How much to give for baptism in NY?

[frannn]

It's for DH's cousin's new son. Dinner afterwards at a restaraunt on Long Island. DH, DD6, and I will go. I'm thinking cash or a savings bond would be an approprate gift. How much is customary these days?

 

[java]

Totally your call.

How close are you? Close I give anywhere from $50-$100. Not close $25-$50. Have a nice time and don't worry about the gift. I have 4 children and to me it was more about the celebration than the gifts for a baptism. The thing that means the most is that you are ATTENDING. imho.

 

[frannn]

Posts from 2007 are mentioning 125 . Am I wrong in thinking that is waaaaaay high? I'm thinking of a savings bond with a face value of 150.

 

[HayGan]

Posts from 2007 are mentioning 125 . Am I wrong in thinking that is waaaaaay high? I'm thinking of a savings bond with a face value of 150.

Unless it is an immediate relative I do not like giving savings bonds because I do not like getting (or giving) social security numbers.

I would give what you feel comfortable with. $50 - $75 seems reasonable.

 

[a1tinkfans]

hundred would be average here This CASH gift thing is so over rated, NUTS if you ask me!

You COULD get some cute outfits and package them nice in a pretty gift bag, maybe hit some sales to save you some $$ too. I used to think that I should "cover the food" for weddings, celebrations etc, but I am straying from that now. I feel like you should give what you want too and not be dictated by the "cost" of the event.
I have communion for dh nephews child (they have 5 kids) and I have been to Everything, goodness I feel like it is every week so I am BUYING something, whether it is a gift card or whatever....I mean the thing is I Really think for them it is about "the party" rather than about the religious celebration, so won't they be surprised when he gets a "funky silver cross on a leather cord" as a gift??? and no cash.... We shall see, I do not feel the need to fork over cash for it....but thats just me...I think I am getting old

 

[3happydancers]

We live in Long Island and recently celebrated my niece's son's christening. We gave $50.00. But to be honest, our rule is to give what you can afford. For our family, it's more important to celebrate the occassion by spending the day together rather than to focus too much on the amount of the gift. I am sure no matter what you decide, your gift will be very much appreciated!

 

[MoniqueU]

I would give a precious moments religious item and 50 dollars. I much appreciated the little momentos more then the cash. But then again these aren't big celebrations here in CA at least not in my family.

 

[Avonlady1001]

We live in Long Island and recently celebrated my niece's son's christening. We gave $50.00. But to be honest, our rule is to give what you can afford. For our family, it's more important to celebrate the occassion by spending the day together rather than to focus too much on the amount of the gift. I am sure no matter what you decide, your gift will be very much appreciated!

Long Islander here too. Except I live ON Long Island, how can you live "in" an island? Sorry, just one of those things I like to argue about. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your rule about giving what you can afford. As a matter of fact, I just had a HUGE argument about this with my DH...when 2 of his friends got married. One gave us a very generous amount for our wedding, 6 years ago. Now DH says we have to give the same amount back. We are now a family of 4 (2kids) with a mortgage living on one income....no WAY could we afford to give what he gave. So we gave, still more than I say we could afford, but a more comfortable amount. The 2nd wedding was the same argument!

Now, my DS is getting baptized in a month, so on that note, I say the proper gift is about $100,000,000! LOL Really, though, give what you want. More if you are close like PP's said, less if you're not...but in my family, if you're not close or family, you're not invited. So that's easy. I don't mind savings bonds...you don't need the baby's SS# to give one, you can use yours (or anyone's really). I've never had a problem giving it out to family members who ask for it, after all, I know why they're asking.

Have fun at the party! That's the main thing!