Christening present ideas please!

[LannaL]

Have got a cluster of Christenings coming up this year, and I really need some inspiration for Christening present ideas. I don't want to be the 5th person to give them a napkin ring or silver spoon!

Have found one brilliant idea, to get a hand-cut silhouette done of the child (www.victoriansilhouettes.com), but I'd rather not give the same thing to everyone, so if anyone's got any ideas in the same vein, they'd be much appreciated!

Nice editions of classic children's books?

The Narnia ones are a good choice, given their Christian allegory; and there are plenty of others if you want a different level of faith (to suit whatever your personal views are).

agree a nice book.

What's your budget? Have got a fruit tree in the past which went down well but depends on whether they have a garden, whether they're there for the long term etc.

My list from things that our dc have received, or we have given....

Children's Bible (Obvious I know, but there are so many varieties - a 'puzzle page' one went down particularly well)
Cufflinks - engraved with initials
Prayer Book
Case of Port (Given to our ds and being held in storage until his 21st )
Silver photo frame
Set of Beatrix Potter Books
Silver Cross on chain
Money Box
Bottle of wine from year of birth
Jewellery box
Premium Bonds

hth

You need something that will last. A bible, engraved cufflinks ... and what about a Quaich? ... it's a two handled bowl (mainly scottish) that is a symbol of friendship - some people also use them as loving cups at weddings. www.christeningsilver.com has a lot of ideas.

Are you Christian? Are they?

We got our friends daughter a mini 'diamond' engagement ring (swarovzski crystal) on a necklace with a little note saying that we look forward to her joining the bride of Christ.

It's big enough that she can probably wear it age 4-8 and then it can go back on the necklace when she's older.

It came stunningly gift wrapped. If I can find the link I'll post it.

Thanks all for all your ideas - brilliant! Budget is medium - can't stretch to anything too extravagant but don't want to scrimp either. We're Christians, and most of the parents having Christenings are (some to a greater and some to a lesser degree!).

Love the idea of the Narnia books - particularly for the little boy's christening we've got coming up. And the case of port also made me chuckle - such a brilliant idea, but I'm not sure our friends would refrain from drinking it themselves! ;)

Books are a great idea, PLEASE don't give a money box... I have just sorted out a box of DS's christening gifts, there are seven, all still boxed, two photo frames, two sets of first tooth/curl boxes, everything imaginable from the tatty teddy christening range. Lovely gifts and not being ungrateful, but they are unlikely to ever see the light of day again

A book however is a lovely idea, or even a gift voucher?

Also gave my niece a single pearl on a necklace in a box with the parable of the 'pearl of great price' and a note that God would give up everything He has, even His only Son, just to get her back.

Agree with Walter that photoframes/money boxes etc are a complete waste of money. By the time DCs are old enough to use them they won't appreciate them unless they are Ben 10 or whatever the latest craze will be.

Someone had a tree planted for our DD in a local wood, now she is 2.5 she loves going for a walk and finding her tree, it is still quite small but it is amazing how much it has grown (just like her) since it was planted. DD has great plans for picnics under her tree this summer.

Blueberryboy, that is lovely, fantastic idea

These guys do really interesting silver christening stuff. A little more cool than the standard like the tooth fairy box www.hersey.co.uk/Silver-Fairy-First-Tooth-Box. personally I love the YoYo. www.hersey.co.uk/Silver-Yoyo-11

LOVE the tree idea - that's brilliant!

And thanks everyone, enough good ideas to sort out all the christenings this year and beyond! :o

Classic hard back books are a good idea, I've done this a few times and also made personalised book plates to go inside to make it slightly more special. The Book People often have very reasonably priced box sets too, Winnie The Pooh or Beatrix Potter.

Another idea, although a bit pricey, are personalised christening stools, Beaver Furniture

Nice charm bracelets here for girl's christenings - Scarlett

angels could be the symbolic christening gift www.christeningideas.co.uk/shop/en/25-christening-gifts

"ideas555" is right. Protective angels and those things... Even when you're not into religion and so :)
www.aljancic.com/en-detail-350915-guardian-angel-miniature-medallion-christening-gif.html

I bought a early years playmobil Noah's Ark recently. I wanted something which would be fun but last a while, and it still has a religious connection.

@iloveshoes001 i agree about hersey.co.uk - i keep returning to them for christening gifts as they're such great value and everything is engravable. i personally love the penny necklaces from a chosen year www.hersey.co.uk/lucky-penny-pendant and the st christopher pendants www.hersey.co.uk/silver-round-st-christopher-pendant-540

The best gift my dd was given was a relatively inexpensive one -Stories Jesus Told, by Nick Butterworth (or maybe he's the illustrator?). Now she's 4, she absolutely loves it, as do the children in lots of Christian families I know (I keep telling everyone to buy it!)

Oh, sorry, just realised the thread had been bumped!

Hey, yep I agree christening gifts can be tricky... I always suggest going with something parents and child are definitely going to use or something sentimental...
If you're really close to the family i.e. God parent then you could offer to buy the Christening Dress yourself.. parents traditionally keep that for a long time so that makes sense.. although you would have to know there preferential style I guess.. try M&S as well though.. I remember they had a whole section on baby gift ideas if I recall correctly... but maybe continue thinking outside the box... I think the silhouette idea seems cool! Good luck:)
Aliana