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Original poster

Buying a book for a Christening gift - which one(s)?

30 replies

Hulababy · 06/05/2008 21:56

We are going to a Christening on Sunday and need to get a gift. I want to avoid the duplicate silver stuff - think DD had about 5 different money boxes, lol! I thought a small selection of books might be nice.

The baby is about 6 months old I think. Siblings are much much older so no problems re duplicates from there I wouldn't have thought.

Looking to spend around £20 I would think.

Which books would you recommend?

OP posts:
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Pendipidy · 08/04/2013 15:06

how about a personalised christening gift?

Squiz · 16/05/2008 11:08

I buy what I consider to be classic children's books - they are what I remember reading when I was little. 'The old lady who swallowed a fly' which is still published in fabulous 1970's colours, 'The Hungry Caterpillar', 'The tiger who came to tea','Mog' -but as you can see I'm a child of the 1970's and nostalgic!

zippitippitoes · 15/05/2008 22:44

what about this guy pop up booksd

missblythe · 15/05/2008 22:31

Does it have to be a children's book?

Why not the complete works of Shakespeare, a Folio Edition of The Canterbury Tales, or decnt hard backs copies of a few 'classics?

cory · 09/05/2008 08:38

What book you choose depends on when you want it to be used in the baby's life. If you buy a good quality picture book, it may be loved intensely and very important for child's development, but for a limited period. If you buy a collection of classics (like the Winnie-the-Pooh set or the Narnia stories) it will take longer before they can enjoy it, but then it will have a longer time in the child's life and may still be treasured (and even read!) when they're grown up.
I bought dd the Winnie-the-Pooh set for her christening. Takes a surprising amount of time before they are old enough for it (old Winnie is really quite advanced), but they can go on enjoying it for a long time.
I'd say both are good, but in different ways.
If you do go for a picture book, get something you feel you could enjoy reading 500 times.

Flibbertyjibbet · 08/05/2008 22:25

Thats the book I got Smithagain.

Smithagain · 08/05/2008 22:17

Doh! Must learn to do links.

It's Stories Jesus Told, by the authors listed in my previous post.

Smithagain · 08/05/2008 22:17

This one: www.eden.co.uk/shop/stories_jesus_told_103182.html

It's illustrated by Nick Butterworth (Percy the Park Keeper) and Mick Inkpen (Kipper).

The pictures are fabulous, the stories are Bible stories but told with loads of child-appeal and humour. It's a nice compromise between religious book and children's story book.

Have been reading it to my 5yo for about 3 years now and we both still love it!

Original poster
Hulababy · 08/05/2008 21:47

Right - apparantly mum is religious and is a church goer, but dad isn't. So I guess I could do either.

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Original poster
Hulababy · 08/05/2008 21:46

Not sure how religious the couple are actually - must ask DH.

Christening is on Sunday. Going shopping to Meadowhall on Saturday (also need outfits for me and DD for this and a couple of weddings).

Thanks Katz - will look there too.

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katz · 08/05/2008 21:41

since they're 3 for 2 nice bible stories

katz · 08/05/2008 21:39

this one to whole world plus cd

Flibbertyjibbet · 08/05/2008 21:39

I bought a book of childrens bible stories for a christening gift recently.
Amazon have one with illustrations by Mick Inkpen.
But you havent'really got time to get on Amazon... try W H Smith I'm sure they will have one.

(BTW I bought it because the parents told mil that they were expecting lots of clothes, toys and money for the child who was being christened. I thought sod that, if you're being christened you get a bloody religious present from me, not toys and clothes!)

katz · 08/05/2008 21:38

this one is lovely poems and prayers

katz · 08/05/2008 21:33

hula - not usre if anyone has suggested but Marks and Spencers have some really lovely books, had a nice childrens prayer book, story of Noahs Ark ect.

Original poster
Hulababy · 08/05/2008 21:31

Want to avoid a bible. think that would be more appropriate coming from a godparents or the parents themslves, and something that is likely to be duplicated if I bought it.

Like the idea of more classic type books either for now or later on.

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Original poster
Hulababy · 08/05/2008 21:30

I used to be but not know. That is what living in a one floor apartment with on storage does for you. Desite moving to a bigger house I am so used to passing things on once finished with I can't get out of the habit.

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RosaLuxembourg · 07/05/2008 22:23

I am a book hoarder, Hula. I am going to be one of those little old ladies who becomes gradually barricaded into her home by tottering piles of crumbling paperbacks. Eventually I will be killed in a literary landslide - but it will take my family weeks to find me because they will keep stopping to read interesting books they find as they dig their way down.

Original poster
Hulababy · 07/05/2008 20:02

Rosa - no, I tend to pass on rather than keep. So I sell, recycle or pass to friends/family.

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Tommy · 07/05/2008 13:58

DS3 got a lovely copy of the Just So stories for his christening - to keep for later.

If you don't want a particularly religious theme (if you do, just go to a Christian bookshop and they'll be loads) something classic that they can have later is nice.

TeeBee · 07/05/2008 13:56

About about a children's bible as its a Christening?

lucymack · 07/05/2008 08:03

What about the very latest Julia Donaldson one - Tiddler. It is only in hardback so makes a lovely gift. My boys love it.

RosaLuxembourg · 06/05/2008 22:24

But Hula, were you not keeping them all to read to your grandchildren?

Original poster
Hulababy · 06/05/2008 22:13

Rosa - I know what you mean about the big compilation books. Theya re just so impractical to actually sit down with and read.

Thanks for all suggestions.

Kicking myself really as I have just got rid of lots of DD's old books, with things like The Gruffalo, Tiiger who came to tea, etc. And a lot of the books were in perfect condition as DD is really careful with her books. I could have put all those together as a gift from DD, and then just added to it!

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snice · 06/05/2008 22:06

When DD was born I was sent Each Peach Pear Plum and Owl Babies by a distant relative -it was lovely.

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