christening gift

verte

Hi all

I have been invited to the Catholic baptism of my friend's baby. I'm Christian myself (not Catholic) and from what friends have told me, money is a standard gift, which I don't feel comfortable with. I wanted to give a children's bible or something that is relevant to the sacrament, which I have been told could be offensive to parents who could see it as interfering. My question is, should I set aside my own objections to this custom of giving money or a secular gift?

Plowman

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verte

Thanks for your advice. They are not practising from what they themselves have told me.

hdowney

i personally think it wrong that the various sacrament ceremonies have become more about how much money can you get, rather than the sacrament itself.

there are people who are religious and it means a lot to them. then there are people who are not, and do it just cos it is the done thing, and they get money out of it. this annoys me. if you do not practice the religion, then do not take your child through the sacraments just because, and certainly not to make money.

so i think the children's bible or some such similar gift is lovely

verte

Thanks hdowney. I think I will go with a gift instead of money. I'll be on the lookout for an age appropriate bible. I won't go into my own views on baptism but I appreciate your opinion on it.

georgieporgy

There is no obligation to bring a gift. Certainly not money unless you are perhaps a wealthy close relative ( and even then it would be stupid).

Just bring a card. (there are 'happy baptism' cards!) or some religious token like you suggested yourself.

I've been to many baptisms and never bring anything (even where I have been godfather). Baptism itself is the gift.