Christening Presents & Christening Gifts

This video presents an overview of traditional christening presents. Like in this previous article, it focuses on it from the godparents point of view.

When faced with the decision of what type of christening presents to give, godparents might get confused as to how traditional or modern the gift should be. As we wrote about the traditional side before in the article Traditional Christening Presents From Godparents we will focus on the more modern option today.

First off, what do we mean by a modern christening present? To some it would mean a breaking of tradition and not getting a silver spoon or pusher, to others it might mean getting a very unconventional gift. There is no real wrong answer here!

The past two decades has seen the decline of the mindset that christening presents must be silver baby rattles, and the rise of giving a more useful or meaningful gift. It is so much easier today to keep in contact with a godchild via the phone or emails so relationships between the two are stronger. The highly symbolic nature of silver spoons is no longer as needed for some people.

* For Starters: Think about the family who will raise the child since they will be imparting some activities and preferences onto the child. If they are avid sportsmen or into stalking game, perhaps an outdoorsy type gift would be a good fit?

* Full of Memories: Memory boxes can make a nice gift. Inside you can put pictures of the child and parents/godparents, along with memorabilia from the christening ceremony.

* Coming of Age: If you think it’s appropriate, some people buy a bottle of port or wine with a vintage year of the christening. When the child comes of age they will have a well aged present.

* Grow Into It: Have you thought about giving a promise to buy the child a nice pair of shoes or business suit? Instead of giving a baby outfit that will last 6 months, a nice outfit bought 18 years later can last at least 6 years and help the child with his job hunting.

These are just some examples of modern christening presents.

Found this video. It’s aimed at people who have been invited to a christening and don’t know what to get. Enjoy!

Are you invited to a christening? If you’re determined to give the most meaningful christening presents, there are some important things you need to know before you begin. Just follow these five tips for giving christening presents and it will all work out.

1. The most important factor when you start to shop for christening presents is making sure that you put some thought into it. The reason why this is important is because many people just buy some sort of silver item and think it’s ok. If you don’t put some thought into it, then you run the risk of giving yet another silver rattle or comb. In that case they will not get much use because everyone gave it!

2. Another important consideration for finding unique christening presents is to think about your relationship to the family and child. It’s critical that you don’t just give a Holy Bible because this is a common gift, and only the godparents should do that. If you make sure that you don’t give a gift the child can’t use, then you’ll be fine.

3. You don’t have to spend lots of money in order to give good christening presents. Even what you spend at a restaurant would make a fine gift. All you need to do is shop around, and make sure that you give something useful.

4. Instead of complicating yourself by looking for the perfectly fit piece of clothing or hat, try it this way: give someting the child cannot outgrow! In fact, if you give something that will be more useful down the road – maybe like a pocketknife, an album, or a memory box – then you will find that your gift keeps on giving!

5. Have you considered giving an investment? It’s not as difficult or expensive as you might think. Anything will help the child when they reach the age of majority. A savings account can be setup within an hour, and you can have one of the most useful christening presents for boys or girls.

So if you really want to give good christening presents, follow these five tips to ensure success. Good luck and thanks to Flickr user woodleywonderworks.

Looking to give your godchild a wonderful christening present? Here are several options that will be well received.

Best Christening Presents From Godparents to Give:

1. A silver plated christening box. This special star box can even be engraved with their DOB and the location of their christening. Your godchild can store bits and bobs in it, and everyone is sure to cherish this fine box.

2. Frame your godchild’s name. This quality christening present will last for years. It can be hung in the nursery right away and stay with your godchild.

Many godparents say this was the favourite gift at the christening. It can be personalised with many options as well.

3. For very young children a silver plated rattle makes a wonderful christening present from you. It will be a treasured keepsake and comes in a fine presentation box. This rattle is also very easy for your young godchild to hold.

Many godparents get confused though as to how traditional or modern the christening presents should be. Keeping in mind the gift should be a reflection of the permanent role you will play, it’s easy to get lost in the pull between what you think the situation dictates and what you think would be interesting for the child.

We will break christening presents into two categories: traditional gifts and more modern gifts. This article focuses more on the traditional side first.

Extremely traditional christening presents – we’re talking the early 1900′s and before here – can be appropriate for a very conservative family OR if you want to give multiple gifts. Classic etiquette dictates that the child be given a silver christening mug and utensil set by the godfathers, and a robe or cloak via the godmothers.

Let yourself be the guide on this one – if a very traditional image is what you would like to present, or you know the family would deeply appreciate the gesture, giving these very traditional christening presents is a wise choice.

Do keep in mind the child though. A fine cloak and mug might be very symbolic now, in two decades he or she might want something a little more modern. In this case, giving the traditional Christening Presents as a nod to the past as well a more timely gift is appropriate.

If you believe it to be okay to break out of this very traditional mold and not worry about impressing tradition, there is still a wide variety of christening presents. Silver jewelry is good choice. Consider a crucifix or cross design necklace or ring, sized for a young man or woman. Your godchild can grow into it when they come of age.

Leaving transient items are not good – the child will outgrow clothes, for example, and some little children’s story books are more appropriately given as childhood birthday presents, not Christening Presents.

Click Here To View All Our Christening Presents For Your Godchild

Giving christening presents is done after the child’s christening. It is a way to bond with the baby’s family and show how you will help support the child.

Many people are aware of how this is a serious time and do not want to give anything that could be considered offensive. This is understandable, and as a result many christening presents are very traditional and conservative items.

Silver jewelry or furnishing are a good choice. They can be gender neutral, very attractive, and last a lifetime. Cross and crucifix design jewelry is also popular.

The most commonly given of christening presents is a Holy Bible. For obvious reasons they can be very symbolic and treasured. If you are not in the immediate family though, giving a Bible is usually not a good choice though. It is considered a gift more appropriate from the parents, grandparents, or godparents.

Personalized christening presents are a popular gift. Giving a Christian name to the baby is an important step in the child’s life. Many people choose to commemorate this with an item that bears the child’s name.

People also have a tendency to treasure an item that has been monogrammed or has their name on it. I remember the first Bible I got – it had my name on it, and it has always been special for that reason.

While the newly christened child might be too young to remember this gift right now, in a few years they will be able to. Think about how it will be when understand their name and that the christening presents you bought them are personalized.

Also, another great thing about personalizing the present is that it can be done to most items. Silver, jewelry, and leather can all be inscribed. For plastic goods or other christening gifts, their name can be written or even built in.

Maybe the christening presents are for a slightly older person – one who is doing this later in life. In this case, consider giving them some cool jewelry with a cross design. They will be more apt to wear this.

If you’re interested in making a gift, consider creating a diorama. In it you could put a copy of the church certificates, pictures, or any other keepsakes.