Christening - godparent

[smallerthanachicken]

Hi. I've been asked to be godmother for a lovely little girl next month. I am looking for gifts for her - am I supposed to buy the parents/family a gift? Or just the child?

I ask as the parents have mentioned (I'm not supposed to know) that they're getting something for me which I find a bit odd and don't want to turn up with less than is "normal" but equally I don't have endless amounts to buy things!

You just buy a gift for the child. 😁

Buy something meaningful for the godchild. It doesn't need to be expensive.
The usual christening gifts are tacky.

I was thinking of getting a nursery rhyme book with the name and date of the christening on?

It's hard as I don't want to buy something massively obvious as everyone else will likely choose the same!

Bear in mind that the baby will have lots of baby things and won't be any the wiser. One day the baby will be a teenager and an adult, so maybe something that could be cherished then. I don't think you have to get a gift. The gift is you being a godparent.

That would be lovely, @smallerthanachicken .

I bought my goddaughter a set of baby swimming lessons. It was about £120 but not something someone else had already got for her.

Something for the child. Usually something silver is bought. I was bought a silver photo album for DS. But it doesn't have to be, anything sentimental is fine.

Depends where the parents are culturally from. If they are European they will be expecting expensive think £300+. In Europe Godparents are taken mega serious especially Med countries. UK based a token gift will do.

Books are a good gift, I would buy one that you really enjoyed as a child or a child friendly bible - the jesus storybook bible is a nice one. The traditional baptism gifts like photo frames and money boxes tend to end up gathering dust.

This is absolutely lovely but I'm not sure I could stretch that far unfortunately. I think I'd like more of a keepsake too

The christening money box or baby's first silver hairbrush type gifts are just tat. Sorry. The swimming lessons is inspired, but involves giving more work to the parent. A children's book is a lovely thought, just maybe not Grimm's Fairy Tales.

Bunnykins... Christening set.. This is what I've bought for christenings in the past!

Buy her a nice kids Bible and loads of girls Bible devotionals

Are you / the family actually religious? What denomination? How many godparents?

if religious then I always think the gift should be too, from a godparent. So Bible as suggested, or if Catholic a rosary (you can get lovely handmade ones with the child’s initial etc). If not then a keepsake type item (that will get used - think frame or candle holder for displaying the christening candle if you know details of the one being used) or special book is fine.

Is there a local farm park near you with animals and play area? If so, I'd recommend an annual pass. The baby is probably free anyways so 2x adult passes so they can all go as many times as they like would be nice.

Playmobil 123 do a nice chunky Noahs Ark play set which I think makes a nice christening gift.

Nope. Neither they or I are. Which I think is why I'm struggling as I feel a bit weird buying a bible or similar....

My cousin got my ds a beautiful illustrated book of fairy tales for his christening which has been lovingly used. A friend of mine got him a small toy box (like a little crate) with his name on it, I love that little toy box and have bought the same thing for others over the years.

Huh.

Wonder why they are having a christening then?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz sorry I think I didn't explain properly! The wider family are but the parents themselves aren't. I think they're doing it because they're expected to if I'm honest!

Not On The High Street website has lovely personalised gifts and books for special occasions. I think a personalised book (maybe nursery rhymes?) is a great idea.

The book sounds perfect op! If they are buying you something (whyyyy?!?!?) then if you have any money some sort of a trinket for them- maybe the cheapest willow tree ornament- looks classy and thoughtful

Love the idea of a willow tree ornament!

Huh.

Wonder why they are having a christening then?
people can be not that religious but still have a sort of belief or liking of certain values or just the general idea of god/ heaven. That’s where we were!

I loved reading to my children so now always buy a hardback book for a new baby or a christening gift. I loved receiving books for my two so I think it’s a lovely gift.