Please help me decide on a Christening present for my husband's niece

booklover

Hello

We will be attending the Christening next week of my husband's 6 week old niece. We are not very close to them and cant decide what to get I would love to hear your ideas please as i need to buy something ASAP.


Many many thanks in advance

Fiona

Hippychick

We bought our niece a Royal Doulton Winnie the Pooh plate cup and bowl set, it was absolutely gorgeaus and she loved it. Not used for every day feeding mind, but it is something she can keep forever.

We bought it from John Lewis I think it cost about £30.00 we struggled as there are lots of christening gifts which can look quite tacky IMO.

Royal Doulton also do Bunnykins sets and Peter Rabbit sets which are nice.

seashore321

You don't say how close you live to them, what about a babysitting voucher! In case they ever want a break. If it is a little girl then a piece of jewellery (silver can be kept for when she grows up.) I always think that a silver photo frame to put a picture of the baby in is always appreciated.

katieeloise

I bought my god daughter a silver charm bracelet for her christening, now each birthday and christmas I buy a charm for her.

pusscat

I bought my God Daughter an antique prayer book for her christening - that way it is something meaningful, but she can flog it one day when she wants a car and it should be worth more than I paid for it! I got it from an Antique Book shop in Windsor.

Another niece I bought a silver antique bowl for and another an antique set of napkin rings - again nice keepsakes but they can flog them when they want a car!

In general, anything antique will probably go up in value over time, the parents have no idea how much you paid for it, and you can get away with being a bit quirky.....

How about a bottle (case?) of wine/champagene/port to lay down for her http://www.laywheeler.com/home/wineshop/product.aspx?prodid=6480017118th Birthday,http://www.laywheeler.com/home/wineshop/promotion.aspx?promo=D510 or some premium bonds in her name?

You could dedicate a tree in her name, adopt an animal http://www.zsl.org/shop/london-zoo-adoptions/category.html?cam=generaladopt2&gclid=CKa49tervI4CFQ5uMAod02u4ywor use one of the "gift schemes" where you can buy some goats or a chicken for a family in povery in Africa http://www.harvesthelp.org.uk/gifts2.asp?gift_category=1&Level=1&page=32 - far more thoughtful than some of the awful tat that you can find for Christenings onthe High Street.

My God Mother bought me a glass ornament for my confirmation - it is a modern minimalist design and I have really grown to love it over the years.

Depends on your budget but I hope these help some!

Puss
xx

Shelle

You dont mention what budget you have.

If on a very small budget, how about a baby keepsake time capsule? You can get them on ebay for around a fiver (including postage) and they are really excellent value!

I bought two last year (twins!) and was amazed at the quality of them, they look much more than a fiver.

Try the keywords keepsake capsule in ebay to see them.

poppett

i was after something different to the "usual" silver gifts for my god-daughter as well. Asked around and had some lovely "alternative" suggestions. How about opening a bank account and depositing regularly until the child is 18? Or how about growing and naming a rose after her. Can find you a link for the latter if you want.

Hope you find something nice.

cuddlymarm

Hi

I work in a traditional toyshop and we sell loads of things like wooden babywalkers or prams or dolls houses (all things that are lovely but that are going to be useful) A lot of people don't have display cabinets to show off ornaments etc because modern houses are much smaller.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

babs

Hi,

Firstly, I'd say avoid all the silver plated memento's and china that really are not worth anything in years to come. After 3 kids baptised I had an abundance of these and in my honest opinion they don't want them when they grow up - I eventually told my 22 year old he takes them or they go! He took them and dumped them!

The best christening present was one given to me for my middle son which was a childrens saving bond in his name from the post office. The minimum purchase is £25 and they can't cash them till they are at least 16 when they can control the bond themselves. My middle son is now 16 and he knows his uncle and aunt gave him it at his christening as their name is on it as a gift. Its worth over £100 now, but he is leaving it alone till he is 21.

I think this is a really nice, longlasting present. That they can appreciate when they are old enough to appreciate it!