Christening etiquette and gift?

[AlunWynsKnee]

Dc and I are going to a christening. I know nothing about how they work or what sort of gift I should get.
I'm an atheist so wouldn't normally get invited or go but I'm going to this one for reasons that don't matter to the thread. They are church (C of E) attenders, not related to us and in their 20s. We're just guests not godparents obviously!
Is there a 'dress code'?
Does the gift need to be religious like a bible or a St Christopher? Or can it just be something like a toy?
Is there anything else I should know?
I've never been to a big christening so I don't know how it works.

Nice, smart/casual clothes. Maybe a nice skirt and top, any time i have to go to church i always think what would my grandmother think i looked nice in haha, that sort of attire.
No gift doesn't need to be religious but probably something baby can keep rather than just a toy that will get broken and thrown away. A nice photo frame or a piece of jewellery etc

Exactly as above. Something smart and presentable for church, a keepsake type gift - money box / jewellery box / silver frame / handprint kit / book.

Ha ha Merrz my granny was a hat, gloves and handbag for Chapel sort so no help there
Thanks for the info.

We usually give books.... Illustrated versions of childrens classics. We are going to one tomorrow and have Peter Pan and The Jungle Book.

Smart casual is fine here (Ireland)- jeans, a nice top and some boots would be fine.

I’d stay away from a religious gift actually- no one needs multiple St Christopher’s, Baby Bibles or Baptism Certificate holders.

Maybe a toy Noah’s Ark would be as religious as I’d get. Other than that, I’d get some classic books (Peter Rabbit, The Gruffalo, Dr Seuss etc) instead.

Smartly dressed (I wouldn’t wear jeans).
Some sort of “keepsake” gift. You could look on Notonthehighstreet.com for ideas.

We too are atheists but have been to christenings of several friends children and always bought a lovely book eg special edition of The Tiger who came to Tea, Elmer, Roald Dahl and so on. I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a religious gift so figure you can never have enough lovely books!

Yes to a nice book.
I have four kids and we are Catholic although we are very grateful for any gift we have rather a lot of bibles, holy medals, crucifixes, rosary beads....
In fact we could probably kit out a church

Smart casual. Dressy trousers or skirt and top. Not jeans where we are. Last time something had to be bought we got an engraved spoon from Etsy. Baby’s name and date of christening. Wasn’t too expensive.

There is an absolutely beautiful book just out called 'The boy the mole the fox and the horse' by Charlie Macksey stunning book and perfect for a keepsake gift- I will be buying for all future new baby gifts and christenings!

I wouldn't wear jeans but equally wouldn't dress as smart as if I were going to a wedding.

I nearly always buy books for Christening gifts.

Thanks Goodebe too

Oh lots of you arrived while I wasn't looking. A nice book would be exactly the right sort of gift for us to give so I shall give that some thought and dig out my flowery skirt.
Thank you all.

Smart casual, slightly smarter, no jeans. No need for a religious gift and definitely not if you are non-believers yourself. Religious gifts are best left to grandparents and godparents who can decide who's getting what. A nice card with a nice message. A hard-backed children't book would be lovely. One of my DDs got a lovely box set of Roald Dahl books and the other got a lovely Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales illustrated by Harry Clarke, beautiful book. Or, pop some money in the envelope for the college fund! A plain silver frame is lovely too, nothing personalised.

Have a lovely day out!

Layer up as churches can be cold.

I wouldn’t wear jeans or trainers. Smart but not as dressy as a wedding.

Any gift is fine, doesn’t have to be religious

My church is no jeans or trainers, shoulders covered (although this time of year that’s unlikely to be an issue).
I’d buy something that’s a keepsake rather than a toy, jewellery or something that can sit or a shelf so it doesn’t get ruined.

We have friends who invited us, total atheist and DH is very open about it, to their DCS christenings.

Smart casual is a good tip, I normally take a blazer, top and trousers with heels. Blazer because churches can be quite cold, in winter nobody will say anytif you keep your coat on.

Gift wise, we always gave books, there are some beautiful illustrated classical stories out there, not really to read to a baby but for later. I personally stay away from personalised things as they just gather dust, often been given mor than ones and in my opinion naff.

Jeans would be totally fine at my church and I wouldn't have wanted anyone I invited to think they were under any dress code requirements

It's not an old church so hopefully it won't be freezing but a jacket is a good tip.
Feeling much more informed now. Fingers crossed the hymns aren't obscure!
Thanks again.

It's most unlikely there would be any singing. If you are atheist you would not be expected to join in the responses, just be respectful observers in the sacred space.

Don't forget to have a couple of quid in change handy for when they pass round the collection in church. Always catches me by surprise as I'm not a churchgoer.

One of the last christenings I went to had an expensive john lewis gift list in case they got duplicates or things they didnt want.

It was a very vulgar affair

I'd say you just need to take a token gift if anything at all. It is about welcoming a child to church not a grab bag for presents

It's most unlikely there would be any collection, unless you are attending a Mass/Service immediately before the Christening.

It's most unlikely there would be any singing

I don't think that's true. It may well be part of the the normal Sunday morning service in which case singing is almost guaranteed. Even the one baptism I've been to that was a separate service in the afternoon had two hymns.