Baptism Gift?

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We are going to a good friend's new son's Baptism this weekend. While we are a religious family, we are not catholic so this is new to us. It just hit me last night that we need a gift, right? I assume so. We gave a gift when he was born but I assume this is seperate. And that is fine but what do you normally give? I would think a religious gift but am I way off, is it cash? I really don't know having not been though this in our families.

Anyone who is familiar with this please let me know, I want to be respectful of their religion but am not familiar with it. I did Google it but wondered what real people thought. Thanks!

 

[okeydokey]

A card and check would be easy. If you want to get them something regarding their faith you could see if there is a Catholic store nearby and try to find a bible or a rosary. It's hard if everyone has the same idea though.

For my nephew, we bought a small pewter statue of his name saint.

 

[sunlover13]

I usually give a savings bond. I get the ones where you pay $25, they are worth $50 or pay $50, worth $100 once they mature. If it is a close friend, I might give a little token religious gift as well, but usually just a savings bond. Cash would be fine too.

 

[msmayor]

US Savings Bonds have been my baptism gift-of-choice for years.

While religious articles are nice, I'll be honest: they aren't really the best gift for a baby. A Bible makes a better First Communion or Confirmation gift, and that's more meaningful coming from family or Confirmation sponsor. Babies don't wear religious medals, and the chance of multiple wall crosses and plaques (which, let's face it...an older child/teen isn't likely to want to keep on their wall) is high.

A savings bond is something that can be saved and used towards college. $25 buys you a $50 bond.

 

[acomasdiaz]

My kids were just baptized last week and they got a range of gift...

clothes, children's bible, precious moments cross, and money

We got them each a rosary as a gift from us. All gifts were appreciated though.

 

[Bren's Mom]

A gift isn't required, but it would be nice if you did bring one I think.

Religious gifts are very personal, and if you're not that faith I don't think you need to go there. And, as a pp said, that kind of thing can be easily duplicated by many people.

I always loved getting bonds for my ds. Or cash. He's got a nice little nest egg going, and I don't have more 'stuff' to store.

 

[iluvdiscruises]

Savings bonds (though some people don't feel comfortable giving out the baby's SS# and I am not big on using my own if it's not family)

Baptism Frame (I had someone find these for both of my kids...I think at a mall...they listed their name, date of the baptism, a little poem and room for a picture - you could probably design your own!)

Clothes in a bigger size

Collection of books (there is a great set out there with bible stories in board books...perfect for someone to read to a baby/toddler)

Hope this helps! As the PPs have mentioned, religious items are tough...I got MANY duplicates and didn't have that many guests!

 

[IndianaPrincess]

This is what I give out each baptism. My son has one and does great with it. It's a perfect gift if you are looking for something for the kiddo that won't just sit on a shelf or in a box (of course in a few years!

I buy mine for $8 at our local store, but you can get it on this site for about this same: http://www.discountcatholicstore.com/children's_rosaries.htm

 

[CleoPahd]

We have always given cash or a check at any baptisms/christenings. If it is someone we are close to we have given a savings bond, but the whole ss# makes that difficult.

 

[msmayor]

We have always given cash or a check at any baptisms/christenings. If it is someone we are close to we have given a savings bond, but the whole ss# makes that difficult.

Why? You don't need the SS# of the child. You put your own on the form and indicate that its a gift. Your SS# isn't attached or printed on the bond in any form.

As long as the bond shows "gift", the person whose name the bond is in must provide their SS# when cashing; yours won't figure in the equation at all.

 

[wdwfan16]

The norm is a Christening card with cash or a check in it. The amount is up to you. Normally the family will start the kid's bank account with the money from the Christening.

 

[Pastamom]

We do savings bonds.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

A book may be a nice gift. Maybe a Noah's ark set or book. My DD received a nice book named The Three Trees when she was a baby.

http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Three-Tr...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279295095&sr=1-1

 

[tommya60]

We are Catholic, I usually give savings bonds or childern's books (Bible stories, Noah's Ark). I did see a Noah's Ark stuffed toy recently, that would be nice, too.

 

[CleoPahd]

Why? You don't need the SS# of the child. You put your own on the form and indicate that its a gift. Your SS# isn't attached or printed on the bond in any form.

As long as the bond shows "gift", the person whose name the bond is in must provide their SS# when cashing; yours won't figure in the equation at all.

When my daughter was young she received many savings bonds, all with her SS# or my SS# printed on the front of the bond. A few years ago I ordered one for a new baby in the family and used my own ss#. The bond came printed with my ss# on the front. I wasn't aware that there was a way to ensure this did not happen. I'd give them more frequently! I think they make great gifts.

 

[mjkacmom]

99.9% give cash or savings bonds. Usually only close family (grandparents, godparents) give religious items. My kids received very few non-money gifts.

 

[mjkacmom]

This is what I give out each baptism. My son has one and does great with it. It's a perfect gift if you are looking for something for the kiddo that won't just sit on a shelf or in a box (of course in a few years!

I buy mine for $8 at our local store, but you can get it on this site for about this same: http://www.discountcatholicstore.com/children's_rosaries.htm

One of my kids got one of these - have no idea where is is now.

 

[sksjasams]

Here is a truly beautiful, wonderful picture book..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/00...mp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0066211042

Depending on your budget, you could just add a card or card and monetary gift.

 

[sjms71]

One of the gifts my DS received was a kid size soft blanket. In the corner was a embroidered cross his full name embroidered on top and his christening date on the bottom. He is 10 now and still loves this blanket.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Seems like cash is the way to go, I kind of figured. The couple is much more financially off if you will then us so that is always hard. We ran into this last year when they got married. DH was the best man and the wedding required us to stay in a hotel for 3 days and travel far. We did it because of what the groom/dad means to us, but the financial gift we gave was not as large as it could have been so I also made a gift to go along with it, and they actually really liked it. I framed and decorated the mounting of their wedding invitation. They actually put it on their dessert table at the wedding. So I think I will either do that with his birth announcement and give cash or maybe make a gift of another kind and give cash. That was it is still personal and yet giving what is more traditional.

Thanks for the suggestions!