The best ideas for christening gifts

christening gifts

by Catherine Ball |
Updated on

If you’ve been invited to a christening, baptism or naming ceremony, you’re probably on the lookout for the perfect christening gifts to give to the baby of honour.

There are plenty of christening gift options to choose from, depending on how old the person is and what their interests are. If they're a baby, you could get them a keepsake or something practical that the parents will benefit from too, for example.

Editor's choice:
Best for furniture: Personalised Noah's Ark Engraved Wood Stool - Buy now from Amazon
Best for toys: Little Dutch Noah's Ark - Buy now from Scandiborn
Best for jewellery: Child's Silver Expanding Bangle - Buy now from Hersey & Son
•Best for older children: Name a Star - Buy now from Star Listings

You might want to go for something traditional which they can keep as a special memento of their day or you could prefer to give the little one something they can use or play with right now. Either way, we’ve got you covered with our round-up of the best christening gifts.

Our pick of the best christening gifts

Best for stories

This large personalised book features the baby’s name and the date of their christening both on the front and on the inner pages. Inside the book, there a number of short rhyming prayers and blessings and child-friendly illustrations.

One reviewer said: "Absolutely thrilled with the book for my friend's son. The creator and seller even got it out earlier than the time given for delivery as I had explained the christening would be before the delivery date and nowhere near where I lived. Even though he didn't think this would give him enough time to create it, I actually did receive it three days early than expected. I can't thank him enough and it's truly worth every single penny. Highly recommend."

Pros

  • Handmade
  • Beautiful illustrations

Cons

  • Can't add your own photos

Best for memories

best christening gifts
Price: $27.71

This vintage-style memory box is a really thoughtful gift for a young baby as it gives their parents somewhere safe to keep all those little treasured bits and pieces from their early years so they can enjoy looking through them when they’re older.

One reviewer said: "I wanted to give my goddaughter a unique gift on the day she got christened. She doesn’t need clothes or toys so I thought that this little keepsake box would be perfect. She’ll be able to put (or should I say her parents) a lock of hair, first tooth and hospital wrist band which was kept after she was born and any other small keepsakes she may have for when she is older. The box is made out of wood with a raised pink elephant and a pink heart to the front. The box has hinges which make it easy to open and close. Really cute and recommended for birthdays, baby showers and christenings."

Pros

  • Easy to open
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Some reviewers say it's quite delicate

Best for furniture

This gorgeous wooden stool would look great in a little one’s nursery or playroom. The Noah’s Ark design means it has some religious significance but the cute animals will also appeal to young children. It can be laser engraved with the baby’s name and the date of their christening. Made from pine and feels well-made and sturdy.

One reviewer said: "I took a risk and bought three of these for all 3 children in the family getting Christened on the same day. I cannot recommend these enough. I was over the moon by the size & quality of these fabulous stools. These are a lifetime gift that can be used for years and years and even passed down the generations. I am confident they will be loved by both the adults and children as they grow into them."

Pros

  • Customised engravings
  • Each one is unique (different grains)

Cons

  • May grow out of it quickly

Best for toys

Suitable from 18 months, a Noah’s Ark toy makes a wonderful decoration when a baby is tiny but it’s also a really fun toy to play with when they get a bit older. We adore the muted colours and cute chunky pieces in this 25-piece Scandinavian-style wooden set.

There's a nice selection of animals, including monkeys, lions, elephants, crocodiles and even pigeons. Little ones will love opening and closing the door to the ark and putting everyone safely inside.

One reviewer said: "I am delighted with the Noah's Ark and animals. It was bought for as a gift for a two-year-old, who is crazy about animals. She loves playing with them. The service I received was also very good. The order came quicker than expected."

Pros

  • Durable material
  • Perfect size for small hands

Cons

  • Small

Best for jewellery

How adorable is this classic sterling silver baby bangle? With an expander, it will adjust to grow as they do. A truly elegant gift for a special occasion.

One reviewer said: "Very, very pretty and if (like me) you are a bit of a minimalist, absolutely perfect. It's quite a plain band, but we were offered several different fonts for the engraving of the child's name. We thought that, for a baby or toddler, something not overly fancy was just what we wanted."

Pros

  • Great choice of fonts available
  • Polishing cloths and giftbox included

Cons

  • May be too plain for some

Best for storage

 best ideas for christening gifts
Price: $108.75 (was 145)

www.my1styears.com

This stylish storage box will be loved by parents who can tidy away toys with ease and will grow with children who one day fill it up with other things like cushions or shoes for example when they get older.

One reviewer said: "What a beautiful box that I got from My 1st Years. I bought it for a friend's christening and I would definitely recommend."
Another reviewer said: "A beautiful product, well presented and quick delivery. Thanks so much!"

Pros

  • Can leave it plain or add personalisation
  • Wipe-clean surface

Cons

  • Not solid wood

Best for soft toys

What child doesn't love a cuddly teddy? This teddy bear is even more special as it has a tag that you can personalise with a name, message or special date. The whole family will treasure this little bear.

One reviewer said: "Such a beautiful bear. I paid for the gift wrapping, loved the gift label attached to the bag. Wrapping was excellent, as it was a gift for a young child, they could open it easily. It was adored by child and parents."

Pros

  • 25 characters for personalisation
  • Made from 100 per cent recycled plastic

Cons

  • Not recommended for babies below 6 months

Best for older children

This meaningful gift is truly one of a kind that will look lovely framed and will last a lifetime. You can choose the occasion, pick a constellation such as The Princess (Andromeda) or The Little Bear (Ursa Minor), and personalise the certificate which comes beautifully packaged.

One reviewer said: "Bought for christening presents of 7 and 5 year olds, with the wooden star which was a lovely touch. The presentation was lovely, looked like a really special gift and the parents commented on the thoughtfulness of the gift. Quick delivery, reliable service, would buy again and definitely recommend."

Pros

  • Extensive range of constellations to choose from
  • QR code to help to 'locate' your star

Best for a set

This stunning silver egg cup, spoon and bib have little teddy bears on and would make a lovely christening gift. Plus, it would most certainly become a beautiful keepsake once the little one outgrows it.

One reviewer said: "Bought for granddaughter's present and she loves it. Each piece is very well made and it looks quite elegant. It comes in a lovely box and inside it comes with tissue paper for the perfect presentation."

Pros

  • Durable materials
  • Bib is 100 per cent cotton

Cons

  • Some report that the box says 'decorative use only'

Best for meaning

This is a charm that will be treasured forever, so gift this adorable necklace to keep your little one safe. It comes in its very own gift box, so it's all ready to go.

One reviewer said: "What a lovely little gift. I purchased some for my mum to give to the great grandchildren as keepsakes. They have lovely presentation. I would buy again if needed."
Another reviewer said: "Bought this for my God son for the christening bless his heart he's one he opened it with mummy and screamed with joy!"

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Giftbox included

Cons

  • Chain is quite thin

Why do people give silver at a christening?

The tradition of giving silver gifts at a christening dates back to Tudor times when a child’s godparent would give them an Apostle Spoon. This silver spoon would have a picture of a saint on the handle, usually one sharing the same name as the child. The act of giving these silver spoons inspired the well-known phrase ‘born with a silver spoon in your mouth’.

While it is now fairly unusual to buy an actual Apostle spoon, many traditional christening gifts are still made from silver. Now people might give a wide range of items made from the precious metal, including money boxes, cutlery, napkin rings, coins, egg cups, rattles and tankards.

The reason silver is so popular, other than tradition, is that it is associated with health and prosperity. Giving a valuable item was also seen as symbolising independence for the child when they are older.

Does the gift have to be religious?

If you have been invited to a christening – a baptism welcoming a child into the Christian faith – you might want to give a present with religious significance. However, there are plenty of options out there which are thoughtful without being linked to a particular faith.

Naming ceremonies are an increasingly popular way of celebrating the birth of a baby but these events do not have a religious aspect to them so it is best to steer away of any explicitly Christian gifts. One great idea for both christenings and naming ceremonies is to give a gift based on the child’s name like a personalised or engraved item.

Catherine Ball is a mum-of-four and a freelance journalist who specialises in parenting and health. As well as writing regularly for Mother & Baby since 2015, her work has appeared in a number of publications.

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