grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 8, 2016 14:00:33 GMT
My DH's nephew is being christened in a couple weeks and I know we will be required to gift. I really don't want to do something typical, I actually don't remember the last time I went to a christening nor do I remember what I gifted (my parents probably took care of it, thus my lack of memory) and I'm actually kind of side-eyeing this whole affair (the parents don't attend church in any way or means unless the extended family forces it... such as a funeral... so it seems like a christening to shut the parents/family up rather than actually doing it because it's meaningful) so I'm not really sure where to go with this.
Any ideas or suggestions of things that would be suitable for a christening but aren't all that churchy or religious would be much appreciated. Thanks.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 8, 2016 14:21:25 GMT
While we didn't do this with DD, most of my siblings did with their kids and the typical gifts *were* religious in nature such as a children's Bible, small cross pendant, many MANY wall plaques with angels on them and the Lord's Prayer, etc. I would say if you specifically don't want to do something religious I would go with a savings bond or something similar that can be put away for the child's future education. In my experience, this kind of event is less of a gift grab than most because the gifts are usually small and relatively inexpensive.
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anniebeth24
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Post by anniebeth24 on Apr 8, 2016 14:30:24 GMT
Savings Bond or a share of a favorite/fun/kid-friendly company's stock would be great. My in-laws gave our kids each a share of Disney stock and it came with a beautiful certificate.
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quiltz
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Apr 8, 2016 14:33:43 GMT
Canada Post usually carries the Royal Canadian Mint collection for the current year. It is an a sealed small package & would be an appropriate gift for this occasion.
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grinningcat
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 8, 2016 14:39:03 GMT
While we didn't do this with DD, most of my siblings did with their kids and the typical gifts *were* religious in nature such as a children's Bible, small cross pendant, many MANY wall plaques with angels on them and the Lord's Prayer, etc. I would say if you specifically don't want to do something religious I would go with a savings bond or something similar that can be put away for the child's future education. In my experience, this kind of event is less of a gift grab than most because the gifts are usually small and relatively inexpensive. I haven't been to a christening in this family yet, however if Easter can be a crazy gift giving extravaganza, I have no doubt that a christening will be the same thing and just another competition for who can give the biggest or best gift. I think savings bonds are now considered a bad way of saving, but I will look into something along those lines. Thanks... |
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grinningcat
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 8, 2016 14:39:26 GMT
Canada Post usually carries the Royal Canadian Mint collection for the current year. It is an a sealed small package & would be an appropriate gift for this occasion. I will take a look at the Mint, they have some great coins and collections! Thanks! |
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grinningcat
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 8, 2016 14:39:51 GMT
Savings Bond or a share of a favorite/fun/kid-friendly company's stock would be great. My in-laws gave our kids each a share of Disney stock and it came with a beautiful certificate. That's a neat idea. I may look into that as well. Thanks! |
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Post by compeateropeator on Apr 8, 2016 14:55:14 GMT
I agree with some kind of monetary type gift towards education or future aspirations. I think it is giving a gift now that will actually benefit the child when it can help them toward their dreams and goals. Good luck.
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Post by littlemama on Apr 8, 2016 15:18:11 GMT
I wouldn't do a savings bond. I have bonds from when dh and I got married nearly 20 years ago that still have not reached maturity. When I was 18, I cashed in a load of bonds that had matured in 7 years and then kept increasing in value. It's not the same anymore. I like the idea of something from the mint or a share of stock
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Apr 8, 2016 15:27:55 GMT
No ideas for you but found this statement in your post sort of sad:required to gift Sad that family requires gifts for an occasion. Gifts should be voluntary and from the heart.
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Country Ham
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Post by Country Ham on Apr 8, 2016 15:30:47 GMT
My DH's nephew is being christened in a couple weeks and I know we will be required to gift. Do you know that until I starting reading 2Peas (a long time ago now) I never heard tell of gifting for religious sacraments . I was raised catholic and never once got a present for baptism, first communion, confirmation etc. It just wasn't done in my circles. Now I am non denominational, live in a different country even and still no gifts are given. (I should add that I do know of the stereotype that after Bar mitzvahs the boys get lots of gifts) |
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Apr 8, 2016 15:33:02 GMT
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 8, 2016 15:43:58 GMT
Do you know that until I starting reading 2Peas (a long time ago now) I never heard tell of gifting for religious sacraments . I was raised catholic and never once got a present for baptism, first communion, confirmation etc. It just wasn't done in my circles. Now I am non denominational, live in a different country even and still no gifts are given. Same here. I've seen an occasional gift at baptisms but never at baby blessings. ETA: If you feel you must give a gift, I wouldn't make a huge effort. It's a baby and it sounds like you will never win with your husband's family. Give something generic. |
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tiffanytwisted
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Apr 8, 2016 16:51:53 GMT
I wouldn't do a savings bond. I have bonds from when dh and I got married nearly 20 years ago that still have not reached maturity. When I was 18, I cashed in a load of bonds that had matured in 7 years and then kept increasing in value. It's not the same anymore. I like the idea of something from the mint or a share of stock In addition, you can't get them at banks like you used to. You have to get them online and then you have to have all the recipient's info (SS#, etc.). I don't know why they make it so hard to buy them. I like the idea of stock in a company that has meaning for you and then maybe a token gift like the picture frame idea. Do you know that until I starting reading 2Peas (a long time ago now) I never heard tell of gifting for religious sacraments . I was raised catholic and never once got a present for baptism, first communion, confirmation etc. It just wasn't done in my circles. Now I am non denominational, live in a different country even and still no gifts are given. (I should add that I do know of the stereotype that after Bar mitzvahs the boys get lots of gifts) Interesting! I'm also a Catholic (raised by generations of Catholics) and there were always tons of gifts, savings bonds, etc. given at all those occasions. I'd guess it was regional, but my mom was from western PA & my dad was from NJ, so who knows? |
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Post by lisae on Apr 8, 2016 16:56:27 GMT
My DH's nephew is being christened in a couple weeks and I know we will be required to gift. Do you know that until I starting reading 2Peas (a long time ago now) I never heard tell of gifting for religious sacraments . I was raised catholic and never once got a present for baptism, first communion, confirmation etc. It just wasn't done in my circles. Now I am non denominational, live in a different country even and still no gifts are given. (I should add that I do know of the stereotype that after Bar mitzvahs the boys get lots of gifts) This is a new thing to me also. I've never heard of doing a baptismal gift. Most are held in the parents regular place of worship. Many years ago, we were invited to the christenings of both of one of my friends children which were held at a very old church that is not used anymore for regular services. I didn't take a gift and don't remember seeing any. I had done a shower gift for her first child and I think I took something by the house for the 2nd baby when she was born. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 8, 2016 18:19:49 GMT
My DH's nephew is being christened in a couple weeks and I know we will be required to gift. Do you know that until I starting reading 2Peas (a long time ago now) I never heard tell of gifting for religious sacraments . I was raised catholic and never once got a present for baptism, first communion, confirmation etc. It just wasn't done in my circles. Now I am non denominational, live in a different country even and still no gifts are given. (I should add that I do know of the stereotype that after Bar mitzvahs the boys get lots of gifts) I was raised Catholic too and even way back then we got gifts for those kinds of events. Usually it was something from the local religious guild store like a small Bible, a necklace or more typically a plaque with a prayer printed on it and a raised design of a kid praying with an angel floating above. My aunt worked at a bank which was why we also typically received savings bonds. I cashed all of mine in when I bought my first house. |
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grinningcat
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Post by grinningcat on Apr 8, 2016 19:15:34 GMT
It's always been a thing to give SMALL gifts for baptism/confirmation/communion as far as my memory goes. I remember receiving things like prayer books, rosaries, kid's bibles, etc. I should probably talk to someone in the family about gifts, but knowing how they do gifting for every other event like Easter, it's probably going to be an avalanche of gifts. I am seeing his cousin tonight, so I'll ask her.
I like the idea of a silver frame. Photos are always a nice thing to have around the house.
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Deleted
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May 6, 2024 3:52:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 20:52:25 GMT
A small pure silver or gold bar.
A silk and lace handkerchief / or one of those caps that turn into a handkerchief .
A bottle of whiskey/ wine made dated his birth year, to be opened at some major event.
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ellen
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Post by ellen on Apr 8, 2016 21:02:20 GMT
I have given this as a gift for baptisms. It's religious, but doesn't feel too preachy. It's a nice story to read to a kid. They used to have a nice gift edition of it that I used to give, but it doesn't look like it's available anymore. The Tale of Three Trees |
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Post by crittsmom on Apr 9, 2016 1:58:59 GMT
you can get one share of stock through One Share. Its kind of a fun site to check out.
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Post by bosoxbeth on Apr 9, 2016 2:45:49 GMT
Friends I know whose children had Baptisms or Christenings had tons of gifts. They got religious items as mentioned above as well as books, photo frames and money.
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Post by bigbundt on Apr 9, 2016 2:55:55 GMT
We gave our niece $20 in those gold $1 coins. I'm sure some consider that cheap but that is what we felt was appropriate for our finances at the time and the occasion. I was going to do a savings bond but like a previous poster said, you now need the SSN number of the recipient to purchase. We are not religious so we opted not to do any of the traditional christening gifts.
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Sparty
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Post by Sparty on Apr 9, 2016 4:22:00 GMT
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Post by ametallichick on Apr 9, 2016 8:12:10 GMT
Whenever I've gone to a christening, I've given a children's bible. They have them in pink and blue and they're adorable.
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ellen
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Post by ellen on Apr 9, 2016 12:54:51 GMT
Ok, I love the Fisher Price Noah's arc set and the next time I buy a baptism gift that is what I'm buying. We bought my daughter and niece a Fisher Price nativity set for their first Christmases and they were the cutest thing ever and they used them. I remember my husband and I laughing about Mary driving the tractor from the farm set.
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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 9, 2016 13:28:47 GMT
Savings Bond or a share of a favorite/fun/kid-friendly company's stock would be great. My in-laws gave our kids each a share of Disney stock and it came with a beautiful certificate. That's a neat idea. I may look into that as well. Thanks! My mom has been giving the boys a share in a stock for a while now (for various birthdays/holidays) and they have a nice little portfolio going. If this is a kid that you will be required to buy gifts for again, or there are other kids in the family that will require ongoing gift giving, maybe you buy stock shares for everyone and be known as 'auntie grinningcat stock lady.' That makes it easier for the future too.  |
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