Christening

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My daughter has asked to be christened.

Great, I'm very proud of her. We didn't get her christened when she was a lot younger as her dad refused.

We are no longer together and to be honest I am not overly religious. However we've been going to church and are both really enjoying it.

She is getting christened soon and it's a small event, just a meal afterwards.

Are you supposed to buy your god parents a gift? I'd like to as it's a nice gesture for something they are doing for my daughter.

What are the traditional gifts you would usually buy for god parents?

Obviously I will donate to the church also but what is an appropriate amount?

Do I buy the vicar something also to say thank you for welcoming us and for the ceremony?

As I said i am new to this and what's the done thing.

No, you don't buy the GodParents a gift - more traditionally they would give your dc a gift

So there is no 'traditional gift' as it is not a tradition. I mean, obviously anyone can get a friend of theirs a gift at anytime for no reason, I'm not telling you not to, but there would not be an expectation.

In my Church, all Christenings are done within the normal Sunday morning service. We never charge anyone for that. Of course, people can put what they want to in the collection plate and that is truely up to any individual.
It might be there is a charge in some Churches where they have a separate service in the afternoon or on a Saturday even (after all you are then paying for people's time, not just the celebrant but the organist, cleaner, steward, etc). But they would have told you that upfront if there were, I should imagine.

I mean my thinking would be that if I were happy / expecting to pay out for a meal or pay to hire a room for a party or gathering, or generally in a position to be able to afford to pay for services I use in life, then I would also make a reasonable donation to the Church for "being there" when I wanted to use it. So, if I had the money then I would want to make a generous donation, as I know the Church members have to raise funds all year round to keep the building running....utilities are going up for them as well, as does insurance, water, building repairs, things like toilet paper, soap, cleaners wages, flowers they use to make it look nice, etc etc etc. But it is down to your budget and to your conscience.

No, you do not need to buy the Vicar anything - it is part of their job. Obviously, if you feel it is the case, a letter / e-mail / card afterwards thanking them for the warm welcome / lovely service / touching sermon / whatever it was that made it special is always appreciated. However, you are not expected to get them anything.

Thank you. That's very useful. Will make a donation to the church and get our vicar a nice card and some nice biscuits.