Christening gift guide and ideas: 10 personalised christening gifts
Christenings are a time of joy for not just the new parents but also their wider families and friends. And whether you’ve chosen to be a godparent or are just attending the event to celebrate the naming of the newborn, choosing the perfect gift can be tricky.
We’ve produced a full christening gift guide full of great ideas plus some guidance on christening gift etiquette in the UK.
Christening gift etiquette in the UK
Not everyone gets to attend a christening, so you might be unaware of any etiquette around christening gift giving. But we can help with our quick guide covering who should be bringing gifts to a christening, what types of gifts to consider and a rough budget for your christening present.
Who buys christening gifts?
The most important people at the christening – after the baby, of course – are the soon to be godparents. This means if you’ve had the honour of being named a godparent or godfather, then you’ll need to bring a christening gift.
If you’re invited to the christening – whether that’s the actual church ceremony or the gathering afterwards – it’s nice to bring some form of small gift. Though there’s no assumption that you would bring a present.
What is an appropriate gift for christening?
For godparents, it’s nice to gift something that has a personal angle. That could be something with the date of birth and the baby’s first name engraved or a gift with a photo of the baby on it.
Traditionally, christening gifts would have been silver but these days such present could be anything from wooden gifts to soft toys.
How much to spend on christening gift?
Your budget for a christening gift depends on your role in the ceremony and closeness to the family.
- Godparent: We’d suggest a budget of £20-£50.
- Family member: If you’re the uncle or aunt of the newborn, we’d suggest around the £20 mark.
- Friends: For those who are just friends of the parents, a most modest budget of £10-£20 is suitable.
What to engrave on christening gift
To keep it simple, we’d suggest engraving the baby’s first name and either the date of birth or the date of christening. Usually, christening gifts only have the first name as this is the focus of the christening event.
Other details you might want engraved on a christening gift include:
- Location of christening, such as the church.
- A short message
When to give your christening gift
You usually give the christening gift after the event at the reception. If you’re only attending the church service and not able to go to the after event, then it’s customary to send the gift direct to the parents either before or after the day.
How much money to give for a christening gift in the UK?
If you don’t want to give a gift but prefer to give money to go into the child’s savings, then we would suggest budgeting the same amount as you would for a gift. Think of it like a birthday present and use that as your rough guide – so around £10 to £50 depending on your relationship to the child and their family.
Christening gift ideas
Here are our favourite personalised christening gifts for all occasions:
Personalised christening gift ideas
Best seller: Personalised Child's Wooden Christening Stool with Engraved Design
Our wooden stools are hugely popular – and with good reason. They’re both cute and useful. And trust use, when toilet training arrives, these are a godsend. Add name, dates and a message to your personalised christening stool.
Price: £32.95
This kids’ bench offers slightly less personalisation options but is also a more affordable christening gift. Chose from race car, flowers or safari designs and then add their name.
Price: £24.95
Personalised Name & Initial New Baby White Wooden Keepsake Memory Box
This lovely baby memory box is perfect for storing your little one's precious memories. It makes an wonderful present for new parents and can even be customised for an extra special personal touch. The sturdy wooden box is made from white painted solid pine wood with high quality metal hinges and an elegant clasp to seal the box.
Small christening gifts
Best on a budget: Personalised printed photo credit card
If you want to get a personal gift but are shopping on a budget, then these photo cards are great gift ,allowing new parents to keep a picture of their little one in their wallets at all time.
Price: £4.95