Godchildren

[umbongoumbongo]

AIBU to ask your thoughts on what to give for the christening of a godchild? Especially on an unreasonable modest budget. I'm very creative so AIBU to make something or do parents expect the usual silver bracelets etc?

I got a beautiful engraved pewter christening cup for £30

A Bible - you could make a protective cover/case for it and personalise it as you're creative? That would be a keepsake and totally unique.

Something handmade would be lovely! I wouldnt go down the "silver" route as its often unused and frankly a waste of money.

I like the ELC wooden Ark toy. Its a shape sorter too with pairs of wooden animals. I think it is around £15?

We had our christening recently and from the godparents we got:

Noah's arc cutlery set
A Noah's arc piggy bank
And a keepsake book

As a Godparent, I would go for a Bible, Prayer Book or Hymn Book.

And you can out your crafty skills to good use for future gifts (if you want to) on the occasions when you are not making the formal religious vows.

How about making a beautiful photo frame? You can get the supplies quite cheap from Hobbycraft or similar. Another idea is a "keepsake" box - DD2's godmother gave her one that she loves and fills with all her treasures (she's 8). Personalised with her name and I think her birthday.

What about a promise? We had a naming ceremony for our girls, and encouraged people to promise to do things with them as they grow and to nominate a future date/age when they can claim it - so my step dad is taking them to their first football match for example, and an (un)godparent is organising a trip to the theatre in X years' time.

Some good ideas here thanks. I will avoid the bible idea as another godparent is a regular church goer so will leave that to them but I like the ark theme; lots of ideas to do with that and I am an animal person so could tie in nicely

We got some beautiful books for the DC's from their Godparents.
Special edition type collections like Winnie the Pooh, Thomas the Tank Engine and children's Bible stories (rather than a full Bible) aren't too pricey and are a gift that can be passed down the generations.

two of my close friends made quilts for my DTs christening and they are just wonderful, the DTs (now 2) love them and they were one of my favourite presents because they were handmade.

DC1's godmother made a lovely cross-stitch sampler for hi!!s christening which is also really lovely.

cant beat a homemade present

It depends. You may be creative, but what you make may in all honest be tat. Hell, people try to sell all sorts of childish crap. However if your stuff really is good then something handmade and personal would be terrific.

Honesty, not honest.

I'm a professional artist so I'm confident in my skills

We got some silver engraved things for dd, but they just sit and get tarnished! I much prefer the lovely name picture someone gave her-she will take it with her wherever she lives forever.

I got my godson/nephew a St Christopher pendant. I remember getting one for my christening (I was 4 at the time). It came in a lovely gift box with a personalised card and was under £30.

I also knitted his cardigan and shoes for the service as well as making the cake.

DS has 6 godparents (sadly one died) and was given varying items from very different godparents. One godmother set up a bank account (£100 per birthday and £10 per month), another godmother gave an engraved Pewter tankard and one of her paintings, the other godmother gave a box of Bach Flower remedies (!!?). From his godfathers he had an engraved silver tankard and port to lay down for his 21st from one, an acoustic guitar from another and the last godfather gave him gorgeous gold cuff links and the promise of fishing rods and shotguns when DS was older.

Oops - forgot to say, do something personal to you. You say you are an artist so give one of your pieces as a gift.

Could you do a decent painting of your Godchild?

I'd prefer it to any manner of silver plated tat meself.

As a professional artist then no doubt handmade would be great! Each of mine have a sketch pertinent to their interests done in their early teens by an old friend that's a fairly well known person, their art is a sideline. They have always been hung proudly by them and are well loved.
There are people that are sadly deluded as to their talents, though.

I framed a bag of happiness

What about making a traditional christening gown? If your skills extend that far.

DD's godmother gave her a canvas with paints so we can make hand/foot prints and an illustrated children's Bible. DH and I thought they were very thoughtful gifts and will be used more than the usual silver bracelet etc....

I would be happy with something homemade beats the usual photograph frames ,money boxes ,bracelets etc !

I would love something that was made with love and thought and meant something!

For my dd her christening had a mix of things. She did get traditional silver photo frames and bracelet. She also got a necklace with her initials on for when she's older. A beautiful keepsake box. One godmother got her a beautiful pair of christening shoes, with her name, date and the name of the church stitched on the bottom. (The other godmother did her a beautiful cake) it was all lovely, personal and meant something.

Money box?