Invited to Christening in a couple of weeks ....ideas for present please!

[babycat]

I've never been to a Christening before but have been invited by a mum I met at a baby group when my DD was tiny (she's now nearly 2 as is this mum's first child). The Christening is for her second child who is 6 months old. I've no idea what to buy for a Christening gift. We meet up regularly but are not that close IYKWIM so I don't want to spend too much but don't want to get something that looks really naff . Help! I really need to get something this week .

Picture frame, nice book that she will keep,

please don't get a naff silver picture frame or anything keepsake in silver

a lovely hardback book would be my choice

Buy something for the child that she can use now or in the near future, like a good book. Under no circumstances buy anything silver plated, baby themed and especially no "First tooth" etc keepsake boxes. The parents will already be getting shedloads and they are fairly pointless. We have enough silver plated boxes to store every single one of DS milk teeth in a separate box

I did see some silver picture frames in a shop today and although the mum has loads of photos and pictures in her house I just couldn't see her appreciating the silver frames that I saw. Suggestions for books?

TheProvincialLady just saw your post, I'm a slow typer. That's exactly what I was thinking!

Decent fairy tales, aesop fables I loved, The Velveteen Rabbit winnie the Pooh, Tales from a RIver Bank

Mybe older editions if you can find a good second hand bookshop

I would get something like a book that's a collection of stories to read aloud or a beatrix potter book or aa milne - real classic stuff for a christening present.

Narnia books? Bible (Lion first Bible or simialr is nice)

couple of wineglasses in box

tbh, we were much more bothered about people being there than presents, so any book that you think the parents would appreciate is a good choice - a classic maybe if you would prefer not to get a Bible or similar

i am going to my first christening as well in a few weeks - are gifts expected??

i'm not religious and dont know anything about these, but wouldn't the gifts need some kind of religious theme?

sorry for the mini-hijack, but i am also thinking of something to get and thought it had to be cross/bible related.

Perhaps, The Hutchinson's Treasury of Fairy Tales? Can get it for about £15 and then put book plate thingy inside? Keep all your suggestions comig but I think we may be onto something!

You can often get niced books like 'The Gruffalo' or 'We're Going on a bear hunt' in a special edition with a soft toy - look on the book people website for special offers.

I gave my nephew a bottle of port which will be opened on his 18th birthday only 18 months to go

I gave this as a gift earlier this year
Service was great and it came wrapped up in tissue paper.

babycat - Hutchinson collections are fab - we have a poetry one and stories to read aloud and it's the only book we take on holiday with us as there's so much in it.

babyOcho glad I'm not alone in this being my first Christening! I'm not even sure what to wear - I was thinking of getting a new formal dress?

babyocho - I think relatives tend to go with the child's first bible so I go for a card with a church on and an ordinary book!

i've just posted something on what to wear as well

Can i wear black?? I am BFing still so need something practical as well.

depends on the church as to how formal, our church is pretty informal but wear what you will feel comfortable in.

babyocho - gifts are often 'religious' butuare not (in my case anyway) expected. I just wanted people to come and celebrate with us. Godparents often buy Bibles etc., a nice hardback book would be appropriate if you wanted to buy a gift.

Pelvicfloornomore, thanks for the link. I've seen those and I quite like them but I think I prefer the book idea at the moment.

babyOcho I've just finished BFing, after 19 months so I'm glad of an excuse to go out and buy something nice that doesn't have to be practical! I'm not going to go for something black as I want to wear it for a wedding the following weekend too!

PandaG I assumed gifts were expected? I don't think I could go without one. I've found a nice card but was stumped for a present!

Most people do bring gifts, but I was much more concerned about people celebrating with us than bringing a present. If you want to take one that is fine. HOw well do you know your friend? does she usually go to church? either way something like Alice in Wonderland or Toad of Toad Hall would be a nice gift - or a good bottle of wine from the year child born to be opened when 18/21 can be a nice present(obv a bottle that will improve with age)

my frist piggy bank in pink or blue