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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to give "The God Delusion" as a christening gift?

52 replies

AndiMac · 06/09/2015 21:56

I'm kidding of course. But i thought it might catch your attention because I need your help.

We've been invited to the christening of our neighbours' child and I don't know what to give as a present. The last christening I went to was my own, which was several decades ago. We are an agnostic/atheist household and we didn't christen to our kids, so I honestly don't know what would be a good gift.

OP posts:
Moregravyplease · 06/09/2015 22:25

We had a decent bottle of wine to be opened on DC 18th birthday from my sister and also some silver cuff links from a friend.

MyCarHasBrokenDownAgain · 06/09/2015 22:54

I got my friends little boy a set of these, as I'm completely non religious:

Coins

MrsBojingles · 06/09/2015 22:57

Any decent kids book will do.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 06/09/2015 22:59

You can get commemorative editions of stamps, in nice presentation packs. A friend did that for a christening gift and I thought it was a nice thought.

noiwontstoptalking · 06/09/2015 23:03

We also got a number of beautiful illustrated copies of some classics.

Much nicer than some of the china type things which aren't really useful. (Although kindly and generously given)

I think I gave an illustrated Aesops Fables last time I was giving a Christening gift.

A really nice children's encyclopaedia is also good.

AnyoneButAndre · 06/09/2015 23:07

My DC loved Beatrix Potter - we must have skipped the ones with whippings (and yes they were original texts).

But the 4 Winnie the Pooh books or the 2 Alice's would be nice.

ScarletRuby · 06/09/2015 23:17

I've done the naming a star thing before. Always goes down well.

Norest · 06/09/2015 23:19

Dammit! I was about to come and tell you you are bonkers...but that would be kind of funny. You would have to run real fast after the opening of the present though...... Wink

The book ideas seem nice.

whatsagoodusername · 06/09/2015 23:22

I usually give a nice picture frame, in silver if I can find one.

The nice box sets or illustrated classics books are good too.

MaddyinaPaddy · 06/09/2015 23:23

I love the Beatrix potter/rabbits china
Or kiddy sized cutlery. I still have my own rabbits mug given for my own christening.

Diggum · 06/09/2015 23:24

Bertrandrussell that website is gorgeous! That's DD's next few birthdays sorted Smile

I got my own DD a hardback copy of Roald Dahl's Matilda for her naming ceremony.

lorelei9 · 06/09/2015 23:24

I think it would be fine, lol

seriously, I haven't read it but I'm an atheist so figure I don't need to. (I know you're kidding btw)

If you don't mind giving a gift the child needs to wait about 12 years to read, you could give "The Magic of Reality" which is nice Grin

I gave a really beautifully illustrated version of Alice in Wonderland as a christening gift. I knew she wouldn't read it for years but it was so lovely and I was worried that particular version might go out of print before she reached the age that I could give it as a birthday gift. Her parents were delighted because it meant they got to enjoy it before she did

MaddyinaPaddy · 06/09/2015 23:27

By rabbits christening China I meant royal doultons 'bunnykins' range

MaddyinaPaddy · 06/09/2015 23:29

Forgot to say I also got a beautifully illustrated jardbacked nursery rhymes book

ShadowLine · 06/09/2015 23:32

Seconding suggestions for a good children's book.

We also got some nice children's dining sets (plate + mug + cutlery sort) when DC got christened.

Jux · 06/09/2015 23:36

Bottle of port 2015. It'll be ready to drink when the child is of age.

Ericaequites · 07/09/2015 00:05

Yes, The God Paradox is highly inappropriate. I still adore Beatrix Potter, and spanking children is part of history. Better they encounter scary books than politically correct nonsense.

Fatmomma99 · 07/09/2015 00:16

I didn't know you could give books. I'm also an athiest, but when a good friend invited me to a Christening (looking back, I think the conversation she was engineering she was working up to asking me to be a godmother, but decided against when she asked me my views about Christenings and I told her, then I looked at her DD and said "oh, but we'd love to be invited to yours". I'm now SO sure she wanted me to be godmother!) I thought you had to give a Silver thing, so I went to H Samuel and got a something. Can't remember now. A piggy bank or a napkin ring or something.

It's probably not a good idea to invite a atheist Jew with immigrant grandparents to a christening... they don't really know the form!

Capewrath · 07/09/2015 00:21

Debbie Gliori's No Matter What about love and a badly behaved child, and a Nice Book. Dc loved Aesop with rackham illustrations. Suitable morals for atheist sponsor.

Andrewofgg · 07/09/2015 00:24

Wind In The Willows is ideal. Or a really beautiful edition of Shakespeare. Try Yale Shakespeare on Amazon USA.

PMSL at your attention getting subject line!

Celerysoup3 · 07/09/2015 00:31

A huge hard backed book or a collection of Shirley hughs stories is a great idea

Celerysoup3 · 07/09/2015 00:33

A collection of special post office coins.

hackmum · 07/09/2015 07:55

Fatmomma99 is right - it's traditional to give silver. But at the last christening I went to I was the only person who gave a silver gift and everyone else gave toys etc.

I do agree that a beautifully-presented book is a nice idea. Though I also think the parents will be more appreciative than the child - children aren't that bothered about books that look good, imho, they want something they can read and enjoy. Something like Winnie the Pooh would win on both counts.

Hygellig · 07/09/2015 08:19

One of DH's cousins had a christening a couple of years ago. We bought a book - The Alfie Treasury - for their little girl.

HeighHoghItsBacktoWorkIGo · 07/09/2015 08:25

Steiff teddy bear?
www.steiff.com/en/teddy-bears/

Nice knife and fork from Robert Welch.
www.johnlewis.com/store/robert-welch-norton-children's-cutlery-set/p626102?navAction=jump

Beautifully bound and illustrated Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes.

Children's illustrated Bible (of course.)

Hand made quilt.