Yes, it’s my favorite time of year.  The 2023 Oriental Trading Company spring catalog is out, and as always, they have astounded me once again with their weird and wonderful Easter offerings.  If you’ve ever wondered how a company can monetize your faith journey, well then this article is for you.  Here are a few of my personal favorites from this year’s catalog.

Cross Slow Rising Scented Squishies

Yes, for that ADHD kid in your family, why not have them take out their anxiety on our Lord and Savior.  These squishies feature a cross and a heart, but best of all?  They are SCENTED!  Every time your child or young adult feels nervous or anxious, a few squeezes of these toys releases the calming scents of salvation.  I can only assume these are the heady aromas of hope, forgiveness, love, and of course – cinnamon (everybody just loves cinnamon). 

“Leap For The Lord” Potato Sack Race Bag

Do you know what the disciples really enjoyed in their downtime?  A good potato sack race.  Your kids can enjoy that feeling, too – and afterwards?  They can get back in the fields where they belong to harvest this year’s garden crop – and they even have a bag to collect all of those spuds.  Hurry up now, those taters aren’t going to get into that bag by themselves!  Bonus points for adding in one of the ten plagues of Egypt (frogs).

Inflatable Construction Jack Hammer

From the “WTF?” files, this inflatable toy can really “drive home” the point of your Sunday school lesson, I guess.  I vividly remember all of the jack hammers mentioned in the Old Testament, and how they were secretly used to excavate the foundations of the Temple in Jerusalem.  It turned a job that would have taken 10 years and 500 men and reduced it to just a few weeks of work by good, union labor.  Solomon was so impressed that he used them on his summer place down in Capernaum.

Jelly Bean Prayer Candy Pack

I’m surprised that the church at large is even comfortable with promoting a rainbow candy, but here we are.  Each color represents a prayer your child can say as they work on their sugar high.  “But Mom, I don’t want to be sinning anymore!”  (the pink ones)  “Can’t I have some blood and heaven?”  (the red and yellow ones).  I noticed there wasn’t a lot to say about the black jelly beans.  That seems on point.

Personalized “He Lives” Mint Tins

If there was one thing Jesus required of his apostles, it was fresh breath.  Preaching in all of those small rooms and confined spaces, it didn’t take too long to figure out who had fish for dinner.  In addition, nothing drives home the point of a parable like the sweet, sweet smell of peppermint.  It really is quite magical.  Some might even say “miraculous”.

Easter is coming up fast, so don’t miss out on these and many other offerings at the Oriental Trading Company today!