Grace Thompson
Attending a Catholic baptism is considered a great honour, as you are witnessing someone's birth into the faith. It is customary to bring a gift to celebrate the occasion, although it is not mandatory. The type of gift you bring may depend on your relationship to the person being baptised and your role in the ceremony. For example, if you are a godparent, it is traditional to bring a religious gift, such as a personalised Bible or a piece of jewellery featuring a cross. Family members may opt for something less religious, such as a keepsake or a personalised gift.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occasion | A joyous occasion worth celebrating |
| Gift-giving | Traditional, but not mandatory |
| Gift type | Religious, personalized, or non-religious |
| Gift ideas | Bibles, crucifixes, rosaries, jewellery, blankets, plaques, cards, toys, savings bonds, etc. |
| Gift presentation | Tasteful and neatly wrapped |
| Gift cost | Typically between $20 and $100 |
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What You'll Learn
Godparent gift-giving
Godparents are generally expected to give a gift at their godchild's Catholic baptism. It is a way to celebrate this special occasion and show their commitment to supporting the child's spiritual journey.
Traditional Catholic baptism gifts from godparents often include religious items, such as a personalised Bible, a crucifix, a rosary, or a delicate piece of jewellery featuring a cross. These gifts can be personalised with the child's name or the date of their baptism, making them treasured items that the family will keep throughout the child's life.
If you are looking for a more unique gift, you could consider a personalised baptism candle with the child's name and baptism date etched on it, a custom-made rosary with beads in the child's birthstone colour, or a piece of jewellery with the child's initials or baptism date. You could also give a personalised children's book, such as a "God Loves You" storybook, which includes the child's name.
For a gender-neutral option, engraved silver cups or spoons are well-regarded, and you could include the child's name or a meaningful quote or Bible verse. A keepsake box is another option that provides a safe place to store mementos from the baptism day, such as candles, outfits, trinkets, holy water, cards, and pictures.
If you are unable to attend the baptism, it is still appropriate to send a gift, such as a card with a heartfelt message or a small, meaningful gift like a personalised photo frame or religious token.
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Gifts for adults
Attending a Catholic baptism is considered a great honour, and it is customary to purchase a gift to celebrate the occasion. While most baptisms are for infants, you may sometimes be invited to a baptism for an adult. If you are invited to an adult's Catholic baptism, you may be wondering what an appropriate gift would be.
For adults, religious gifts are usually considered appropriate. A personalised Bible is a traditional gift for godparents to give, but other religious books can also be a thoughtful gift for adults. A journal for recording prayers or writing letters to God is another idea, or a plaque commemorating the occasion. If you think it would be well-received, you could give a candle to light during quiet time.
Religious jewellery is another common gift for adults, such as a delicate piece featuring a cross, or a necklace with a sign of trust in Mary's intercession. A St. Benedict medal is another option, inviting the wearer to be under St. Benedict's watchful care. A rosary is another gift idea, and these can be personalised.
If you are the godparent, it is traditional to bring religious gifts, but family members may want to choose something less religious. A monetary gift is one option, or you could give a memento of the occasion, such as a plaque.
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Gifts for babies
Attending a Catholic baptism is a great honour, as you are witnessing someone's birth into the faith. It is customary to bring a gift to commemorate the occasion. While there are no hard-and-fast rules, gifts are traditionally religious in nature, and often include:
Rosary beads
Rosary beads are a cherished symbol of devotion and a reminder of faith and prayer. They can be customised with beads in the child's birthstone colour and kept as a lifelong keepsake.
Children's Bibles
A Children's Bible is a traditional gift, often personalised with the child's name engraved on the cover and a special message inside. As the child grows, this gift becomes more precious as they delve deeper into their faith journey.
Crucifix necklaces
A crucifix necklace is a perfect gift for a Catholic baptism. It is recommended that every Catholic household has a crucifix, and a necklace ensures the child can always carry their faith with them.
Personalised candles
A personalised candle with the child's name and baptism date is a unique gift. Each time it is lit, it will serve as a reminder of their commitment to their faith.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Doll
These plastic Shining Light Dolls are adorable and perfect for little babies that love to chew on everything.
While these are some of the more traditional gifts, there are no rules. Gifts can be personalised or non-religious, such as toys, savings bonds, or a picture frame.
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Gift etiquette
If you are invited to a Catholic baptism, it is considered an honour and a sacred occasion. It is customary to bring a thoughtful gift to celebrate the occasion, even if you are not Catholic. The gift is a symbol of your support for the child's spiritual journey and a demonstration of your solidarity with the parents.
The type of gift you bring can depend on your role in the ceremony. For godparents, it is traditional to bring religious gifts such as a personalised Bible, a crucifix, a rosary, or a piece of jewellery featuring a cross. Family members may opt for something less religious.
If you are a close relative or godparent, you may want to give a personalised or higher-value gift. Friends or extended family can give something more modest but meaningful. Gifts do not need to be extravagant, and the typical range is between $20 and $100.
There are many traditional Catholic gifts, such as engraved silver cups, spoons, or plaques. You can also give a gift that is personalised, such as a blanket, a book, a photo frame, or a piece of jewellery. A gift that commemorates the day, such as a candle with the child's name and baptism date, is also a good idea.
If you cannot attend, it is still appropriate to send a card with a heartfelt message and a small gift to the family. You can send it before or after the event.
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Non-religious attendees
Attending a Catholic baptism is considered a great honour, and it is customary to bring a thoughtful gift to celebrate the occasion. If you are a non-religious attendee, there are many gift options that are respectful of the family's beliefs and the sacred nature of the occasion.
Firstly, it is important to note that you are not expected to give an extravagant or expensive gift. In fact, a simple card with a heartfelt message is a perfectly acceptable gift for a Catholic baptism. You could also send a small, meaningful gift, such as a personalised frame, to the family's home if you are unable to attend the baptism.
If you wish to give a gift that is more religious in nature, there are several options to consider. A rosary or crucifix is a cherished symbol of devotion that can serve as a daily reminder of faith and prayer. You could also give a personalised bible, perhaps with the child's name engraved on the cover, or a special message or scripture quote inside.
There are also several non-religious gift options that are still respectful of the family's beliefs. You could give a personalised storybook, custom photo frame, or a decorative plaque with a meaningful quote. A keepsake box is another option, providing a safe place to store mementos from the baptism day. If you are close to the family, you may also consider a monetary gift or a savings bond for the child's future.
Additionally, it is important to be mindful of your attire as a non-religious attendee. It is respectful to dress as you would for a wedding or other special occasion. For men, this could be a suit or sport coat with a tie, while women might wear knee-length dresses or skirts, or business pantsuits. It is also important to remain quiet during the ceremony and stand when requested to show reverence for the occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not necessary to bring a gift to a Catholic baptism, but it is traditional and considered a thoughtful gesture.
For babies, traditional gifts include religious items like rosaries, crucifixes, children's Bibles, and personalised items like blankets, bibs, gowns, or photo frames. For adults, traditional gifts include personalised Bibles, jewellery, plaques, or monetary gifts.
Yes, it is important to be respectful and mindful of the family's beliefs when selecting a gift. Gifts that are not religious in nature or do not hold any spiritual significance may be considered inappropriate.
