My husband and I were asked to be my nephew's sponsors for his baptism at an ELCA church. I would like some suggestions for an appropriate gift for my nephew. I did not grow up in a church that performs infant baptism so I'm unfamiliar with the customs.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas. I found a great personalized gift for my nephew.
My sons were dedicated, but they received a birth verse that was framed that was nice. The verse matches their date of birth. Personally as a parent, I thought it was a great gift.
i agree that baptism gifts are a wide variety of things. for my daughter's baptism, my sister/brother were her godparents and bought her christening gown and got her a very pretty cross on a chain. from others she got a wide variety....my parents opened her her first bank account (but thats grandparents. we all know they spoil! haha); she got some clothes, savings bond, she also got a very cute childrens bible and some childrens books with popular religious stories, a picture frame..... it really is the thought that counts.
The gift doesn't need to be a big one. When my son was baptized the gifts varied from an outfit, to photo frames (a friend went to Things Remembered and got a silver frame engraved with his name and baptism date), and we got several savings bonds (which I think are an awesome gift).
I believe the gift should have some religious significance. Most Christian book stores have a baptism/Christening section. There's a book that I absolutely love & often give at baptisms. It is by Max Lucado and is called "Just in Case you ever wonder". A beautiful bedtime story book. The savings bond idea is a nice one, too. As the others said, it is the thought that counts.
If you live near an Ollie's store, they have a large Christian book section & they are deeply discounted.
I don''t know that church, we are Catholic. Usually people give money (cash, bonds) or jewelry (baby bracelet or crucifix/cross). I don't really like the knick-knacks some people give - picture frames or statuettes. I gave my neice a small nativity for her room tha tshe could use at Christmas. There are also a lot of cute books or children's bibles you can find at a Christian book store, but often these are a matter of taste and the parent's beliefs.
I suggest a savings bond. It will mature when he's ready for college.
we were either given something solid silver like a little finger plate or a tooth pot holder and also money to go towards a college fund
but what ever you can afford and feel cumfortable giving.
go to heaven and earth or another christian store and there are usually shelves or sections just for these types of things. i'd pick the photo frame that said babies baptism or symilar.
What a wonderful privilege and blessing for your husband and you. Some appropriate gifts this occasion would be something engraved with his name, like a rattle or a silver photo frame. Also, a small bible with the date of the ceremony and a personal note of well wishes from you written inside (something he can use later). A small cross that could be hung in his room. You get the idea - anything like a keepsake. Try Christian bookstores or Hallmark stores to get a flavor of what I'm talking about. Christmas Blessings to all of you.
I don't know what ELCA is but as a Catholic, we do infant baptisms and I have been both the parent of the child being baptized and the godparent/sponsor. As the parent I always enjoy receiving those things that my child can grow up with - savings bond, necklace they can wear forever, Bible, etc. As a godparent, I give either a small infant size ring that can later be worn on a necklace (usually the priest will bless it. They can pass it on to their little one someday) or I give a necklace with a medal of the child's patron saint or the Infant of Prague (a personal favorite:).
Congratulations on being chosen for this special event. It is a real honor and shows that the parents truly love and respect you!!
When I had my son baptized last year (catholic service), my aunt and uncle were the godparents (sponsors) and bought the christening outfit for us as well as a two small religious items - a bible board book and a framed print of his name and it's religous meaning. I was surprised at the christening outfit, but my aunt said that was their tradition - to buy their godchild the christening outfit.
In our family, we always gave savings bonds. If the parents can remember to put them someplace safe, they will make a nice down payment on a car or college. They also have gift suggestions in the store Things Remembered. My in laws gave us stuff from there.
