Christening presents

Gavin83

I'm due to go to my first christening shortly. Having never been to one I'm not entirely sure what the present etiquette is. What sort of things would you normally get as a christening present? Unsure if it should be for the baby or the parents.

amistupid

Far too many parents who have their children christened only ever re-attend church for weddings and funerals, so what about buying them a book on dealing with hypocrisy.

Only jesting Gav, but it is one of my bugbears.

LilElvis

Don't worry too much. Most tat that is given at a christening just gets shoved in a cupboard. 48 years later I have a lovely collection of silver trinkets in my loft .... after my parents got fed up with it cluttering up theirs.

LilElvis

Go to the Book People site and order a set of Peter Rabbit books.

Cheap and reasonably useful.

KARO

It's for the baby, not the parents. Traditionally I think you get them something made of silver, but I don't know to what extent that rule is adhered to nowadays.

Counting_Pennies_2

For girls I buy a necklace with a silver initial for their first name on a chain.


For boys I get silver cufflinks engraved, or silver shirt stiffeners with their name engraved.


If the relative is close we have in the past bought premium bonds, but they have been going up over the last decade so been rather expensive so moved on to jewellery for all.


Gifts we have received are:


Bible stories
Teddies
Silver spoons with name engraved
Plastic cup, plate and bowl set
Gold sovereign
Premium bonds
Jewellery


hth

dancingfairy

As above, maybe a silver bracelet or coin, a moneybox? A small keepsake. Maybe a locket for a tiny bit of hair?
Certainly the things listed above are the traditional but I'm sure whatever you give would be appreciated, whether it's a photo frame with a nice photo of the child in, or a wooden frame with the childs name in etc (either with characters or in a nice font with bright colours).
It shouldn't be about the money. I guess it depends how close you are to family and how religious/traditional they are. If they are religious you could get a childs bible and write a nice message to the child in it?
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borkid

I recently went to a christening and gaves the babies ( twins) a mint £2 coin in a presentation box. When they are older they'll have a little piece of history as it commemorated the signing of the magna carta.

Kynthia

Take a look at this thread for advice. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5298189

The gift is for the child and I'm of the opinion that unless you're a godparent or grandparent it doesn't need to be traditional or religious. Lots of people buy things that will never get used or that others have bought as well. I don't put jewellery on my daughter but she was given two bangles and two necklaces. She also got China sets, a teapot (can't see her using that any time soon), and two comforters that were too young for her. While I appreciate the thought and effort, people's attendance meant more to me and I feel bad that some gifts won't get used. Hard back books, infant cutlery, clothes (don't buy a lovely coat in 9-12 month size when it'll be summer when they're that age/size), gift vouchers, an age appropriate toy are all lovely and useful gifts. You don't need to spend a lot.

oystercatcher

I hate buying 'useless tat' (as detailed above) so we gave money to be paid into the account we knew had been opened for the child. Hopefully it will be useful as she grows up. Lots of people were clutching pretty parcels but I'm sure much of this will end up unused.

I'm not very good at 'fluffy stuff' this to my mind is practical but maybe not romantic !

sweetilemon

amistupid wrote: »

Far too many parents who have their children christened only ever re-attend church for weddings and funerals, so what about buying them a book on dealing with hypocrisy.

Only jesting Gav, but it is one of my bugbears.

I wanted to get my nephew a bible for this very reason but MIL beat me to it. We got a congratualtions gift, then they had a baby shower, then the birth, then first Christmas I wasn't surprised when my MIL said "ask before you buy something, they have EVERYTHING". I'm not surprised! It's fair enough if your religious but sometimes it's another "celebration of me"/presents excuse, if they'd got married first they would have had such a day.

Anyway, I generally buy something as a keepsake. Something like a personalised nursary ryme book, keepsake box or premium bonds. The more genuine their reasonings the more I would be inclined to spend.