Christening Gift

The Lovely Muffin

Hi all,

My cousin is having her daughter Christened in about six weeks and myself and my boyfriend are stuck on what to get her for a gift.

I had thought of prize bonds, a voucher for a professional photography session, maybe getting her hand-prints/foot-prints in pottery or something, but it'd mean having to take her out for a few hours/full day and as she is being breast fed we'd have no way of feeding her as she won't take bottles at all.

Not too keen on the ideas of jewellery or photo frames etc. Clothes are also a no-no as she has a load of clothes that will do her until she's two.

I'd really appreciate some ideas as I'm at a loss.

Thanks.

orchidsrpretty

When my nephew was getting christened, most gifts were money/prize bonds.
I think prize bonds are the best as money is too easily spent.

You said no to jewelery but if its a girl some of these are quite cute, you could get them engraved and she would be able to wear it for a good few years as they expand.

mathepac

The Lovely Muffin wrote: »

... My cousin is having her daughter Christened ...

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

When my nephew was getting christened ...

baptised

I am a friend

I would suggest you ask her... Maybe they would like photo frames... I got loads for our baby and I was delighted with them.

January

mathepac wrote: »

baptised

I dont think the OP asked for a lesson on proper vocabulary. Helpful posting only please. Consider this your first warning.

Twinkleboots

http://www.tinythings.ie/ my godaughters christening is in two weeks and I have ordered a beautiful plaque for her Christening day and i also ordered a beautiful memory box that you can put a photo and a footprint at the front of.

Christenings are very sentimental occasions and the memory box my son got for his was on of my favourite gifts. His godmother got him it and she even wrote him a letter that he's not aloud to open until he's 18 haha!.

Also I got a Christening guest book off my mother and everyone wrote beautiful messages to my son tht day, it's in his memory box!

The Lovely Muffin

I am a friend wrote: »

I would suggest you ask her... Maybe they would like photo frames... I got loads for our baby and I was delighted with them.

I did ask my cousin was there anything they'd like for their daughter and she said no. She said there was no need to get a present, but we'd still like to get her something.

I'm not sure about photo frames, my cousin tends to get them for her bday, Christmas etc, so I thought maybe something else would be nice.

Twinkleboots wrote: »

Also I got a Christening guest book off my mother and everyone wrote beautiful messages to my son tht day, it's in his memory box!

This is a wonderful idea, my cousin and her husband would absolutely love this.

Thanks so much for the suggestions, I really appreciate them, keep them coming

liliq

Groupon have an offer on photo canvas at the moment. €14 for a 12 X 16 as far as i remember, from printerpix. I got one done, and it is lovely.
They're usually so expensive to get done so it's a great deal

pwurple

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

When my nephew was getting christened, most gifts were money/prize bonds.
I think prize bonds are the best as money is too easily spent.

People gave us prize bonds for our daughters christening, and to be honest, they were very awkward.
We had three problem cases
1) Wrong name on the prize bond. Her firstname with my surname instead of my husbands. Another one with a short version of her first name.
2) Wrong address on the prize bond. Some of my parents friends gave her prize bonds, but put my parents address on the registration. Postman would not deliver it, they got the failed delivery notice and gave us that instead.
3) Made out in either my name or my husbands name instead of hers

We wanted to get the whole lot of them collated into one batch of prize bonds registered to one address, and it took 9 forms, various correspondences over 4 months to do it. It's not a case of popping down the post office like when you buy them, I needed to send off registered copies of her birth cert, our marriage cert, proof of address, along with various forms.

I got so annoyed with it, and the fact that I have prizebonds from my communion that are devalued to near nothing... that I cashed the whole lot in and stuck it in a bank account instead. At least it will accrue interest. That's another written application form to cash them in by the way. Prize bonds are a domestic loan to the govt, what baby needs to do that?

Please get the details right when you apply for them, or just give a voucher or some cash.

Acoshla

Surely when you give a voucher for a photo session it's to be used later by the parents to bring the baby to, you don't have to take the baby out for a few hours yourself to do it?

The Lovely Muffin

Acoshla wrote: »

Surely when you give a voucher for a photo session it's to be used later by the parents to bring the baby to, you don't have to take the baby out for a few hours yourself to do it?

I meant that if we got her hand-prints/foot-prints in pottery or whatever that we'd need to take her out for a few hours. Though we could get a voucher and her parents could take her.

I'm still at a loss as to what we could get her. I found out that a few other people are getting her prize bonds now, so there's no point in us getting her them as well.

I think we might just get a voucher for a photography session and then her parents can use it whenever they want.

Acoshla

You can buy a little gift set that lets the parents do them themselves, about €20.

emmiou

My first child was given a white shawl/blanket with his name and baptism date on it - the friend who gave it added my other children to it for their baptisms too- its a lovely gift we'll have forever and it was used as part of the ceremony for each. like this http://www.thingsremembered.com/product///White-Christening-Blanket/pc/101/c/2576/sc/2594/160070.uts?fcref=afl&ci_src=14110925&ci_sku=683812

pwurple

Some of the things that were given to our smallie.

-A beautiful patchwork quilt (we used it as a playmat initially, and now it is on her bed)
-A soft blanket with her name stitched onto it.
-A silver jewellery box, with name engraved
-A christening bracelet
-Crocheted shawl
-Some classic books (Beatrice potter, alice in wonderland)
-A locket
-A wooden noahs ark with the animals.

Really thoughtful stuff. I thought they were all lovely, especially the handmade ones.

clint_silver

Im doing godfather to a boy quite soon and came here looking for some ideas.
Im really not into the gift thing like photoframes, little booties etc. Each to their own there but I just dont see it. I would view those types of presents that the parents admire, the baby being chris...ahem, baptised, isnt going to get anything from it. Am I wrong there? Is the present supposed to be for the baby or the parents?

So, Prize bonds were first to cross my mind but after reading above good post about them Im not so sure. I was thinking of something more practical. As he's obviously not going to need anything for a LONG time, it has to be a investment of some sort. So what can one invest long term for? A monthly savings bond of say something like 10e per month, not something Id miss too much and he'd get roughly his first year of college paid for 18 years from now? Obviously cost me a lot more in the long term but sure feck it, long term wont notice it.

whats the going rate for a pressie, 100e? I could put 100e into many shares of companies with longer term growth potential but half that money would be eaten up with fees.

What else could I do as an investment long term?

I gave my baby cousin this

http://www.amazon.com/The-Mozart-Effect-Playtime-Sleepytime/dp/B00000DA1O

and i was told ever after what a hit it was with him and how much he loved it

HappyKate

bluewolf wrote: »

I gave my baby cousin this

http://www.amazon.com/The-Mozart-Effect-Playtime-Sleepytime/dp/B00000DA1O

and i was told ever after what a hit it was with him and how much he loved it

Aww, what a great idea!!! Is it possible to get this in Cork?

Neyite

If the parents like their music:

http://www.rockabyebabymusic.com/

This site does covers of rock bands as lullabye music. My OH was particularly appreciative of the ACDC and Metallica albums. Apparently he want to start baby off listening to "proper music, not that sh!te its mammy listens to"

Its a bit different from the norm, but thats why I liked it!

HappyKate

HappyKate wrote: »

Aww, what a great idea!!! Is it possible to get this in Cork?

i got mine in a golden whatevertheyrecalled cd shop so im sure you might find one

The Lovely Muffin

I've been looking into various places in Dublin that do the imprints into pottery/clay etc and it's working out quite expensive, most places charge €50+, which we can't afford.

At this stage I'm thinking maybe a one4all voucher for the baby, in her mothers name, that way, if the baby needed anything, they could use the voucher towards it? I don't know to be honest.

Half of my family are getting prize bonds, and I don't want to get her those as well. She's gotten a good few of them already, so I'd like something different.

emmiou

you can get a Sculpy photoframe & clay imprint kit at the art&craft in Jervis for about €25, looks like this http://www.craftmill.co.uk/no-mess-sculpey-keepsake-clay-imprint-kit-with-frame

Acoshla

You can get sets to do those clay prints in loads of places, like Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Art-Magic-Box-Natural/dp/B000I5YT3G/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1336999073&sr=8-6

I've seen them between €10 and €30.

The Lovely Muffin

Thanks guys, the thing with those sets it, I'm pretty sure my cousin wouldn't use them, it'd be left unused, but if she had a voucher for a place, that would be used.

I might say it to my auntie (baby's grandma) and see what she thinks about the home clay set, I'm pretty sure my cousin won't use it, but it can't hurt to ask.

Acoshla

It'd be a lot more work to take a baby somewhere to get it done than to just do it yourself, if she wouldn't want to take the bit of time to do it at home then would she bother taking the time to go somewhere to have someone else do it?

The Lovely Muffin

Acoshla wrote: »

It'd be a lot more work to take a baby somewhere to get it done than to just do it yourself, if she wouldn't want to take the bit of time to do it at home then would she bother taking the time to go somewhere to have someone else do it?

You are right, but she'd see it as a day out rather than 'another thing to do at home'.

We can't exactly give a voucher for €30 and have them pay any extra towards it, it would look stingy, no?

Annabananna

Hey when i had my kids christened my ssister gave me the best present a bunch of flowers and a little note pad written in it this is your book of babysitting vouchers. She made out 10 Vouchers each saying that she mind my kids for a day x amount of hours or overnight it was great as with two kids under 1.5yrs it nice to get out and about for a time on your own. HTH

The Lovely Muffin

Would this be OK to give her? I know the photos would be quite small though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Clock-Photo-Birthday-Christening/dp/B00245DQXM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1337894750&sr=8-8

Westwood

Would it be ok to give your sister "NO PRESENT, OR CARD" for the christening of her son...

Well thats what I received for my sons christening last month, my family travelled to the country for the christening, brother was godfather and my partners sister was godmother..... Lovely outfit and card received from godmother.. Well the GODFATHER gave nothing not even a card, my sister gave me a card the next day and just left in on the kitchen table before she left on her travels ...Now please tell me how much a card costs..you can get (2 for €1 in the pound shop.). Im not expecting lavish gifts or anything but its a token on the day ..Oh sorry my brother had to brag about all his new clothes for the christening and for his 2 precious children...

So there you go that's what I received..nice gifts from my only brother and sister....

The Big Red Button

The Lovely Muffin wrote: »

Would this be OK to give her? I know the photos would be quite small though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Clock-Photo-Birthday-Christening/dp/B00245DQXM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1337894750&sr=8-8

If you have the photos to fill it up yourself, then maybe. I wouldn't give it to them empty though, most parents would never get round to taking the photos each month and printing them all and putting them into the frame and hanging it up somewhere!

Westwood wrote: »

Would it be ok to give your sister "NO PRESENT, OR CARD" for the christening of her son...

Well thats what I received for my sons christening last month, my family travelled to the country for the christening, brother was godfather and my partners sister was godmother..... Lovely outfit and card received from godmother.. Well the GODFATHER gave nothing not even a card, my sister gave me a card the next day and just left in on the kitchen table before she left on her travels ...Now please tell me how much a card costs..you can get (2 for €1 in the pound shop.). Im not expecting lavish gifts or anything but its a token on the day ..Oh sorry my brother had to brag about all his new clothes for the christening and for his 2 precious children...

So there you go that's what I received..nice gifts from my only brother and sister....

You say your brother and sister travelled to the country for the Christening ... surely this was present enough?

guppy

I got these http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dvd+baby+einstein+collection&sprefix=dvd+baby+einstei%2Caps%2C278 for my son when he was born, and he loved them. My nephew had no interest though!

Maybe get some Prize bonds with a promise to buy something more suitable for the child at the first birthday?

(apologies for crap links, I only have use of work iPad, wish I could afford a proper laptop of my own!)

guppy

I got these http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dvd+baby+einstein+collection&sprefix=dvd+baby+einstei%2Caps%2C278 for my son when he was born, and he loved them. My nephew had no interest though!

Maybe get some Prize bonds with a promise to buy something more suitable for the child at the first birthday?

Edit : Holy god, looking at the price of those dvds, I wish I'd kept them!

The Lovely Muffin

Thanks so much everyone.

I spoke to my cousin about it when I saw her the other day and she said there really isn't anything they want/need for her.

My cousin just asked if I could make some cakes/buns for her Christening, which I am doing, I also got her a lovely photo frame, it's glass with butterflies on it.

I don't know what else to get, my mother is pestering me to get her prize bonds, but nearly everyone is getting her prize bonds so I don't want to get them as well.

I was thinking of putting €20 in a card but I don't know if her parents have a savings account or anything for her.

The frame was only €2.75 (got it in a cash & carry) so I'd like to get something else. I don't want to come across as tight/mean/cheap.

She has enough clothes to do her until she's three (really!), she has enough toys etc.

My cousin and her mother are both saying that the food is enough, and along with the photo frame (I didn't say anything to them about it), but I don't think it is enough, am I wrong?

stargazer 68

The Lovely Muffin wrote: »

My cousin and her mother are both saying that the food is enough, and along with the photo frame (I didn't say anything to them about it), but I don't think it is enough, am I wrong?

Op my nephew is getting christened in July and we arent getting anything for him. We bought his cot when he was born along with other stuff and we regularly buy him clothes etc. My sis has said there is no need for presents for the christening and I have to agree. Others clearly wont!!

The Lovely Muffin

Dovies wrote: »

Op my nephew is getting christened in July and we arent getting anything for him. We bought his cot when he was born along with other stuff and we regularly buy him clothes etc. My sis has said there is no need for presents for the christening and I have to agree. Others clearly wont!!

Maybe what we/I are giving it enough tbh.

We didn't buy any cots or anything except some clothes and a bit blanket for the baby. We (mam, granny and I) also got her a Newbridge silverware Christmas tree decoration with her name on it for Christmas.

Of course I will be putting a photo into the photo frame, but even then, it won't cost any more than €10.

I think we'll just do what my cousin said and not get anything, not because we're being mean/tight, but because she said there's nothing they want/need.

I don't want to come across as mean though.

stargazer 68

The Lovely Muffin wrote: »

I think we'll just do what my cousin said and not get anything, not because we're being mean/tight, but because she said there's nothing they want/need.

I don't want to come across as mean though.

Op she will appreciate the cakes and the frame just as much as an expensive gift. I have 2 children and I really couldnt tell you who bought them what for their christening!

The Lovely Muffin

Dovies wrote: »

Op she will appreciate the cakes and the frame just as much as an expensive gift. I have 2 children and I really couldnt tell you who bought them what for their christening!

Thanks Dovies, you are right.

I'll leave it as is, I appreciate your help

Acoshla

The cost doesn't matter at all as long as what you've gotten is nice and thoughtful. For my Godson's christening I made his cake and probably got him a small present but I can't even remember and it was only last August I only ever buy him quite cheap presents because he's the youngest of 4 so has everything, his mother would appreciates the small creative presents more than me spending a fortune, like at Christmas my friend embroidered his name onto some fabric, I decorated it with buttons and framed it, cost me about €15, his parents loved it.

Neyite

Muffin, I know from other forums you love cooking, so to offer to prepare some foods for the celebrations may go down very well indeed!

If I were you, I'd find out what kind of food she is planning and offer to help out. eg if its a cold buffet, then prepare a few nice salads, or if its a hot buffet, a big pot of chicken and mushroom vol-a-vent filling and the vol-a-vents. Maybe go over the evening before to help her out or bring along a few dishes.

Or even offer to arrive early to the home on the day itself and help out in the kitchen or with the kids - getting them ready or keeping them out of the dirt so their nice outfits stay clean, so mammy can take the time to get dressed up and made up for the occasion, would be a massive help.

The Lovely Muffin

Neyite wrote: »

Muffin, I know from other forums you love cooking, so to offer to prepare some foods for the celebrations may go down very well indeed!

If I were you, I'd find out what kind of food she is planning and offer to help out. eg if its a cold buffet, then prepare a few nice salads, or if its a hot buffet, a big pot of chicken and mushroom vol-a-vent filling and the vol-a-vents. Maybe go over the evening before to help her out or bring along a few dishes.

Or even offer to arrive early to the home on the day itself and help out in the kitchen or with the kids - getting them ready or keeping them out of the dirt so their nice outfits stay clean, so mammy can take the time to get dressed up and made up for the occasion, would be a massive help.

After reading your post Neyite I rang my cousin and asked if there was any other foods etc that I could bring along and she said no, all I need to bring it the cakes/buns.

Unfortunately going over the evening before or early that morning is a no no as I live in a different county and my mum's sister will be bringing us to/from the Christening. I said to my cousin if there is anything else that I can do just to let me know.

I can't think of anything else to get the baby so am going with what my cousin said and just bring what she asked, give the photo frame and nothing else. I'd like to give something else, but I don't want to give something that is going to be unused, I don't want to waste money either, I haven't got it to waste.

allprops

When my son Was baptised he was given a gift of a tree that was planted in his name. He got a certificate with his name and the reg and place of the tree. It's something that he still talks about now. It was thoughtful and quite personal.