Christening Gift

[springtime12]

Hi

I've been invited to my cousin's daughter's christening and I've no idea what to buy. They aren't religious so a bible or bible story book are out of the window.

Please help! Maximum cost £50

I'm not a godmother or anything, just a member of the family/ congregation

If you go into Waterstones, they usually have a "Children's Gift" section, and they have some lovely books of traditional fairy tales, poetry etc which would do.
A wooden Noah's ark toy.
A small wooden chair with the child's name painted on. Don't know how much they cost, but they are very popular!

Just a nice children's book for in a couple of years. Write in the inside cover: To Child on your Christening Day [date] with love Springtime and SpringtimeDP xxx

I had both my Dc christened (not religious particularly) and didn't expect presents, but did use the books we received the most. Silver ornaments very lovely but go in the 'keepsakes box' or on the shelf.

They aren't religious, but are having their daughter christened?

Yes they aren't religious, they're part of middle England that only go to church for wedding, christenings and funerals cos it's the done thing rather than any deeper meaning, like large swathes of the uk. And yes, I am aware that s christening is a Christian ceremony, however they don't believe in God.

Thanks for the book ideas, I quite like that idea. Are you talking about classics or contemporary ones?

What about something from the Royal Mint? We often get a silver sixpence or a set of coins for th year they're born?
www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/childhood-characters/

I would definitely buy a Bible or book of bible stories.

Porcelain cup and saucer? My DD got a Noah's arks one from my aunts for her christening.it's lovely and she uses it all the time.

I'd still buy a children's bible - you don't have to be a Christian to enjoy reading bible stories.

I specifically buy religious presents for people getting christened, a little book of bible stories etc, because I find it really annoying when people get their kids christened when they aren't Christian and don't believe in God.

@yellowgreenbluepurple how do you know they don't believe in god

I find it really annoying when people get their kids christened when they aren't Christian and don't believe in God

Agreed.i find it disrespectful to those of us that do believe. To make promises that you don't understand and have no intention of keeping. Why not just have a naming ceremony instead.

I would definitely buy a Bible or book of bible stories

Me too - partly because of the sheer hypocrisy and partly because it's part of out cultural heritage and everyone should know the basic stories etc.

I would advise against a money box, DD got 4! Some of the nicest gifts she received were yes a children’s Bible and prayer book but also classic book collections like Winnie the Pooh and Shirley Hughes which we’ve read a lot (she’s 6 now). She also got a silver music ornament thing which plays a tune when it turns engraved with her name and the date which was nice.

All my children were christened because our culture believes that you have to be christened to get a bed in heaven. Admittedly we only go to church for weddings, funerals and christenings oh and to the Xmas eve service ( Cos it doesn't feel like Xmas until then) doesn't mean we don't believe. You don't have to go regularly to be a better Christian.

I'd get a good edition of a classic children's book.

Narnia is good for christenings, as it's Christian allegory

We are atheist but got invited to our friend's DCs baptishm. We normally give a book with fairy tales/traditional stories.

I don't do personalised items like moneyboxes etc and I found that bibles are often given by godparents.

Saying that DD has a children bible because I belive in religious education and that she is allowed ot have her own mind about it as long as she knows what it means.

Thanks for all the ideas, appreciated. Think I'm going to go for books

Emma Bridgwater bowl , plate and cup ?
The coins sound a good idea too and she could frame them when she’s older .

Like this
www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/collections/new-baby-gifts

Or
www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/search?view=spring&q=Toy+box

A personalised lullaby: www.etsy.com/fr/shop/BabbleSong