Baptism Gifts: Features and a List of Options

Christening is a religious ceremony that not many parents carry out according to canons according to tradition. Usually this celebration follows some general scenario of baptism, but not all are observed even in preparation for the rite. The choice of godparents does not always go with an emphasis on the churching of the candidates, on their willingness to become spiritual mentors of the godson. Often close relatives and friends become godparents.

The godfathers have an honorable role that day: they are called parents in the church sense of the word, take on the mission of spiritual education of the godson. Nobody will remove this role from them, therefore it is worth considering whether you are ready for it. Traditionally, his “new” parents give the cross to the godson. Nowhere is it written that it should be precious - such a requirement is inappropriate, it can only be a personal decision of the godparents.

To buy or not a chain for christening? Usually this is not necessary, for the ceremony you need a strong thread and a cross, the chain is a decorative detail. In principle, the baby does not need it. There is no single decision who gives the cross, mother or father (godparents). Today it is an increasingly common gift. If the parents of the baby already have a cross, which also happens, they need to notify the godparents about it. Before the ceremony begins, the cross must be consecrated in the church, if you buy a product in the church shop - there is no such need.

And if there are no clear rules when buying a cross, then the godfather usually pays for the baptismal ritual. Of course, parents should not be confronted with the godfather’s agreement if they decide to split the spending in half. This is only a tradition, not so indestructible that the payment of the rite has any special significance. Moreover, it happens that the child does not have a godfather (there is only a godmother), in this case, sometimes the native parents pay for the ritual.

Kryzhma (it is often replaced today with a baptismal towel) is usually given to the child by a named godmother. After the rite, the baby is wrapped in it, and then it is prescribed to store and protect the kryzhma. Sometimes you can hear the advice that a baptismal towel should be applied to the baby in the days of illness.

It was about traditional gifts, without which the rite actually does not pass. Native parents can prepare the baptismal outfit, godparents can present it too - today this is not so fundamental. But after all, gifts on this day are presented not only to the baby (or a more adult godson). For example, a husband can make a gift to his wife (the godson’s dad is to his mother), because for her this is a significant day.

All those invited to baptism usually give something to the baby. And this is not necessarily a thing related to religion, church subjects. Although why not give the baby the first Bible on the day of baptism? If the child grows up in a church family, the gift is sure to come in handy.

Consider what else you can give the child.

• Silver spoon. This is a traditional gift: in some families it is given for birth, but most often the gift is presented specifically for christening. Such a spoon may not have practical significance at all, but symbolically this gift is pleasant.
• Outfits. It is always appropriate, you can replenish the baby’s wardrobe, which his parents will appreciate. Baptism is a bright holiday, therefore, dresses can be not so practical as solemn. Bright dresses, white shirts, elegant hats - all this will emphasize the solemnity of the event.
• Toys Developments are suitable for kids, and older children can be presented with something traditional - a bear, a doll. You can order designer toys that make with a touch of vintage. Any kid is pleased to receive a teddy / velvet bear in a beautiful box and with a set of outfits. Girls will always be pleased with a classic doll.

But speaking of christening, we do not always mean that the ritual concerns children. People decide to church and when they are adults, this decision is, as a rule, conscious, thought out. Such godparents are no longer needed, but this does not eliminate the need to congratulate a loved one on such an important event. An adult girl can give white flowers this season, this is always a pleasure, and the day is really important, deserving of such a compliment. Often, spiritual literature and icons are given to adults, which is quite in the spirit of such an event. You can give the girl a dress or skirt in which you can go to church, a shawl and a scarf.

You can give a memorable icon, a prayer book, a chain for a cross to a young man who has been baptized. In a word, it is absolutely worthwhile to mark a day so important for a loved one as a gift, no matter at what age he comes to this decision.

The return gift to the godparents is also a tradition. A logical choice seems to be souvenirs with a Christian theme. Figures of angels, embroidered textiles are a traditional choice in this case. Often they give icons to godparents and bring them from holy places.

And a few more options that can be presented to godparents.

• Hotels. Do not know which gift will please godfathers, give sweets. Get two small baskets, fill them with gifts. Sweets, chocolate, specially baked cookies, nuts, honey, jam for this occasion - all this is appropriate and with proper decoration looks quite festive. If you put red wine in a basket of kumu and kumu, this will not be too much. Although focusing on alcohol is definitely not worth it.
• White towels. This is not something traditional and primordial, but rather a small exchange between the godson and godparents. If they give the baby christening towels, then parents can give the same gift to their godmothers. White color is the color of purity, the beginning, and indeed, for the named parents today is a special day, the beginning of feeling in a new role. Therefore, a white terry towel may become a symbol of some kind of renewal.
• Outfits. It is quite appropriate if such gifts do not seem to you an excess. You can give the godfather a new shirt (in which you can attend the temple), and the godmother - a dress. If you have chosen relatives at Kumovia, such gifts are welcome.
• Candles and candlesticks. Often all this can be bought in church shops.
• Do-it-yourself napkins and tablecloths. If you are really anxiously awaiting baptism, you will begin to prepare for it in advance. And a good gift for godfathers will be tablecloths or napkins, paths for the festive table, which you will knit yourself (embroider). This is, indeed, an expensive and unique gift.

But the main gift is still an invitation to a festive dinner in honor of the christening (if you arrange it, of course). If you wish, you can issue invitations, hand them in advance. You can arrange dinner at home, in a restaurant, in the country - all options are worth considering, there are no strict rules here either.

If you are having a holiday at home, you can pre-prepare small bags (boxes, bags) with refreshments that they will take home to all guests without exception. Typically, in such bags put candy, cookies, fruits, nuts, dessert jars of honey and jam.

If it is customary to give gifts made by yourself in your family, in your environment, this is wonderful - you can only be envied. And christening is an occasion to continue the tradition. This is a very intimate holiday, delicate, gentle, because money in envelopes and certificates in specialized stores, although they will not be superfluous, do not combine with the very mood of christening.

You can do many useful things with your own hands as a gift.

• Hats. If the child is still small, he most likely has a whole set of hats - for different weather, and for a different outfit. Today, there is a whole fashion for hats for kids: these are often retro-models in which the kids resemble gnomes. Even the most experienced knitters can knit such products. Present a whole set of hats to your baby - two light, two warmer. You can’t buy such hats anywhere! Nice present for granddaughter from grandmother. By the way, with good work it can be inherited.
• Chair for babies. If grandfather is a true master, then he will surely be able to master such a design as a highchair. This will be a very valuable gift from grandfather, personalized. By the way, the project can be family-friendly: grandfather makes a wooden structure, grandmother paints it and decorates. A truly exclusive gift will come out!
• Memorable toys. If someone in the family makes interior dolls, toys, then it’s stupid not to use such talent in relation to a gift for a child.Not all such toys are intended for fun, but symbolically they are beautiful. Textile bears, hares and foxes will decorate the baby’s room and will be a cute reminder of the day of christening. Such aroma-toys are often made: in the stomach of a hare or bear, a sachet is sewn up, for example, with lavender or a mixture of soothing herbs. If the toy is placed next to the baby’s bed, it can help him fall asleep.
• Holiday sweets. It’s a good present if you don’t have a special dessert for a baptism dinner. You can directly ask relatives or friends who are skilled at making sweets, give you a set of holiday muffins, gingerbread cookies, make a cake or pie.
• The decor of the room. Another practical direction is the thought - if the mother of the child calls her friends for christening, as a gift she can ask them to festively decorate the room where the gala dinner will be held. In order for this day to go without a hitch, without a hitch, so that everything around corresponds to the solemnity of the event, the appropriate decor will definitely not be superfluous.
• PHOTOSESSION. If one of the guests at the christening, as you know, is engaged in photography, ask him to give you a photo session. A small, modest, but still it will be a good memory of an important event. And you will not care about the idea that the holiday has passed, but you still haven’t managed to take “normal photos”.
• Bed linen sets. Today, more and more often, skilled relatives do the blankets, sheets, pillowcases for the baby in the crib themselves. The choice of materials is huge, and you can always learn to sew. This is a useful gift, beautiful, definitely necessary for the baby.
• Commemorative cross-stitch. Many craftswomen today sew to order work with some beautiful image and artfully embroidered baptism date and the name of the child. Then the embroidery is placed under the frame, and it adorns one of the walls of the house. Cope with such work can those who are well versed in needlework.

There are a lot of ideas, it all depends on the creative direction where you are really strong. If you decorate surfaces, you can make a beautiful box where baby's curls, the first dummy and the first fallen tooth will be stored.

If guests directly ask parents what to give their child, this is often the best case scenario. But if there were no clear wishes, you have to think for yourself. It’s easiest to give money, but you must be sure that they will accept it normally. The fact is that far from all families it is considered normal to give money. And formally, this is the correct opinion: after all, there is nothing easier than getting a couple of notes out of the wallet and putting it in an envelope. It is much more difficult to go shopping, choose a gift, pack. And if you do it yourself - it’s really labor, time, effort.

But if there is a convention about a financial gift, then you can respond to it. The amount of gifts depends on your abilities and ideas about how much in principle they give for the holiday.

What, besides money, guests can give:

• the toys - the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to a small child;
• children's outfits - we advise you to give things a little for growth;
• the books - A true Christian for knowledge and education, therefore, even a very small child can be presented with a book (appreciated in the future);
• equipment, devices, gadgets - From prams and playpens to baby monitors and humidifiers (very practical and compelling gifts);
• certificates for children's stores - It is in the spirit of the times, and not money in kind, and some choice for parents;
• bathing sets - today they are so beautiful, diverse that they will interest not only the baby, it is difficult to resist and not to buy.

If you are going to christenings, support the festive mood of your loved ones: give your baby's mother flowers, dress smartly, let everyone glorify his main event that day, let it bring you even closer together.

It is very important that you give your loved ones your attention with the gift - if the baby goes to the pens, read it, give the young parents a little rest.

About what to give your child for christening, see the next video.