A christening is an important event in a child's life. While he or she might not understand it, the child's family certainly understands the spiritual importance of a christening. More often than not, a child's entire family will be invited to witness the event. Usually it is good etiquette for each spectator to bring a christening gift for the child. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide what to buy for a christening present. Today I would like to give you 5 solid ideas for choosing the best christening gifts.
1. Parental interests. Consider choosing a christening gift that will help shape the child's youth according to the interests of the parents. For example, if the parents are avid hikers perhaps a baby backpack or kids fishing equipment is in order. If the parents are active in sports, then an assortment of sporting goods could be a good choice.
2. Memory keepsake. Another great idea for a christening gift might be a memory box or scrapbook kit. This way the parents and child can store away precious items and pictures throughout the childhood years, so that they can look back at the wonderful loving memories years later. These are some of the most sentimental christening gifts that will be cherished over a lifetime. Creating a scrapbook is also a great bonding project for a mother and child, a memory that itself will be remembered for many years.
3. Future treasures. Some people decide to give a present that will pay off in the long terms. Something the child can turn to when they are much older. Something that will appreciate over time. One great example is savings bonds. After 15-20 years, a savings bond will be worth much more than you pay for it today. This could be a down payment on a vehicle or even a house when the child reaches his or her 20's. Another great idea is a bottle of wine. Left to mature for a good 15-20 years, a fine bottle of wine could be used to celebrate a momentous occasion in the child's life. Graduating from college, buying their first house, or even the the birth of their own child would be the perfect event to crack open a sentimental bottle of wine.
4. IOU. It may seem like a cop-out, but giving a child a promise-to-buy gift might be the best gift of all. Rather than buying a pair of shoes or a shirt that will be too small within 6 months, a great gift idea might be to promise to buy a business suit, tuxedo, dress shoes, or something else that will help the child succeed in college or the business world. A present like this could last a good 6-10 years rather than 6-10 months. The parents might not appreciate a gift like this as much today, but the child will be highly grateful tomorrow.
5. Gender considerations. Don't forget to think about the child's gender when selecting a christening gift. A girl might get years of memorable use out of a high quality doll or dollhouse. Some dolls, such as the American Girl doll collection, are collectibles, are guaranteed to last many years, and come with a lifetime warranty. For boy you could consider a highly collectible comic book or baseball card, or perhaps a set of die-cast metal cars like the Hot Wheels collection, that last many years and can some day be handed down to their own kids.
Use these tips to choose the perfect gift for a christening. You will be happy with the results, the parents will be eternally thankful, and the child will get years of pleasure from your present. No matter what you choose, remember that it is the thought that counts. Putting this much thought into your gift nearly assures that it will be the best choice for a christening gift.
