173 ideas What to give for a child’s Christening (boy or girl)

It is known that when a child undergoes the baptism procedure, he finally finds his own guardian angel. This ritual is important not only for those who fully believe in God, but also simply for people who occasionally attend church. Therefore, if a person is invited to the baby’s baptism, it means that he is really close to the young family. It is important to choose what to give a girl for christening, so as not to offend either the child or her parents.

Gift ideas

Considering the fact that the rite of baptism is a great sacrament, the gift should be not only appropriate, but also memorable.

From godfather

Traditional christening gifts for a girl from her godfather are a cross and a chain. In addition, in many cities there is an old tradition at churches that the godfather must pay for the baptismal ceremony. Other gifts a man can give include:

• walkers;
• home swing;
• an album for photographs of the baby, made in an unusual style, decorated on a church theme;
• digital photo frame;
• kit for creating casts of legs and arms.

Before purchasing a gift, you can also consult with the parents of the future goddaughter. They may have their own wishes that need to be satisfied.

From godmother

If you receive an offer to become a godmother, do not be afraid. This is an honorary title that places a certain responsibility on a girl, a woman. There are traditional, obligatory gifts from the godmother to the little girl. These include:

• kryzhma;
• baptismal clothes;
• personalized icon purchased from the church.

The following gifts for your goddaughter will be less obligatory, but no less significant:

• quilted warm blanket;
• decorations;
• hand knitted blanket.

All of the above gifts can be supplemented with another surprise - a large cake made from diapers. It is only important to check with the baby’s mother which brand she prefers and what size is needed.

From grandparents

The following gifts can be given from grandparents:

• name icons;
• children's bibles;
• holiday clothing sets;
• playpens;
• educational toys;
• knitted items (if grandma knows how to do needlework);
• boxes of memories;
• gold earrings;
• chain with a cross.

Before purchasing the gift listed last on the list, you should consult with your granddaughter’s parents. Perhaps the godfather has already purchased such a thing, and it will turn out to be completely unnecessary. An original surprise from a grandmother would be to write a letter to her growing granddaughter. Having reached adolescence, the girl will definitely read it with pleasure and interest. In addition, grandma can make a gift with her own hands, for example, knitting a warm hat or blanket. Well, the grandfather definitely has the right to take care of the practical side of his granddaughter’s life by presenting her with a walker, a high chair or even a crib.

From guests

Gifts from guests can be both traditional and original. The best among them are:

• icons depicting the holy face of the baby’s patroness. They can be "dimensional". In ancient times, there was a tradition to order an icon of the same height as the child at the time of baptism. It was believed that she should accompany him throughout his life, wherever he went or moved;
• silver teething spoons - will be an excellent gift option for children who have begun to cut their teeth;
• a set of several dishes made of silver, always marked with a personal engraving;
• silver jewelry;
• a silver box where parents can put their daughter’s first cut lock of hair, the first tooth that falls out;
• toys made to order with personalized engraving;
• bed dress;
• cloth.

From relatives

From relatives it is best to present the niece with such things as:

• universal icons depicting Nicholas the Wonderworker, Jesus Christ;
• gold jewelry for growth;
• educational mats;
• ball pools;
• individual dolls made to order;
• Tolokar.

Before choosing anything from the list, you should consult with the baby’s parents. There may be some things they have, but some they don't have that are urgently needed. Relatives may well offer their assistance in organizing the acquisition of this or that item.

From friends

Original and practical congratulations from friends will be:

• embroidered paintings on church themes;
• metrics;
• soft pillows-letters, characterized by volume;
• coloring mat (suitable for girls aged two years and older).

In addition, you can give something that will be a wonderful interior decoration in a children's room. These options include:

• pillows;
• bumpers for the crib;
• unusual lamps;
• a rug made in the shape of your favorite animal;
• unusual wall clock;
• garland with glowing balls;
• chalk boards (suitable for those over two years old);
• scratch height meter;
• ottoman;
• soft chair-mattress.

When choosing a gift, you should definitely consult with the baby’s parents, calculate your budget, and also determine what would be interesting for the child to receive, based on his age. If the girl is of a conscious age, you can ask her what she would like to receive.

Traditional gifts for a girl's baptism

• It is appropriate for a newborn to buy a silver spoon with Orthodox symbols: a cross, an icon, a prayer, a Guardian Angel. Such a gift will become a valuable souvenir or a practical thing in everyday life: the baby’s first cutlery.
• For a girl from 1 year old, as a reminder of the Sacrament of Baptism, you can give bright puzzles and panels with Orthodox images, educational games, an angel doll, good children's books with meaning.
• For a teenage girl at Christening, it is better to choose gifts with a deep religious meaning, for example, spiritual literature, an Orthodox board game or a pilgrimage trip to Holy Places.

Is it possible to give money for a child’s christening?

If, when deciding what to give a girl for her Baptism, you are afraid of not being pleased with the gift, then you can present an envelope with money. Any amount will be useful to the baby’s parents, and they will definitely find the right use for it. Godparents and relatives are allowed to provide financial assistance in organizing the Christening celebration. According to tradition, the godfather makes a donation for the rite of Baptism, and can also pay for photo and video shooting in the temple as a gift.

Church themed gifts

Very traditional christening gifts are those that are purchased at church or at least somehow related to church themes.

Orthodox icons

The icon is usually presented with the face of the saint whose name the girl was named during baptism. You can also present an image of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary. An excellent memorable gift would be the icon of Cosmas and Daniel, which is one of the most important in churches where children are baptized.

In order to protect the baby from diseases, you can give her an icon of St. Panteleimon. Before choosing such a gift, it is important to consult with the priest who will perform the baptism ceremony. He will not only be able to tell you which icon to choose, but will also tell you about its history and how it will be useful to the baby. The donor will be able to pass this information along with the gift to her parents.

Spiritual books

Spiritual books are usually given not to newborn babies for baptism, but to those who are already older. The godmother and godfather must take care of the spiritual development of the child, and therefore they may well give a Psalter or a children's Bible. An ordinary Bible would also be useful in an Orthodox believing family.

Christening decorations

Among jewelry, preference should be given to silver items. This is if we are talking about family acquaintances and people not close to her. Before buying a cross with a chain, you should ask your parents if your baby has a similar item. Earrings that the girl can wear in the future, as well as a bracelet for growth or a ring “Save and Preserve” would be useful.

How to choose the right church gifts?

When choosing church-themed gifts, there are several things to consider. Among them are:

• how religious the family is and whether the ceremony is done at their own request or because “it’s the right way”;
• parents’ attitude towards such gifts.

If, however, the choice falls on things that are sold in church parishes, it is best to consult with a clergyman on what to choose. He will be able to tell which of the things will actually protect the child from evil eyes, and which will help protect himself from illnesses and other misfortunes in the future.

Useful gifts

• It was very fortunate when the present turned out to be not only original, but also useful. Such gifts can be divided into two groups:
• Developmental - such gifts will be interesting to the baby and will help, using his curiosity as a motivator, to develop the necessary physical or mental qualities. Such gifts include:
• a table on which there are many educational games that will help the child learn to distinguish objects by shape, size and color, and will also develop logical thinking, coordination of movements and perseverance;
• rugs with musical accompaniment that will help the child develop a sense of rhythm, hearing and coordination of movements. Currently, stores offer a large selection of such gifts, with many coloring and sound options for both boys and girls;
• floor mats made in the form of puzzles develop children's motor skills, logical thinking and attention. In addition, children will be able to learn letters and numbers in a relaxed, playful atmosphere. This gift is not only an educational toy, but will also decorate a child’s room and will prevent the baby from developing flat feet or foot deformities;
• Bizidom is a modern educational gift that will not leave any child indifferent. The bright and colorful design will attract children's attention, and the many games installed on the house will help develop fine motor skills, coordination, logical thinking and perseverance, as well as learn numbers and letters;
• a development center is a gift that is represented by many options both for the materials from which it is made and for the educational games with which it is filled. In most cases, one of the sides of such a center is a drawing board, while the other side contains a children's clock, the alphabet, fascinating labyrinths, and so on;
• musical instruments are a gift that will contribute to the development of a child’s creative abilities. There are a great many options for such a gift and they can be given either one at a time or in whole sets;
• Construction sets are a gift that develops a child’s logical thinking, imagination and hand-eye coordination. It is important to remember that a construction set purchased as a gift for a baby must contain fairly large parts made from environmentally friendly materials;
• Interactive educational books - large colorful pictures and interesting voice acting will interest and captivate the child. Such a gift will help develop perseverance in the baby, learn a lot of new things and learn letters.
• Practical - such gifts will most likely please the baby’s parents and help them in everyday life. Such gifts include:
• a pillow or mattress with orthopedic properties - any parents will be happy with such a gift, as it will help the baby improve sleep and develop correct posture. This gift can be decorated with commemorative embroidery;
• a blanket or bath towel made from natural materials - this gift will be useful in every home, in addition, it can be decorated with a print in the form of a family photo or complemented with embroidery made by yourself;
• clothes or shoes - children grow very quickly and therefore parents will always be happy with such a gift that is not only practical, but also fashionable. The only difficulty when purchasing this gift will be choosing the right size. It is worth remembering that for children it is worth buying clothes made from natural materials;
• bathing and hygiene sets – currently there are a large number of gift sets on the market, which include children’s toothbrushes, fruit toothpastes, as well as shampoos and oils for babies. When purchasing such a gift, you should pay attention to the manufacturer, who should have positive reviews;
• sets of children's dishes - depending on the age of the child, such sets may include bottles, pacifiers, plates with prints of fairy-tale characters, and so on. As when choosing any gift for a child, you need to pay special attention to the materials from which the dishes are made.

Handmade gifts

Handmade gifts will also be relevant on christening day. The best of them are:

• embroidered paintings (it is advisable that they depict a girl and indicate her date of birth and date of baptism);
• bumpers for the crib (a very popular gift lately, which is not difficult to make);
• toys with metrics;
• double-sided blankets;
• cocoon for babies;
• a doll made from a photograph of a baby;
• photo albums where you can add important notes about the baby’s first year of life.

Gifts that should not be given to a child for baptism

There are gifts that should not be given at baptism. It is necessary to take into account the age of the baby and the specifics of this special day. Such gifts include:

• soft toys - with such a gift it is impossible to perform various actions that a baby really needs at this age;
• complex technical toys - a child will not be able to use such a gift at such a young age, and it will end up on the far shelf;
• gifts made using materials that do not have environmental certificates may be harmful to children;
• toys consisting of small elements should not be given to children, as the baby may choke;
• toys that make too loud sounds can frighten the baby and disturb his parents.

Choosing a gift is not always an easy task, as you want it to be special and memorable. It is important to remember that baptism is a spiritual holiday and the gift should correspond to it, and if in addition to this you put warm feelings into it, then it will certainly please both the baby and his parents.

What is most often given to girls at christening?

Almost all possible gifts that are presented on christening day have already been listed. However, all the above lists can be supplemented.

Traditional gifts

Traditional gift options include:

• beautiful nightgown, pajamas;
• silver candlestick for a church candle;
• beautiful dress;
• silver bracelet with a small cross.

Popular options

Among the popular gift options on christening day, the best gifts are:

• baby seat;
• rocking chair;
• playpen;
• Chair for babies;
• inflatable swimming pool;
• toys by age;
• books by age.

Useful ideas

Some useful ideas include the following:

• a cake made to order (such a gift should be discussed in advance with the girl’s parents so that they do not have time to order it themselves);
• certificate for a photo shoot of the baby with her parents;
• set of towels;
• bedding sets;
• bottle sterilizer (if the baby is bottle-fed);
• a set of rattles;
• set for bathing in the bathroom.

What is customary to give children from their godparents?

The sacrament of christening places important responsibilities on godparents. During the ritual, they seem to renounce everything sinful and make a promise before people and God that they will support the little one on his path and help him gain faith, as well as protect him from evil intent and various temptations.

Godparents are a kind of spiritual mentors and guides who help mom and dad raise a child as a worthy person with clear moral guidelines. In this regard, both the gifts of the godmother and father should be aimed at the spiritual development of the godson.

The traditional baptism package includes:

• baptismal suit - a white shirt or dress, as a symbol of the purity of a young soul, panties or tights, a headdress - a neat hat or scarf;
• kryzhma is a white towel in which a child is wrapped after he has been sprinkled or removed from the font;
• the pectoral cross is a symbol of faith and protection;
• an icon with the face of the patron saint after whom the boy or girl is named.

Traditional christening set
According to traditions, godparents can give a child a silver spoon with church symbols or the baby’s name at christening. This gift is a souvenir, at first the parents keep it as a treasure, and then use it to feed the child.

Children over one year old can be given educational toys, books, mosaics, panels, a doll in the form of an angel. Teenagers need to choose a gift with meaning - it could be the Bible, spiritual literature, books on psychology and self-development. If the family is a believer, the girl or guy is given a biography of a saint or a pilgrimage trip to sacred places.

Is it worth giving money?

Many people wonder whether a gift such as money for a girl would be appropriate for a christening. Naturally, yes. Parents, having received a certain amount in their hands, will be able to purchase for the baby what they consider necessary. In addition, there is no need to worry about the amount being exorbitant.

Sometimes a small gift and an envelope with money is enough to please your relatives and friends who have a wonderful baby growing up. The average amount given for christenings ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles. Naturally, everything depends on the capabilities of the donor, his financial situation, and region of residence. You shouldn’t give away your last money, it’s unlikely to please the baby’s parents.

How to choose an icon for a christening?

Once upon a time, on the day of baptism, the named parents presented the child with a measured icon with the namesake patron, which they had ordered in advance from icon painters. It was measured because its size was equal to the height of its godson.

After the consecration, the icon was placed at the child’s cradle. If there is no opportunity to give such an icon now, you can buy an icon of the patron saint in a church shop. You can choose an icon with a guardian angel or one of the most revered saints, and give the girl the face of the Virgin Mary.

How to choose a christening icon

It is better if the godfather and mother agree on how they will distribute gifts and responsibilities among themselves. In this case, there will be no annoying repetitions of attributes, and traditions will be respected.

What to give an adult woman for christening?

Adults who have decided that they will undergo the rite of baptism usually do not talk about it. Celebrations such as the christening of children are not held and, naturally, guests are not invited. However, if one of the girls you know decided to be baptized and indicated the date of this event, it is quite possible to congratulate the person by presenting him with an icon, spiritual books, a crucifix, a cross, a container for holy water, candlesticks, CDs with audio recordings of church scriptures or audio books. Naturally, when celebrating this event, money will be an excellent option for congratulations.

What to give to invited guests

In addition to godparents, relatives and family friends are often present at the sacrament ceremony. It is not at all necessary to give every guest an expensive gift, but you can please them with small trinkets that will be a reminder of the event.

Relatives

An original idea would be to prepare the same memorable souvenirs for all close relatives. You can order inexpensive pendants with an engraving of the date of the event; guests will also be pleased with napkins with embroidered names, which are made to order.

If finances are limited, then they make memorial cards for each guest, in which wishes and words from the Bible are written.

Friends

As a rule, friends invited to the sacrament of baptism themselves bring gifts for the baby. However, you can reciprocate the gesture and please them on this day. The following gifts are prepared for guests:

1. Mugs with the recipient's name.
2. Church candles.
3. Small keychains with engraving of the date of the event.
4. Small angel figures.

Gifting gifts to guests is not a mandatory ritual at a child's Baptism ceremony, but it will demonstrate the parents' gratitude for their friends visiting. When choosing ideas for gifts, first of all, they are guided by their own financial capabilities.

What should you not give?

In principle, baptism is such a day that any gifts are accepted with gratitude. The only thing that the etiquette of congratulating on such an event requires is to find out in advance in detail what gifts other invitees will present. It is unlikely that the baby’s parents will be happy with two identical silver spoons or Bibles. If you have any doubts when choosing a gift, you should also consult with them. When choosing a gift, it is important to remember that it must be made from the heart, with pure thoughts and heart. Otherwise, the baby will not benefit from it.

Gift options from grandparents

Grandparents usually give their grandchildren memorable, high-quality and expensive gifts. These are the people who are aware of the needs of a young family and often do not need advice regarding choosing a gift. And yet, we have prepared a small list of items that grandparents often give to their grandchildren.

• A silver teaspoon “for the first tooth” with an engraved date of baptism and the name of the granddaughter. It is believed that silver brings health and prosperity to its owner, so silver accessories are a fairly popular christening gift for children.
• A small pillow with an embroidered granddaughter’s name and an angel, which the grandmother made with her own hands.
• A knitted or plush blanket for a baby that can be used to cover herself both in a cradle and in a stroller during a walk.

• Wooden baby sling beads - as an addition to the main gift. This is such an unusual “mom’s” accessory that can distract the baby in a long line, in public transport or on a long walk. Instead of pulling mom's hair or being capricious, the baby will finger the bright beads with her fingers. They can even be chewed when teething.
• A precious chain to a cross will serve as a good memory for a girl who has matured over the years about her dear donors.
• Miniature gold or silver earrings. A traditional gift and, most likely, this is the very first jewel of the little princess.
• A gold or silver evil eye pin is an elegant jewelry accessory designed to protect a person from the evil eye. This memorable souvenir, donated by her grandparents, will protect the girl throughout her life.

Gifts for godparents for christening: selection for godmother and godfather | Holiday for everyone

The date of baptism is considered the child's second birthday. The little person becomes involved in the church and acquires a guardian angel.

The child’s parents must seriously approach the choice of godfathers, because they will make a vow before God to become the spiritual mentors of the godson.

Should christening gifts be given to godparents? This question worries concerned mothers and fathers who want to do everything in accordance with Orthodox traditions.

Do you need a gift?

It is not the responsibility of the child’s natural parents to give a gift, but of course you will want to thank the spiritual father and mother.

The godfathers are placed under a serious burden, both moral and material. Spiritual mentors buy the baby a pectoral cross, kryzhma, baptismal clothes, and other church paraphernalia.

The godfather also pays for the ceremony and helps organize the festive table.

But the financial side is the most important thing in baptism, because godmothers seriously prepare for the role of recipients: they attend interviews in church, fast and receive communion, and receive instructions from the priest. Naturally, parents want to please people who have taken on serious responsibility and will be responsible for the child before God.

With their gift, mom and dad will demonstrate to the godparents that they value their willingness to take part in the moral and spiritual education of the baby. A young family has new close relatives. Even a symbolic souvenir will remind you of the joyful day of the baby’s baptism.

Some people, according to family tradition, give an expensive gift for baptism, but this is not at all necessary. Even a small souvenir or item associated with an important event will delight the second parents. The most important thing is to present the item with an open soul and pure thoughts.

Several reasons why it is better to please new family members:

1. Gratitude to people who consciously decided to become spiritual mentors for a child.
2. The gift will demonstrate that from now on you consider your godfathers to be members of your family.
3. This is a kind of wish for health, happiness, good luck. It is believed that any items given on the day of baptism are amulets. This applies not only to surprises for the child, but also to items that the parents will present with a pure heart to the godmother and father.
4. The mentality of the Russian people involves giving gifts for any reason or just because. On the bright holiday of baptism, I want to please new relatives who will become second parents for the child.

What to give to godparents for christening?

When choosing, pay attention to symbolic things, since godfathers are probably believers, they will be pleased to receive something thematic. There are also many options for useful and pleasant gifts, especially if you know your godfathers well, their interests, hobbies, and lifestyle.

What is usually given to godparents:

• Icon. An unusual gift would be a handmade piece, painted with beads or silk threads. Believers will be delighted by the icon with the Holy Trinity, the image of the Savior Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, and the Guardian Angel.
• Prayer book. Every person should have a collection of prayers for all occasions, which he will read in moments of despair or joy. Of course, believers have a prayer book, but you can present a work made to order by craftsmen, with a title page decorated with beads, or bound in wood.

A homemade card made using the scrapbooking technique will make the surprise even more heartwarming and symbolic.

• Bible. A suitable gift that matches a big occasion.
• Napkins with personalized embroidery. They can be used during the baptism process: it is more convenient to hold a baptismal candle on a napkin.
• Ladanka. Give small images of the saints in honor of whom they received their baptismal names (you need to find out this information in advance in order to buy suitable incense). They are usually worn with a cross on the body and are never removed.

In addition to traditional options, there are many more useful and beautiful things:

• kitchen textiles with embroidery;
• Bath towels;
• bedding set;
• souvenir medals, certificates, cups;
• caskets;
• angel figurines;

• tea or coffee pairs with a photo of the godson;
• a set of handmade soaps or candles;
• photo album;
• curly gingerbread;
• original photo frames;
• set of glasses with engraving;
• bath accessories;
• unusual piggy banks;
• hobby items;
• porcelain set for the bathroom;
• sofa cushions with embroidery.

From godfather

Before the ritual, the godfather gives his godson or goddaughter a pectoral cross, which the clergyman puts on the baby at the end of the ritual. It can be gold, silver, metal or wood, the most important thing is that it is pre-consecrated.

Traditionally, a cross is given with a chain, but you need to understand that on a baby’s delicate skin it will be better to wear a cotton rope of a suitable and safe size. You can crochet such a strong thread yourself using a simple technique.

Another contribution of the godfather is to make a donation for performing the sacrament in the church and to give the godson some significant thing that appeals to the child’s soul and contributes to the development of his skills. This can be a religious book if the family is a believer, any other educational literature, a high-quality wooden toy, clothing or educational games, as well as a souvenir item that will be cherished first by the parents, and then by the child himself.

Gift from godfather

Gift from godmother

At the boy’s christening, the mother can give the godson a set of kizhma and a baptismal shirt, having previously asked the mother for the sizes. On white fabric, you can embroider lace patterns with your own hands using gold or blue threads. Usually crosses, angels, birds, floral patterns are depicted, the name of the child and the date of christening are embroidered.

In the baptism ceremony of a girl, the godmother presides - she holds the baby in her arms throughout the ceremony. In addition to the traditional set of white clothes, the godmother can give the girl things that symbolize their spiritual connection. This could be an icon with the Mother of God, a prayer book, a cross or pendant, candles, a children's Bible with bright illustrations, any philosophical parables and good fairy tales.

Of course, the baby will not understand the content of the Holy Scriptures or fairy tales, but as his mother and father grow up, he will introduce the child to the gift, and this will be the beginning of his introduction to the spiritual life.

Gift from godmother