rachel m Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 just wondered if anyone has any original christening gift ideas? i am trying to think of something that she won't have already been given as a baby shower/newborn baby gift, and expect that other people will get all the usual silver/personalised/jewelery gifts. any suggestions gratefully received rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 How much do you want to spend? Premium bonds last forever and could prove 'useful' in future - but there is a minimum investment these days unfortunately. If the parents a have a garden a fruit tree would be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel m Posted May 14, 2008 Author Share Posted May 14, 2008 i like the idea of a tree, perhaps a small potted one like an acer they could take with them if they move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I found it really difficult to think of a christening present for our first grandchild. I remember googling 'christening gifts' to get some ideas, and being horrified at the absolute rubbish on offer I really don't do schlocky sentimental stuff. We ended up buying a tree, which is planted in the other grandparents garden plus I bought him a Wedgewood 'Peter Rabbit' bowl and mug set from John Lewis, which is very cute but I've never seen him use it For my second grandchild, a girl, I bought a silver bangle from a jewellry making friend of mine. You could always go the Oxfam route and buy a farmer a goat and the baby gets a picture of the goat Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 An eglu and 2 chickens?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 If you don't want to do the traditional jewellery/bible/silver things, then there are some lovely picture books available. There is a great one called 'Stories Jesus told' which my son loved (and still does). There is also a nice Noah's ark book, which I gave my Godson last year with great repetitive rhymes in it which young children will love. I'm assuming it's a baby!! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stories-Jesus-Told-Favorite-Bible/dp/1859855881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210761548&sr=8-1 I couldn't find the Noah's Ark book I meant, but I came across this wooden Noah's Ark with shape sorter animals. It would make a lovely present. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-Noahs-Ark-sorter-magnetic/dp/B000YCTN6Q/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=toys&qid=1210761675&sr=8-15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little cluckers Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 When my bestest friend (!) had her baby 18months ago, my children all chose their favourite childhood book (they're now 16, 14, 6 & 6 so it was a nice range ) and wrote inside the cover a note to the baby explaining what they loved about it (which was quite sweet as the little ones could only just write). She loved the personal touch and they have pride of place on top of his bookshelf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 My ED has a lovely pewter tooth pot for putting her fallen baby teeth in for the tooth fairy. It has been used by all of the children. It is small and neat and could sit on any shelf throughout her life as a keepsake. My husband still has a silver spoon and pusher which was given to him by one of his godparents and they were used by all of our children as a stepping stone towards a knife and fork - the pusher is shaped like a mini rake without the prongs and the spoon bowl is turned by 90 degrees which picks up the food pushed onto it by the pusher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 if the gift has anything to do with the occasion - then I'd buy a board-book of bible stories - or a lift-the-flap - the kind of book that can actually be used - read with the child - or chewed by the child - rather than a "precious" bible that will sit gathering dust on the shelf - or a spoon (never understood that) or jewelry (again - never understood that) else - if it doesn't have owt to do with the occasion - buy a doll or a tonka toy or a bit of Bob-the-Builder merchandise.... there are loads of fantastically illustrated toddler/baby board books around nowadays - as Ginette has pointed out, and far better that is is something the child can get his/her hands on.... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel m Posted May 14, 2008 Author Share Posted May 14, 2008 thanks for the great alternative ideas, am off to the shops to see what i can find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Something that will outlive the baby stage is good ... I got my niece a silver photo-frame on the basis that it could be used then (by her mum) and would be something she could use later in life. I'm not keen on child-sized jewellery, as revnev says, what's the point! And I have a beautiful white bible that was given to me, it's barely been out of its box because it was far too precious to use. If you're at all handy, then a sampler is nice with the name and date of birth on? Or you can get plates painted with the date, time, weight etc., I'm not sure where but it's bound to be online somewhere. Let us know what you get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 We always buy "childrens bonds". The money is invested tax free up to the childs 16th birthday. The bond gains annual intrest plus bonus' and at 16 years of age when the bond matures the child can spend it on what ever they want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 you could adopt an animal?? or name a star?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 When my bestest friend (!) had her baby 18months ago, my children all chose their favourite childhood book (they're now 16, 14, 6 & 6 so it was a nice range ) and wrote inside the cover a note to the baby explaining what they loved about it (which was quite sweet as the little ones could only just write). She loved the personal touch and they have pride of place on top of his bookshelf. I absolutley love that idea and will put it by for the next christening I'm invited to . Really lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMitch Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I was given this and still love it as much today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 The best things we got that were different for Ash's christening were The Baby Boys bible (they do a girl version too all the stories are short and simple versions of the biggie's like Noah and the loaves and fishes with lovely pictures) A poster of a tree with spaces to write the family tree in. A photo album with sliver frame front cover with christening on it, We showed it to everyone and everyone commented on the album as much as the photo's If its a young baby you could also get a picture frame of the 1st year We got one its like a clock with small spaces round the edge for birth 1 month 2 months etc and the large hole in the middle is for 1 year, We got it when Ash was born and loved filling it in each month and watching him change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 We've got that book Madmitch. It's really lovely and there's lots to think about in it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I made my friends' baby a stained glass Peter Rabbit to hang in his bedroom window. Apparantly he always looks at it if he's having a Beatrix Potter story. Good luck with the prezzie hunt. There are some brilliant suggestions here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
