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Help with Christening present

Have never been to one before so not sure re gifts etc.

Does the gift have to be a traditional keepsake or can it be anything? Would rather buy a nice selection of picture books that can be enjoyed rather than a keepsake that ends up boxed and stored. Would that be ok?

Comments

  • Mummy_Jo
    Mummy_Jo Posts: 496 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    There are a few things to consider here. Are the parents religious in anyway are you... Is it a religious ceremony.

    Traditionally the items WERE silver based - photo frames, keepsake boxes, jewellery etc... You never said if it was a boy or girl.

    All of this considered. I am religious, I go to church every week etc but I consider a lot of the more traditional stuff to be TAT! It either goes on the shelf to gather dust or in the kids memories boxes!

    Some of the nicer things that I recieved for my kids were necklaces and bracelets for my little girl for when she is older and cufflinks, toddler bibles, toddler religious books etc for my little boy.

    I run the "Holy Shop" at our little church and there are a few options out there that you can try but to be honest I wouldn't want most of it.

    You know there is a really nice range out there of statues I can not remember the name of it though - may be called Willow. They are in most jewellery shops these days - you can get angels with little boys and girls, dads with newborns etc. That may be worth a go.

    My last suggestion is to call the parents and ask what they would appreciate in terms of a gift. They may have something in mind. Maybe they are collecting a range of porcelain - such as Peter Rabbit or something and you could buy a piece to join the range.

    Failing that money for the bank account

    If you need any more suggestions come back to me

    Jo
  • Being a book lover myself, I love nice books. As my children have got older they too have appreciated those lovely hard backed traditional books they had for their christening. We are going to a friends daughters christening tomorrow. I have bought the A.A Milne books.... Now we are six, When we were very young etc... books. Alice in Wonderland( good if you have a child named Alice as we do), a childrens' bible or poetry book are also nice too. Hope this helps
  • DaisyFlower
    DaisyFlower Posts: 2,677 Forumite
    Thanks, the parents are not at all religious but I believe their family has always chrsitened new babys.

    Its a big party so plenty of guests and presents so may find some nice books that can be enjoyed at bedtime rather than a keepsake. Not keen on giving money as a present.

    The Willow figures recommended my MIL would love so may have found her birthday present :T
  • Giggle
    Giggle Posts: 3,137 Forumite
    You could alwas make them a nappy cake there is a whold thread about nappy cakes if you wanted to take a look
    I Love My Computer Because My Friends Live In It
  • paddingtondoo
    paddingtondoo Posts: 3,392 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    My DD had a set of coins and several of the cherished teddy figurines as well as a couple of bracelets.

    I think a set of books would be lovely - never thought of that at the time :o
    Officially a non-smoker but still rounder than recommended :p
  • scrivette
    scrivette Posts: 201 Forumite
    I often buy books for Christenings and they are always appreciated. I tend buy traditional ones or ones I know that the parents enjoyed when they were younger (Hungry Caterpiller, Winnie The Pooh, My naughty little sister etc).

    I also write in the books so that when the children are older they know where they came from.
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