Christening gift ideas please

[BusterTheBulldog]

Going to a christening next week, have never been to one before and have no idea what a suitable gift is? Is it just general baby things that I’d get for bday / Christmas? Or more formal?

Any ideas are welcomed! Baby is nearly 1 and a boy if that makes a difference.

I expected to receive formal gifts (jewellery, classic children's book etc) but most people gave any old baby presents eg clothes and soft toys (dd was only 2 months old). Was a bit disappointed!

If you are close family then I'd ask the parents, if not then really it seems that anything goes!

In the past I’ve gone with:
Personalised cuff links
Teddy bear with name on
Books - Winnie the Pooh/Peter Rabbit
Personalised print for the nursery

Books. Please don't buy "useless" gifts.

DD got a silver chain with a St Christopher as one of her gifts. Clearly she couldn't wear it as a baby, and now it is too small.

I think you can go for one of 3 types of gift really, depending on the family and the type and strength of their religious affiliation.

1.) Traditional gifts:
Jewellery, (either for the baby or to keep for older, cross and chain, bracelet, st Christopher medal etc.)
On your christening day memorabilia, (photo frames etc, bible with special cover)
Money boxes (for some reason?)
Gifts editions of classic children's books.

2.) Religious gifts:
Bible, rosary beads (catholic only), cross, wall plaque, holy picture, statue of a saint (catholics only) etc.
Children's picture bibles, or bible story books (you can get all sorts of these, traditional and modern, funky ones) or bible toys such as jigsaws, noah's ark toy, child's nativity set etc

3.) Normal baby gifts

Gifts related to names, or to water are particularly appropriate to christenings. So if you didn't just want to get a 'normal' baby gift, anything personalised, or things like bath toys could be good.

Why would you give a baby jewellery for them to wear now? It can't be very safe.

I wouldn't give a baby jewellery. Makes no sense to me.
But some people do, it a traditional thing in some cultures.

I buy these type of sets

www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/products/dinosaur-3-piece-melamine-set-suitcase

Or a nice toy like a wooden Noah's Ark, or a book.

A photo frame
A pull along train with his name on
Money box
Art canvas with his name
Personilised book
Esops fable's

Silver egg cup?

I normally go with something cute, practical and relevant to the baby's age. Something like a nice feeding set could be good for a near one year old where he'll be eating more solids than milk from here on. A cup, bowl and cutlery combo is usually the best. Or as another poster said a nice wooden toy or book set.

DS got a mixture of traditional gifts and regular presents like he'd get for birthday or Christmas but one of our favourites he got was a leather passport cover with his initials on it

Thanks All! That’s really helpful, I had a little browse of the John Lewis website suggestions and that was mainly Jewelry or keepsake type things which I wasn’t too keen on as not that close to parents.

I think the feeding set is a good idea, we have some lovely Peter rabbit ones here so will prob go for that.

Thanks again

Seconding books. I usually go 'young' classic so sets of things like Dr Seuss books, Thomas the Tank Engine, Spot, Shirley Hughes books etc. Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island and that sort of thing are nice to put away for when they're older, too. Or a really nice blanket? Maybe one with their name on or something?

Get a vouchers, clothes or give what you would have spent towards the baby's bank account.

People bought my DD beautiful silver gifts such as frames, boxes, photo albums but they're still just in the boxes stored away 5 years later!

I went for a lovely Peter rabbit pop up book, and a chunky wooden train set. Thank you all!

(The money box range was astounding! Figured family are probably gonna get that sort of thing).

Thanks again everyone, really helpful

They sound lovely OP! Good choices!

My DS got 4 money boxes for his christening so was probably a good idea to steer clear of them

Excellent choices