Christening Present?

[creativezen]

Hello ladies, I am going to a christening next weekend and I would appreciate some advice about what to buy as a present for them.

I've been looking in the shops, seen lots of cute little thomas the tank dinner sets or "my first tooth box" type things, but I just cant help thinking they will get loads of things like that.

Its for a wee boy by the way, and we will probably spend £20-£30. Does that seem like an ok amount to spend?

Its the first one I have been to and I have no idea what sort of things people normally give!

[Bikerqueen]

we are famous for having a bit of a thing for ducks (we sponsor one, have a shower curtain covered in rubber ducks, and about 20 in the bathroom) so for a christening we are going to we've bought a silver money box in the shape of a rubber duck, that way it's personal to us but still christening-y iyswim.

I've also painted a ceramic plate for my nephew when he was christened, from glaze-to-amaze, that went down quite well and was pretty personal

[emsie]

How about something like this?

http://www.borngifted.co.uk/baby-gifts/product/~category_id=PEWTER_CHRISTENING/~product_id=BG-225

I recently got this 'treasure' for a christening gift,

http://www.borngifted.co.uk/baby-gifts/product/~category_id=PEWTER_CHRISTENING/~product_id=BG-495

[chuckle_monster]

I have bought two peoples LOs nice height charts, sounds silly but they've really liked them and used them for years and now keep and treasure all the little scribled lines going up it :lurve:

[She-Ra]

Personally I would steer clear of anything silver, or bowl sets etc as they are bound to get tons....

I'll put my thinking cap on for some original pressies!

[Ladyluck]

We had Joe christened back in Feb and the gifts I really liked were the books he was bought, like treasurys and his Godmother bought him a personalised book (which is really fab) from www.storybookstars.co.uk (http://www.storybookstars.co.uk) which has him included in Three Little Pigs - a brilliant present for him I thought!

[noo noo]

cufflinks or if scottish a kilt pin

[Mrs B]

I would have to say that cash may be better. I'm not normally in favour of cash as presents, but they are likely to be given quite a few keepsake items by family, and to be honest I think most of them are a total waste of money. I have a drawer of silver cups, tiny bracelets, silver spoons etc that I got for my christening, and none are ever used or appreciated. Sorry if that sounds harsh!

For my LO's recent dedication, most people asked what we wanted for him; everyone was happy to contribute to his bank account, as that will be held for him when he's 18, for education/house deposit etc. Far more useful than trinkets.

And that seems like a good amount to me btw.

[She-Ra]

Ok some ideas...

top
http://www.noaddedsugar.co.uk/clothes/baby_t_shirts/PIRATE-S.html

height chart as suggested by chuckle

http://www.childrensalon.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=6857&osCsid=8757e38befd1102bf833f29b5f13ee2e

How about a couple of baby einstein DVDs????


Personalised cutlery...

http://www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk/product.aspx?CategoryID=MM_Practical_Top&ProductID=6865&language=en-GB

Personalised taggie....

http://www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk/product.aspx?CategoryID=n_for_baby&ProductID=81352_81353&language=en-GB

I think Gap PJ's or White Company PJ's are nice, and make a good gift.

Lola got a 12-18m dressing gown from the white company when she was first born.It comes in a lovely box and is something nice to grow into, and he can wear everymorning...

http://www.thewhitecompany.com/department2.aspx?DepGrpCode=CHD&DepCode=SVSB

I'm all out of ideas now :faint:

[creativezen]

Wow thanks She-Ra!

I think I am liking the sound of the height chart myself. I will speak to OH and see what he says.

I have to say money was something that I had thought of too cos like Mrs Buster was saying about trinkets just ending up hidden away, I hate the thought of buying something for someone that they will just hide away. Just seems like such a waste all round.

Thanks again for the suggestions ladies :flowers:

[Mrs B]

Height chart is a great idea too, my Dad actually made us one!

[sersha]

I would avoid trinkety things too and go for a nice, classic book or set of books (Beatrix Potter or A A Milne or something like that.) They are nice things to keep which are special enough and will last a long time, but aren't just things that sit and gather dust on shelves.

[Rosa]

I think one of the best presents to give/ receive are books. A big nursery rhyme book, or a fairy tales one and you can write your message inside and they'll have it forever. My dad recently gave me all my old books from his attic and it was lovely to look at them all again and remember the pictures, and I'll read them to Louis as well.

[Luckyclucky]

We've given either engraved cutlery (figure even if you get a few sets they're still all useful and you just don't have to wash up as much!) or a nice biggish keepsake box (again you kindof can't have too many)

I think the most original present we received was from ds's 'godmother' she gave him (amongst other things) a really nice bottle of port to be laid down til his 18th birthday. I have labelled it so we don't accidentally open it one night while :drinkingbuddies:
:teehee:
LC

PS We've got chickens so we also got a few eggcups in varying designs!

[Rosa]

bottle of port to be laid down til his 18th birthday.


What a lovely idea. I don't think port would last in this house though!! :lol:

[flipflop]

I always give a cheque - I can just imagine lots of little gifty items being put in a drawer to gather dust, which is a shame.

[Amelya]

At our naming ceremonies we asked everyone (if they wanted to bring a gift) to buy the kids a book that was special to them (with an inscription so the kids will know which was from who when they're older). They each got a fantastic selection - both kids and adults books - ranging from Mr Happy to 1984!

Very personal and I think very special.

2 in particular stand out as being perfect for a Christening/Naming. Dr Seus' Oh the Places You'll Go' (we did a reading from this at DDs naming day) and The Little Prince.

[So Happy]

For a Christening we went to the other day we brought a personal label that you stick on to a bottle of wine/champagne.

It had the name of the child, the date of birth etc on it.

We then said that the bottle was to be given to them on their 18 birthday.

[emsie]

Not all silver nik-naks get shoved in a drawer never to be seen again.

I have a silver vase and a silver spoon that were gifts to me when I was christened, the spoon is the first one I will use out of the drawer and I often use the vase.

[Libra]

Billy's Godfather got him a beautiful Beatrix Potter book. He wrote a lovely message in the front of the it. I was quite touched.

My Nan bought a lovely ceramic Winnie the Pooh plate/bowl/mug set, which I thought was fab.

He mainly got money which I have put in the bank for when he's older.

He got a childrens bible from his Nan & Grandad with a message inside. We're not really religious but it's a lovely book with pictures etc for him to keep.

Me and Mr L bought a photo sitting at a local photography studio. It only cost 10GBP - obviously it's going to cost a lot more to buy the photos though, the tenner was just for the sitting.

We had a couple of silver items. Moneyboxes, cutlery, photo frames. They're all useful though and can be kept in his keepsake box when he's older.

Err..... what else?

My friend was recently Godmother to her friends little girl so she bought an embroidery set from Me to You (the grey bear) and embroidered her own picture and writing with the LO's name and christening date on. She then put it in a silver frame. It was lovely and personal.

I bought my niece (and goddaughter) a silver locket for her christening. She loves it now she's 4 and can wear it cause it matches mine!

I still have a silver bracelet that I was bought for my christening day.

[Sonriendo]

I still have a silver bracelet that I was bought for my christening day.

Me too