a gift list for a christening? AIBU?

[threeforme]

There have been a few christenings amongst a group of acquaintances I know through my children. I am not religious but I am a bit about their efforts to outdo each other with the amount of time/money spent on these events, with no mention yet about the religious significance of the event. If one of the group isn't present at a meet up they are bitched about, e.g. 'oh they're just trying to show off' etc etc. The latest one has a website with a link to a gift list for a Pandora stockist. I find it all rather crass and distasteful. Is this the way christenings are these days? It's worth mentioning that these people are not rolling in money!

I really have never heard of a gift list for a First Communion here somewherewest. It's all money in cards but there has definately been inflation from the fiver!

I agree with whistleahappytunene. And I'm an atheist. Very distasteful.

Here is a great idea for a christening gift:

Baptism Cube

It is £6.99 (plus postage). People who are having a Christian ceremony inevitably love it. Anyone using a Christian ceremony to show off and beg for gifts is bound to hate it. You can't go wrong.

YANBU its grabby.

Love the baptism cube, JeanBodel, and your reasoning

I was baptised as an adult, so don't come from a background where infant baptism is the done thing. I struggle to accept them even as a practising Christian, but particularly for those families who aren't seen in church between christenings

I usually choose a big bedtime story book. All small children need those.

Love the baptism cube Jean, will def get one of these if I were to be invited! Although have developed a dislike for this mum as my instincts tell me she is grabby...and I can't help but assume anyone who would have a gift list for such an event would be mightily pissed off at not receiving a gift from the list (minimum price gift £25 apparently!)

Also, different issue, but agree with Horry that if family rarely worships they ought to wait until child is old enough to decide for themselves. Hey ho.

Sorry somewherewest, obv meant I agree with you! Must read own thread more carefully in future.

I don't understand why people have christenings if they don't show any interest in the religious side. I am afraid I will only ever buy presents with some sort of Christian link to them.

Yanbu.

The amount of people I see at our church who go for a few weeks (to show commitment) then are never to be seen again after the baptism is unreal! If a.person feels that way about church then why have their child baptised. And the ones I've seen are huge flashy affairs. Not my taste anyway.

We had ds baptised last year and only invited parents and siblings. We also said no gifts, just their company. I didn't want people feeling they had to get ds a gift because we had invited them. Plus he has too many things anyway and is too young to know.

I do think it's just another thing for some people to be in competition over...it's sad actually.

I think it's really sad, really. What is a christening if not to huddle round a baby afterwards in a drafty church hall, cooing at the newest member to the fold whilst eating ham sandwiches and rice crispy buns from one of those faux silver platters perched on a borrowed wallpaper table? Grabby lists just ruin what the whole thing's about.

Sorry, I worded my post badly. I didn't mean that we had gift lists for Communions, but that the crass showy off overspending element had spread to those as well while the religious element had got lost somewhere in the midst of all the partying and fashion statements.

I even saw a magazine in a shop a couple of years ago dedicated to first holy communions - like the bridal magazines you see everywhere.

My DS was blessed and dd will be named soon, and for both, we have provided a buffet and we don't expect anything in return, just the pleasure of people joining with us to welcome our children.

Some people have given gifts, but we in no way expected anything.