Christening gift

[HermioneWeasley]

I’ve been invited by a work colleague to her baby’s christening. I’m very touched to have been invited but have no idea what to get for a gift. I’m not religious and haven’t been to one for about 18 years. Also no idea what to wear!

advice welcome please

Generally people wear a nice day dress.

Overwhelmingly, congregations in Churches dress far more casually now than even 20 years ago, let alone 40 years of more ago, but, IME, people who have been invited tend to dress a bit smarter. Not wedding smart, but, looking like they've made an effort.

Re the present - if not a Godparent, then I would just get a present that is suitable for a child of that age, or something that will be useful some time in the next few years. I mean, it will depend what you want to spend, but something like a nice book of short stories would be my go to. But a toy would usually be just as welcome.

I'd avoid things like little silver bangles and the like that were fashionable for Christenings a while back, and definitely go for a toy of some kind or a book.

OP I went to a christening on Sunday. A couple we know from chatting in the pub so I put £20 in a card.

Also I wore black linen wide leg pants, black t shirt and tan jacket. Some people wore jeans and trainers, others dresses and suits.

I recently had my baby christened. People coming to celebrate him was the main thing- I couldn't think of ideas for gifts for those who asked as my friends had been so generous at my baby shower already.

Gifts I appreciated- anything personalized and a silver money box and a silver photo frame. Didn't need more soft toys but got a couple. Got a silver rattle but I've banned him from playing with it after he dropped it on his face and got upset! He also got silver spoon and cutlery but again it's too dangerous for him to use. No one gave him Money which would have been nice to put in his savings account- normally I'm anti asking for money but in hindsight that would have been nice for him to get (I wouldn't ask for this though)

Also no one gave him Anything Christian related - might have been nice to have a children's bible or something. I'll get him these things for Xmas though.

Perfect

Outfits- as mum I dressed up in a lace dress as if attending a wedding.
For guests - if you do dress up it'll be appreciated, but basically smart Casual at least. No blue jeans or t shirts

The last christening I went to I gave them a book of children's bible stories. There are loads of nice ones on Amazon for about £10.

Dress wise, as pp have said, smart (not jeans) but not as dressed up as a wedding. Think going out for afternoon tea at a nice place vibes.

I usually give a classic children's book, a child's cup with a name on or a noah's ark toy (the Playmobil 123 one is good).

Thanks for all your suggestions, some great ideas!

Good advice

Yep agree with the outfit vibes - afternoon tea at a nice hotel sort of outfit. If it’s soon, take a smartish layer in case it’s freezing in the church, but don’t be very wrapped up in case you happen to be next to the space heater.

Present - for a work colleague I’d either stick a £20 in a nice card or go for a nice copy of a children’s book but don’t write a message in it. I’m a vaguely religious friend / acquaintance to lots of colleagues / neighbours / school friends / uni friends / People at church so I feel like I’ve done so many christenings in the last couple of years!

These are my go tos, depending on the age of the child (nursery rhymes if still a baby):

https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-nursery-rhyme-for-every-night-of-the-year/allie-esiri/emily-faccini/2928377168162

https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-poem-for-every-night-of-the-year/allie-esiri/allie-esiri/9781509813131

Or I go for an anthology:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-judith-kerr-treasury/judith-kerr/9780007586530

https://www.waterstones.com/book/fairy-tale-land/kate-davies/lucille-clerc/9780711247529

https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-childrens-treasury-of-milligan/spike-milligan/9781852273217

https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-childrens-literary-treasury/anna-james/9780712353977

These have all been well received in the last year or two.

I almost always give a children's Bible, there are many different to choose between, or a children's prayer book.

But there are many other options too, really good suggestions by previous posters!

A nice children's book is a good gift. Or an anthology of children's rhymes and/or songs.

I gave premium bonds at the last christening I attended. 5 years ago now though.

I gave this last time I went to a Christening 😊

www.amazon.co.uk/Carved-Painted-Christening-East-India/dp/B00ZSS4J4M

I didn't expect any gifts when my children were Christened but we got some lovely things. Books, clothes, toys. Some traditional stuff too. Anything you'd normally buy for a baby.

And don't worry about outfits. I wear jeans to church every week. I wore a dress for my own DC's Christenings and most people who were joining us as extra guests that Sunday dressed up a bit but I wouldn't have batted an eyelid at anyone in jeans and nor would the vicar. Just wear something you are comfortable in.

I'm Irish so have been to lots of Christenings. For friends or work colleagues we give money or a voucher. I wouldn't bother with all the christening gifts, they look nice bit are usually just stored in the attic. I have bought bangles in the past but only for family and would have also given money.

Clothes wise you can wear what you want. Most people don't get dressed up in their Sundsy best to attend church anymore. On the other hand it's a good reason to wear something nice as it is a special occasion.

Don't overthink it and enjoy the celebration..

We had our (2 1/2 year old) twins christened last year; gifts ranged from cash (we put that towards their kindle fire tablets that they had for their birthday), books, toys, a wooden tool bench and hi viz jackets, egg cups from god parents and 2 couples clubbed together and sponsored a red panda and a Humboldt penguin in their name for the year which meant they got a book, soft toy and a free entrance ticket for the zoo plus their name in a plaque by the enclosure at the zoo!!

In the past I’ve given cutlery sets engraved with child’s name, books of bible stories, tooth fairy/first tooth pots, and engraved/hand painted bone china cups when I’ve been a god parent. Also, for one of my niece’s who I’m god mother to, I gave a silver expanding bangle.

Just bought a wooden Noah's ark from not on the high street dot com ... much appreciated!

These are lovely ideas, thank you all for your help

Christening gifts
you can find christening gifts for girls and boys with personalization