In short: A good christening gift stays with the child for a long time and recalls the day of the baptism: a guardian angel for the nursery, an olive wood cross, a pendant with a dove or a christening cloth to keep. Godparents usually give something with a faith connection, grandparents often something that grows with the family. There is no binding budget. Our ideas start at €9.90.
Baptism is the beginning of the path of faith. Anyone choosing a gift as godmother, godfather, grandma or grandpa wants to find something that is more than a toy. This article collects ideas that suit a christening and briefly explains what they mean.
What suits the occasion?
At a christening, people are baptised with water and received into the Church in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Typical signs of this are the cross (redemption), the dove (the Holy Spirit), the guardian angel (being kept safe) and light. Gifts that take up these signs therefore suit especially well.
Ideas for godparents
At the christening, godparents promised to accompany the child on their journey of faith. A gift with a religious connection recalls exactly that.
The guardian angel picture
A classic, because it suits the child and their sleep. Especially lovely is the guardian angel wall picture in a wooden frame (€19.90, blessed). For smaller walls there is the heart shape with two angels above the baby (€17.90) or the picture “Angel watching over a sleeping baby” (€17.90).
A cross for the nursery
A cross accompanies the child into the coming years. To choose from:
- Olive wood standing cross 18.5 cm (€29.90), can be taken apart, with base.
- Olive wood wall cross 16 × 9 cm (€19.90).
- Solid lime wood wall cross 30 cm (€19.90, blessed).
A pendant or necklace to keep
A baby does not yet wear a necklace, but you can keep one for later, for example until First Holy Communion. Lovely are the small cross pendant with cord and velvet pouch (€9.90) or the cross necklace with dove (€9.90, blessed). The dove stands for the Holy Spirit, who is promised at baptism. As a more valuable piece, the cross necklace in 925 sterling silver (€39.90, blessed) is suitable.
The christening cloth
The christening cloth, candle cloth 35 × 35 cm (€9.90) is white with gold embroidery and can go into the keepsake box after the celebration.
Ideas from grandparents
Grandma and grandpa often have more time and different possibilities. They like to give something that lasts a long time and stays in the family.
- A guardian angel for the wall as a sign that someone is watching over the child.
- A house blessing for the young family’s home: the olive wood house blessing wall plaque (€17.90).
- A holding cross for the parents: olive wood holding cross (€13.90, blessed).
- A letter for later: Write a few lines that the child can read at First Holy Communion or Confirmation. That is priceless and costs nothing.
Small gifts to bring on the christening day
Guests are often asked for something small too, especially with a large extended family. Among magnets, the guardian angel with lantern magnet (€13.90, blessed, with velvet pouch) is popular. It suits boys and girls and costs little.
Gifts by budget
- Up to €15: olive wood cross pendant with cord (€9.90), christening cloth (€9.90), guardian angel magnet (€13.90), holding cross (€13.90).
- €15 to €30: guardian angel pictures (€17.90 to €19.90), wall cross in olive wood or lime wood (€19.90), olive wood standing cross (€29.90).
- From €30: olive wood wall cross 30 cm (€39.90), sterling silver cross necklace (€39.90).
A tip for several godparents: join forces and give a larger piece together, which each of you provides with a card of your own.
A keepsake box for the christening
If you would like to give the child something lasting, put together a small keepsake box. In it go the christening cloth, a photo from the christening day, the baptismal verse and a letter. A cross pendant with velvet pouch, which the child can wear later at Communion, goes well with it. The box is kept until school age and then opened together. That way several small things become a gift that grows with the child and strengthens the bond with the godparents.
Many families also choose a baptismal verse from the Bible for the christening. You can write it by hand on the card that goes with the gift. Well known, for example, is the verse “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20, KJV), which is often read at christenings.
How much do you give?
There is no fixed rule. Godparents often give a little more than other guests, but it is the intention that counts. If in doubt, talk to the parents. A €10 gift with a personal letter can mean more than an expensive one without a greeting.
Blessed and with a certificate
A Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda blesses many of our items in our warehouse. A certificate card showing the date of the blessing is then enclosed with the parcel. Whether an item is blessed is stated in the title. A christening in the Protestant church is just as welcome: cross, angel and dove are shared Christian signs.
Keep reading and more to choose from
You will find all the ideas for christenings in the Christening gifts collection, angel motifs in the Guardian angels collection. You can read more about the background in the article Guardian angels: meaning, prayer and gift ideas. For the godchild’s First Holy Communion there is also a guide later: First Holy Communion gift from godparents.
Shipped via Amazon's logistics network – free within Germany, €5.90 to Austria and France; Italy €6.90, Spain €6.90. You have 30-day returns. It is best to order a few weeks before the christening so that there is enough buffer.
Frequently asked questions
What do you give for a christening as a godparent?
Typical are religious gifts such as a guardian angel picture, a cross or a necklace, plus a personal letter. It does not have to be expensive; the connection with the child is what counts.
What do grandparents give for a christening?
Popular are something for the nursery (guardian angel, cross), a house blessing for the family or a valuable piece that can be worn later at Communion.
How much does a suitable christening gift cost?
With us from €9.90. Most ideas lie between €10 and €40. There is no fixed sum.
Is a christening gift also suitable for a Protestant child?
Yes. Cross, angel and dove are known in both denominations. As for the blessing: our blessed items are blessed by a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda, which is noted in the title.
When do you hand over the christening gift?
On the christening day itself, usually at the celebration after the service. But you can also give it to the parents beforehand or deliver it personally later.
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