Gift at Baptism?

[HM]

I've only ever been to one other Baptism in my adult life. I am not sure if you are supposed to bring a gift. It's for my niece's (on husband's side) two sons.
Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[WDSearcher]

It depends on how well you know the neice and whether or not there's a party / dinner / reception after. Our rule of thumb in "if they're feeding me, I'll bring something".

If you're particularly close to this neice, I'd get a gift. If you're just going out of family obligation, a card is fine.

FWIW ... my go-to gift for baptisms, First Communions and confirmations are picture frames. Nice silver or white frames so that the family has someplace for the "official photo". It doesn't break the bank, and people can always use frames.

 

[design_mom]

I've only ever been to one other Baptism in my adult life. I am not sure if you are supposed to bring a gift. It's for my niece's (on husband's side) two sons.
Thanks in advance for any insight.

I think this is something that varies widely depending on family traditions. In my family, baptism is not a gift-giving occasion. Most of my husband's relatives gave a small gift or a small amount of money in a card. Most money gifts were $10 or $20. For gifts, we got picture frames, a book of children's Bible stories, a pewter tube to keep the baptismal certificate in, a stuffed VeggieTales "Larry the Cucumber") I have heard of other families where the baptism "after party" was a big deal and pretty large gifts were given. Is there anyone in your husband's family that you can ask?

 

[mjkacmom]

We are Catholic - we give cash. At my children's baptisms, everyone gave money.

 

[mmackeymouse]

We are Catholic - we give cash. At my children's baptisms, everyone gave money.

Please do not suggest that this is the way of all Catholics. It is not.

I am Catholic, and I have never been to a baptism where cash is the norm. At all of the baptisms/first communions/confirmations I have attended or been a part of, there would sometimes be a cake and punch thing at the person's house afterwards...nothing more fancy than that.

If someone chose to give a gift, it was usually something akin to being related to the occasion: a bible carrier, rosary, picture frame, set of CS Lewis books, and so on and so forth. Except for at my first communion, I did get a Barbie doll, haha.

But, it was never, ever suggested that this was an occasion to give gifts. We usually only give gifts if it is close friends and family. If someone is inviting most of the Church, we may attend to be good parishioners, but don't necessarily give gifts.

 

[HM]

There is a luncheon at their house afterward (it's a morning service).

We see them a few times a year, but aren't particularly close.

This is only the second Baptism since I've been married into the family nearly 25 years ago. The other was the brother's (of this niece) children out of state, last year. All other kids were born before my children were born and if they were Baptized, I have no idea. Not many in the family attend church regularly either.

So maybe a card with $10 for each child? if we decide to bring something.

 

[CupcakeKelly]

When my DD was baptized almost 3 years ago, we mostly got cash and savings bonds. Nothing crazy, just little deposits to the college fund. We got a couple religious themed gifts too, like an engraved snow globe and a picture frame. Do what makes you comfortable

 

[Narnia_girl]

I've only ever been to one other Baptism in my adult life. I am not sure if you are supposed to bring a gift. It's for my niece's (on husband's side) two sons.
Thanks in advance for any insight.

This won't work if the boys are infants/toddlers, but if they are older and you just want to give a little something with a card then I'd suggest getting them each a large size Hershey bar. Then make a wrapper on your computer with a religious image and the stanza: "Blessings on you little child, grow in grace, sweet and mild."
I used to sell wrapped candy bars for all occasions and that one was popular in the spring.

Otherwise, I'd suggest an age-appropriate devotional book, Bible cover, cross necklace, VeggieTales or Adventures in Odyssey or of course, Chronicles of Narnia.

 

[Minnesota!]

We are Catholic - we give cash. At my children's baptisms, everyone gave money.

agreed. any Catholic baptism I have been to/had for my kids - cash is the norm.

 

[emma'smom]

Are they infants? I know we received a small gold cross for each of our children. I like to give a book "Making a Home for Faith" by Elizabeth Caldwell to the parents.

It's just a nice book (not too conservative, not too liberal) that gives ideas for how to keep "faith" present in a busy family household.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Yes. Us too.

We are Catholic - we give cash. At my children's baptisms, everyone gave money.

Really? Interesting.

Please do not suggest that this is the way of all Catholics. It is not.

I am Catholic, and I have never been to a baptism where cash is the norm. At all of the baptisms/first communions/confirmations I have attended or been a part of, there would sometimes be a cake and punch thing at the person's house afterwards...nothing more fancy than that.
.

I've honestly never been to a baptism where a gift was not given. And from all the baptisms i've attended, it was always cold hard cash. The only exception is the godparents, they'd normally give jewlery (usually a gold/white gold chain with a cross).

 

[cluvsdisney]

I have always given cash or savings bond as baptism gifts. The amount would depend on my relation to the child & parent. My jumping off point would be $50 for good friends and more for closer friends and family members.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I've honestly never been to a baptism where a gift was not given. And from all the baptisms i've attended, it was always cold hard cash. The only exception is the godparents, they'd normally give jewlery (usually a gold/white gold chain with a cross).

Well, then I don't think that it could be labeled a "Catholic" thing so much as maybe the area of the world/country one lives in. Perhaps in my neck of the woods, it is more of a "spiritual gift" type of thing; in others, it is money.

But, this is good to know that someday when my kids are baptized, I can put "No cash please" on their invites or whatever.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I have always given cash or savings bond as baptism gifts. The amount would depend on my relation to the child & parent. My jumping off point would be $50 for good friends and more for closer friends and family members.

Yes, around here, at least $50. For good friends and family, I give more. But it depends.

 

[design_mom]

I've already replied in this thread (my side of the family doesn't really do baptism gifts. DH's family was split between small cash gifts or physical "religious" gifts). Just wanted to point out that both sides of the family have been Catholic for generations... My inlaws (baby's grandparents) *might* have given $50, but i am confident no one else gave that much. So I don't think you can say that there is a single Catholic tradition. I think it comes down to local traditions or even individual families.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Well, then I don't think that it could be labeled a "Catholic" thing so much as maybe the area of the world/country one lives in. Perhaps in my neck of the woods, it is more of a "spiritual gift" type of thing; in others, it is money.

But, this is good to know that someday when my kids are baptized, I can put "No cash please" on their invites or whatever.

Youre right. It shouldnt be labelled as a catholic thing then. It definitely depends on your area/where youre from.

 

[FireDancer]

Around here most people give cash or a savings bond. Usually about $20. The only gifts I've ever seen were from immediate family like grandparents. We are, however, an area where almost all wedding gifts are cash so perhaps it is different in other places. I'm assuming infant baptism here.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

When my son was baptized (he was an infant) he received three gifts - one from his Godparents (my brother + wife), one from my best friend and one from my mom. Best friend got him a toy and mom gave me money which went towards a new toy. Godparents got him his baptism outfit. No one from my husband's side of the family gave him anything. I was baptized and had my first communion in Costa Rica many many years ago...I remember for my 1st Communion I got money from all my family members....as in every uncle and aunt possible.

 

[DebD4T]

My experience...

Godmother bought the christening outfit and dressed the baby that day.

Godfather bought the cross on a chain.

All other guests gave $$. About $50 average.

But we give $$ for pretty much everything. (and we cover our plate at weddings also LOL)

 

[J3nn78]

We had a baptism for my infant son last week (not catholic) Everyone gave cash ($25-50). He did not get any other gifts, just cash.