AIBU not to buy presents for my DC's godparents?

[theconstantinoplegardener]

Inspired by another thread (but not a TAAT).

My DC were all given Christmas presents by their lovely godparents. Some of the godparents are siblings of DH or me. We don't buy presents for these godparents, but we do buy for their DC, just as we do for our siblings who aren't godparents.

A couple of my DC have godparents who are family friends, but not related to us. They have not yet had their own children. They buy gifts for my DC (their godchildren) for birthdays and Christmas. It's never occurred to me to buy anything for them, but after reading the above-mentioned thread, I'm wondering if I should.

AIBU?

It's interesting to read the range of different opinions that people have! Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts on this. I think it might seem strange to suddenly start gifting the DC's godparents every birthday and Christmas when we havent done so before, but I will help my DC choose small gifts for them from time to time...chocolates, houseplants as PP suggested. The school photo is a lovely idea too.

If you are the sort of person who gives out small Christmas gifts to a number of adults in your life, then your DCs' godparents probably ought to be amoung them if the role has ongoing significance to you all - which it does if they are buying their godchild presents. If you aren't, then I don't think most adults would expect (or, perhaps, even welcome) a token gift for the sake of reciprocation.

I'm not a godparent but an honorary aunt to my best friends kids.

I buy presents for the kids Christmas, birthday, Easter and while one friend gives me a present from her boys, I don't even get a thank you from the other.

However, I don't even really want a present in return I would be so happy to get a card the kids have 'written'. This is the sort of thing that means a lot to me and I cherish.

We have several Godchildren, and a few unofficial ones who decided they wanted us to be their unofficial Godparents! We have never expected presents from any of them or from their parents. Now some are grown up we get presents from them (and we still give them) it’s really special , because it comes from them. We get school photos from the parents of the youngest. We don’t give to receive, but appreciate it when we are given something from the heart! We stop giving presents when they reach 21 (we give a little sum of money for their 21st), unless we are very close to them.

I think getting a small present for your childfree friends would be appropriate, from your DCs.

Your question has really made me think OP. My husband is god father to his best friend's children. We have chosen to remain childfree and, to my knowledge, he has never even had a birthday from the parents or children. I just rummaged through the Christmas cards and realised we didn't get one from them again this year, and yet I make an effort to remember all of their birthdays and ensure we send a thoughtful gift for the children every year......I may rethink how generous we are. This realisation has made me feel quite sad for him.

Of course you should buy them gifts. You chose them as god parents, you have responsibilities to them too.

@jellytot24 i would just send selection boxes or just cards. They are very ungrateful.

I just talked about this with my bff. We don't know anyone that gets presents from their godchildren but it is a bit odd that godparents bring gifts twice a year and there is no reciprocating. I also think buying for kids is not a good replacement unless that has been agreed.

I don't think a present is a necessity but a token chocolates etc. would be nice at christmas.

However, I don't even really want a present in return I would be so happy to get a card the kids have 'written'. This is the sort of thing that means a lot to me and I cherish.

This ^ and school photos.