. I tried to think of something that would knock it out of first place. I couldn’t do it.

A man without pocket knife…woe is he. You can use a pocket knife to cut string, pull out splinters, slice apples on a picnic, etc. Growing up, my dad always carried a knife in his pocket. And if a thug jumps you, you’ve got something rather than nothing.

You can slip a knife into his Christmas stocking and he’ll be thrilled when he discovers it. It will be the first time in a long time that he had a toy to play with on Christmas morning. If you have a son who’s coming of age, you should slip a Swiss Army knife into his stocking. If you get your husband a knife for Christmas, he can use it all morning to open up Christmas gifts, toys, cards, and packages. He’ll be happy to use his new gift all morning.

I’m recommending two knives this year depending on your need:
2) An Every Day Carry Knife for the pocket of his jeans and khakis
1) Swiss Army Knife (especially for your 8-18 year old young man)

See details below:

2) The Everyday Carry Knife: Ken Onion Tactical

This is the knife that a man carries in his pocket every single day. With this knife he opens mail, cuts string, cuts tags off clothing, removes splinters, and all the other odd jobs suited for a knife.

My one criteria for an “every day carry” or “EDC” is that it have a pocket clip that keeps it from falling out of your trousers at the baseball game. The other important thing about an every day carry knife is that it be lightweight. You don’t want to carry a heavy lump in your jeans pocket. The pocket clip also keeps the knife high in your pocket so it’s comfortable whenever you sit down or drive.

This is the one in my pocket! I recommend the Kershaw’s Ken Onion Tactical as your every day carry.

1) Swiss Army for Younger Men and Boys

If your man is a gadget guy then he’s probably a fan of the multi-tool or Swiss Army.

These are the knives that have many, many other tools attached: bottle opener, saw, tweezers, toothpick, pliers, etc. The Swiss Army knife if perfect for a boy’s first knife (age seven). If he’s reached the age of reason, he should have a knife.

PS: If you want your man and/or boy to get out into the outdoors and use their knifes, then check out our new Catholic bushcraft apostolate for priests, fathers and sons: The Troops of Saint George! He’ll learn how to use a knife, start a fire without matches, and prayers in Latin. It’s legit, strenuous, and fun. Start a Troop in your town or parish. We have a TSG starter kit waiting for you.