Ok, so I have a very good friend that is baptizing her 5th child on Saturday. I have never been to a Baptism, so I really don't know the appropriate protocol. Do I take a gift for the parents, the child or the siblings. I'm so confused. I thank you all in advance for your advice as always...Mom's ROCK!!!
Here are a few ideas:
- What about a donation to charity in honor of this wonderful occasion?
- What about a corsage or flower arrangement for the mom?
- What about child-appropriate books (board books), like Bible stories or other religious books?
- If they are Catholic, a rosary or crucifix is always nice
- Visit a local religious or Catholic book store for other little gift ideas or gift sets
It is my personal opinion that if you are invited to a baptism the family must consider you very close friends...almost family; therefore, it is only proper to bring a gift. That doesn't mean it has to be expensive but you should bring something for the baby. I like the idea of a children's bible and you can write a message in it. If they are catholic a child rosary is a nice gift. Another wonderful and very thoughtful gift are these blocks. You wouldn't receive it by this weekend but you could print a picture and put it in a card. They are really neat...
I have always given a gift - a frame, a cross, or something of that nature or savings bonds are great gifts also. I do not think that you have to bring a gift for the child if you do not want to. I certainly think that your attendance is a great gift in itself.
I believe that a gift for child is appropriate, but not expected. In saying that, may I suggest a wonderful website for baptism gifts. www.tinyblessings.com They are fabulous.
When I baptized my boys, the only people that brought gifts were my husband and I (a Bible and a prayer to hang on the wall), and the grandparents (money for the college fund). Other than that, the aunts and uncles, just brought cards. Personally, I don't think this is a time for gifts.
Do a gift for the baby. Good gifts are picture frames so they can put pics in from the ceremony, crosses, kiddie bibles, etc. One thing I got that I loved was a cross for my son, with his name on it. they got it painted and it was very pretty.
When my son was baptised, he received a stained glass cross and picture frame that matched. The frame contained a poem, but could be replaced with a photo from his baptism. I loved it!
Some people take small gifts to Baptisms, but not all. It is certainly not expected unless you are close family or a godparent. I would suggest something small... a book of childrens bible stories or prayers perhaps. Go visit a Mardel or other Christian bookstore and I am sure you'll get tons of ideas.
Kudos to Sarah and Dianna! Such tokens are nice.
I kind of agree also about it not being time for gifts:
What GREATER gift could anyone give a child than to witness such an event?
Maybe I am kind of "different" in my views of the role of those invited to celebrations of certain events: Ideally, in my mind, if someone is invited as a guest, they are to be WITNESS to the promises made, (be it a baptism, marriage, or other commitment made. And as witnesses, wouldn't it be wonderful if they were all present and felt a responsibility to help in keeping the commitment, by example and guidancece? even in little ways? Okay, I know I dream, but WOULDN'T it be wonderful?
We just had our daughter baptized last weekend, and the only people that gave gifts were the godparents and grandparents. A cross or a picture frame is always nice, if you want to get something.
