Probably a silly question, but do people buy presents for christenings?

[iwouldgoouttonight]

I've never been to one before and don't know of anyone who has so unsure of the present buying etiquette! Do just the godparents/family buy presents or is it like a wedding where everyone tends to buy something?

If I did get something I was thinking of a set of books, something like this or a wooden toy or something?

What do you think?

it is traditional to buy silver baby presents for christenings. But there's a limit to the amount of silver tooth boxes a person can have!

I think the books on your link are a lovely idea.

We were given some funky silver picture frames (going w the silver theme), but got everything from giant jellycat animals to clothes to books. I think people are moving away from the traditionalist silver spoon stuff.............

etiquette does seem to be for all guests to buy presents. I think books or toys are perfectly acceptable - there's surely a limit to how much silver stuff a family need!

Yes, unless you're my tight-arsed skinflint brother.

Yeah, ds was christened on sunday and he got about 6 money boxes, a very expensive rattle, some books, some clothes and £115

Those books look lovely. Dd was given a first edition WTP book (by her very wealthy godmother!) at her Christening. Needless to say it's now somwehere very safe, but she'll appreciate it when she's older.

Loads of people do the silver tooth box etc thing. Yours is a lovely idea

I've never understood the silver rattle thing - what do you do with them? Put them in a cupboard until they tarnish.......?!

Go for something traditional. I hate that people these days seem to expect toys and money. If you are religious yourself, maybe a bible stories book, or little cross necklace, mass book or something. If not, a nice shawl, or trditional toy/book (something good taste really - not a noisy woo woo plastic thing!).

my ds was chirstened last year and had a huge selection of gifts money box's rattle dummy tooth and curl boxes all silver. All of which are still in there boxes lol. but he also recieved a rocker, a few other toys clothes, some money and plate bowl cup sets with cutlery. Which i thought was different but very handy.

we buy books - nicely-bound and -illustrated classics (Pooh, ALice, Just So Stories, Arabian Nights etc) on the grounds that godparents etc will have cornered the bible / cross market

don;t buy moneyboxes - once child I know got nine.

wo got an invite say money only please !!!!!

Thanks everyone for your help - I think I'll get some books. at schmoopoo's invite saying money only!!!

I'm making a traditional abc sampler (cross stitch) with a noah's ark theme for my God daughter.

We generally buy silver cufflinks for boys and silver cross necklaces for the girls. I will get my son's intials put on them for his 18th/21st birthday if he would like.
We do this so they have something to use when they are older. I wear my silver heart bought for me by my Auntie 32 years ago.

I bought a good friend's daughter a children's book of Bible stories. I was the only one to buy anything remotely religious but the service is about welcoming the baby to Christianity isn't it?