Do people expect presents at christenings?

Kynthia

My daughter was baptised recently. We didn't really get cash but I know people sometimes do give it. Generally people gave keepsakes like a bracelet, bible, baby cutlery set, tea set, china cup and saucer set, money box, etc. A few people bought things like cuddly toy, comforter and a fun toy which were appreciated as not every gift needs to be a keepsake and it's nice for the child to have some things they can use now.

enjoyyourshoes

Chia wrote: »

Read your sig, and then read my responses to the others here who have tried to help me see the light.

I just think you have got the wrong idea about Iceland !

duchy

enjoyyourshoes wrote: »

I just think you have got the wrong idea about Iceland !

as well as christenings ............ I'm detecting a pattern here :rotfl:

Chia

This thread seems to be providing some kind of therapeutic outlet for some who have a need/desire to badger others online (glad I could provide a service for you, duchy). Those people display neither wit nor insight, so I'll leave them to it, because I have stuff to do and this is boring.

To those who helped: thank you. I'll buy something nice tomorrow.

To those who questioned my post without being jerks about it: thank you. I see your point and would reconsider such content in the future.

busiscoming2

I personally don't think a gift is necessary. I haven't been to many Christenings and have bought a small gift each time but many people (through speaking to them) haven't, nor have they given any other monetary gift.

I know what the OP means about the family not being religious. I know of people who have had their children Christened purely for the 'pretty dress' and who do it because 'that's what you do'.

kingfisherblue

I usually buy books. There are some great children's books available, many very cheaply. You can choose whether to buy something for the child to look at/be read to when they are very young, or a 'keepsake' type of book. My personal favourite is the Secret Garden, but I appreciate the language is quite old fashioned now, so may not be suitable.


I really don't think you can go wrong with a book, and you can spend as much or as little as you like. Hopefully, you will also foster a love of reading in the future for the baby.

System

Thinking back to my own chrsitening (so..a good 27/28 years ago), i think i was given a bible and a silver bracelet and a money box. No idea what happened to the bible but i think my mum still has the bracelet somewhere. I think both my sisters got bracelets and a money box too. not sure what my brother got probably the money box.

I've no idea what i'd give as a gift these days. I'm not particularly religious nor are any of my friends who are having kids so i guess i shall avoid that situation. :eek:

Bella73

I usually buy either an engraved silver bracelet or a St Christopher necklace, although gave my Godson an engraved silver cup.

mrcow

When my children got christened, they got 7 money boxes between them. 6 of them silver. Unfortunately, having the same thing 7 times over turned out completely pointless and so quite a few of them ended up on Ebay. They also got 3 silver birth certificate "scroll holders" (what the heck?)

I sound ungrateful, but it really was useless. I didn't expect or want gifts (I put that on the invitation) but we ended up with loads of silver, what only can be described as clutter.

The children did get a few Bibles and prayer books which were lovely. And a heck of a lot of ornaments (that they soon grew out of and I never liked). Oh and loads of silver photo frames embossed with teddy bears etc.

Present buying is a minefield I know, but if it was me, I'd steer away from anything silver, any money boxes, any ornaments or photo frames and definitely not a silver embossed birth certificate holder.

Happy shopping.

mrcow

Bella73 wrote: »

I usually buy either an engraved silver bracelet or a St Christopher necklace, although gave my Godson an engraved silver cup.

You see I don't get it.

What's the point of that? What use is it to anyone? Why would you think it's a good present and what do you expect him to do with it?

Stick it on a shelf so he can look at it? and dust from now to eternity?
Or stick it in a trophy cabinet perhaps?