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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Godchildren

81 replies

umbongoumbongo · 04/10/2014 11:21

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?

OP posts:
CobbOnn · 04/10/2014 13:48

I would love anything handmade (for myself or my child). Something unique and made with love (couldn't give a toss how much it cost).

wheresthelight · 04/10/2014 13:55

giving your artist comment I would assume handmade would be a much better option than the overpriced tat in the shops! dd was given lots of crap at her christening that has been stored in cupboard and never used inc one of those clay handprint kits

do something unique that means something special to the chikd and their parents as I suspect that will be far more appreciated than anything you could buy

HippyPottyMouth · 04/10/2014 13:58

I'd much prefer something handmade and special to the standard silver tat that never gets used. My silver bracelets have been out of my mum's jewellery box about 3 times in 30-odd years. The thought was kind, but the money was wasted.

BertieBotts · 04/10/2014 13:58

A nicely illustrated book of traditional fairytales is a nice thing to buy, and will bring much more joy than a spoon or something.

DogCalledRudis · 04/10/2014 13:59

Where i come from, its usually a tiny silver spoon for a boy or a gold cross for a girl. And birthday presents every year. The most important thing,that godparents take responsibility of a child in case parents die unexpectedly.

Groovee · 04/10/2014 14:10

I got my godchild a children's bible and had it personalised. But it was 12 years ago.

MochaMeltdown · 04/10/2014 14:12

I think book sets are nice, educational or traditional ones - like Beatrix Potter or Thomas the Tank Engine. You can get them very cheap from sites like Book People.

mrsstanners · 04/10/2014 14:16

6 godparents?! That's just greedy!

Tradition states 2, 3 at a push.

By asking 6 you are just cheapening the honour for all involved.

CheckpointCharlie · 04/10/2014 14:19

I did a box filled with newspapers from the day they were born, the cd that was number 1 in the charts when they were born and a quiz for them to complete when they are 18 and an IOU for a night out at whatever the going rate is then!!

grovel · 04/10/2014 14:29

I thought tradition dictates two godparents of the child's sex and one of the opposite sex.

Altinkum · 04/10/2014 14:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

grovel · 04/10/2014 14:32

From the C of E website:

Every child should have at least three godparents, two of the same sex and at least one of the opposite sex. Parents may be godparents for their own children, providing they have at least one other godparent. Godparents must be baptized themselves and old enough to make some serious promises on behalf of the child.

BackforGood · 04/10/2014 14:44

Generally expected that the Godparents do buy a bible, or a book of bible stories - that's why other people try to avoid them.

The fact you are an artist as a profession though, might give you leeway in terms of a special painting / embroidery (?? - don't know what type of artist you are) commemorating the occasion would be lovely.

Agree with others about avoiding tiny silver bracelets - complete waste of money IME

Asteria · 04/10/2014 14:50

MrsStanners DS had 6 godparents to make up for the fact that his father didn't want to know him after I extracted DS and I from the abusive home he was born into. I felt that surrounding DS with people who would support him through his childhood and on into adulthood would help to compensate for that. Also one of them was a dear friend of my brothers, who was terminally ill and knew he would never have children. He asked if he could be DS's godfather and I could hardly say no.

Asteria · 04/10/2014 14:58

Prince George has seven!!

Original poster
umbongoumbongo · 04/10/2014 15:00

Right thank you all; you have been very helpful. I have just bought a large box drawer advent calendar in the shape of a house and some extra wood to make a back panel so I can cut an ark shape to mount it on to. Am going to paint a pair of animals on each little drawer and her name at the top. I actually make customised oak stable/house signs and do animal portraits so it should look really nice and personal and is light enough to wall mount as a keepsake storage unit. Will try and post a photo when I've done it!

OP posts:
MrsSpencerReid · 04/10/2014 15:08

My ds is being christened tomorrow and I honestly wouldn't mind if he didn't get anything, it's not about that, however, if you want to get something and if one of his godparents was a professional artist, I think a painting/drawing would be lovely, something that could be enjoyed without me worrying it would get broken! (As it would be up on a wall out of reach!!) and special for him Smile

MrsSpencerReid · 04/10/2014 15:09

Cross post, that sounds lovely Grin

Asteria · 04/10/2014 15:10

That sounds really lovely OP. Really lovely to do something personal - maybe in years to come your godchild can share your interest and help you make things.

wheresthelight · 04/10/2014 15:30

wow mrstanners that's a ridiculously rude post!!! my dd has 5 godparents and it doesn't cheapen it at all - they all adore dd and spend a lot of time with her. they are important people in our lives and we couldn't choose between them.

it certainly doesn't "cheapen" anything and I say that as a godparent, godchild and a mother

StillSquirrelling · 04/10/2014 15:39

I have a few godchildren and I've bought them all various things:

DNiece got a large lump of amethyst (her birthstone) and a special christening bible

Best friend 1's daughter got a silver necklace with a simplified crucifix and diamond

Best friend 2's DS1 got an i-spy quilt (made by me) with lots of animals as the i-spy parts, and writing around the edge of it with the first verse of 'the animals went in two by two' song
Her DS2 got a wooden Noah's ark shape sorter
They both also got christening bibles from DH and me (both were christened at the same time and we were godparents for both)

StillSquirrelling · 04/10/2014 15:44

Forgot to add...

One of the loveliest presents my kids had from their godparents was something DD2 was given: a silver bangle with lovely engravings on it that her godmother was given as an 18th birthday present from her grandmother. It was such a special and thoughtful thing to give and DD2 will be able to wear it once she's older and doesn't have such stick-thin limbs

ladymariner · 04/10/2014 17:11

I bought my goddaughter a piece of Swarovski for her christening, with the idea that on 'special' birthdays or occasions I will buy her another so that she eventually has a lovely collection can never have too much sparkle

MrsHathaway · 04/10/2014 17:40

I am shortly becoming godmother to a little boy. I won't be buying anything religious: his father is a vicar so they aren't short of appropriate texts!

I intend instead to go for inspirational literature - "Oh the places you'll go" is out of stock in hardback, but that sort of thing. And long bespoke stories on each birthday.

Godparents aren't guardians nowadays. I know my friend wouldn't give me three more sons when she has perfectly healthy parents and the children have enthusiastic and loving uncles and aunts aplenty.

wingsandstrings · 04/10/2014 17:47

I really appreciated a beautiful book of poems for children (hard back, nicely illustrated, I imagine cost somewhere around 20/25 quid). The godparent had written something in the front.