WWUD - christening presents if not close to family

[Schnullerbacke]

I have never been to a christening before and not sure of the protocol. We are not very close to this family, more like neighbours helping each other out. They have 5 kids so money is obviously of concern. So, if you are not the godmother, merely invitees, what is the present protocol?

I remember when DD was christened being really surprised at the number of presents we got. I had never been to a christening before that, but if I had been invited to one I am not sure the thought of a present would have occured to me. Anyway now I always buy small presents for the child - a toy or a little outfit. For both of ours we also got loads of picture frames which I liked. If you are close enought to have been invited I would get soemthing but just something small for the baby. Under a tenner should do it.

nice photo frame and then it can have a pic of the babies christening in it.

I would bring a small present. For DDs christening we got some nice hardback books, some with a link to her name, others more religious books. Also a couple of nice plants, a rose bush (linked to her name) which i thought was a lovely present.

A bible?

A christening is about welcoming a child into the church and really shouldn't be seen as a gift giving/getting occasion. But if you feel you really need to take something then make it very small, preferably under a fiver if possible. I give cards only at christenings.

The nicest non-traditional gift we got was a pretty china money box. DD (4) uses it now, and loves it. A china mug is always nice too, or a tooth-fairy pot. We also got lots of books - some religious, others nicely illustrated fairy stories, poetry anthologies etc. Agree that a small gift is fine.

Well, all the kids are older (between 7 and 1 yr) and since they are only doing it (well, primarily) to get into catholic school later, I don't feel like I want to spend tons of money on presents. It would be a very different story if they were really good friends of mine but....

Also, do you give anything if someone renews their vows?

are they all getting baptised together?
if so you could get them something like this as a family present
children's bible

If you are neighbours who help each other out, how about asking if they need any help with the food/drink/cake etc for the christening?

When the DTs were christened I said to people 'no gifts required' but still received a lot of absolutely lovely and useful stuff, which I felt oddly guilty about.

Thanks for all your lovely ideas! Mumsnet to the rescue yet again.

If you go to the Christening, you should take a present.

Same with a vow renewal imo, but you would hope that a couple renewing their vows would ask for no gifts or charity donations or something. You don't go to a birthday party without at least taking a bottle of something nice, why should any other event be any different?

I'd try for a family present in this situation though.

The "proper" form is that only godparents give presents. And grandparents - if they want to.

Thinking about it, a couple of my mums-and-babies friends came to DD's christenings and they gave cards only, as did my mum's best friend. Everyone else gave a gift I think. My kids were babies, though. I think it is different if they are doing an en-masse baptism for practical reasons.

I was really pleased and surprised to get so many gifts, got some clothes, small toys, some books.
Don't buy a bible and traditionally that is what the Godparents will give. You could buy some stand alone bible stories for small children, though. DS got a lovely Noah's Ark picture book.

I was going to offler loads of suggestions but then you said it was to get into school. A card and an offer of help with the party should do.

I didn't expect presents when dd was christened though she did get a gift from her god mum and s couple of relatives. I'd just give a card.