Choosing a christening gift is about finding something that marks this special spiritual milestone in a baby's life. You want a gift that feels appropriate for the occasion, something the family will appreciate and that honours the significance of the day.
Whether you're a godparent, family member, or close friend attending a christening in Ireland, this guide will help you find gifts that balance tradition with practicality. We've focused on christening gifts that families genuinely treasure, from meaningful keepsakes to quality items that will last as the child grows.
What Makes a Great Christening Gift?
- Significance: Christening gifts often carry more meaning than regular baby gifts; they mark a spiritual occasion worth remembering
- Longevity: the best gifts are things that last beyond babyhood—either as keepsakes or items that grow with the child
- Thoughtfulness: consider whether the family values traditional religious symbols or prefers more subtle, modern approaches
- Personal connection: especially for godparents, the gift should reflect your role in the child's life
Christening Gift Ideas
Symbolic Keepsakes
For godparents, family members, or friends who want to give something spiritually meaningful.
Small symbolic gifts carry deep meaning at christenings. Guardian angels, in particular, represent protection and guidance, themes central to the christening ceremony itself. These aren't expensive or elaborate, but they're appropriate for the occasion and serve as gentle reminders of the child's baptism day.
In particular, the Congratulations or Baby boy Guardian Hanging Angel is a lovely affordable option that can hang in the nursery or be kept as a keepsake. It's simple, meaningful, and works whether the family is deeply religious or simply honouring tradition.
Perfect for guests who aren't godparents but want to give something appropriate, or as an addition to a larger gift.
Quality Irish Baby Blankets
McNutt of Donegal creates blankets that become family heirlooms. These aren’t throwaway baby items, they’re beautifully made Irish textiles that last years and often get passed down. For a christening, a quality blanket represents warmth, comfort and care - fitting symbols for welcoming a child into a faith community. Parents will use these daily during the baby years and they often become the blanket a child asks for years later.
A possible gift could be the McNutt of Donegal Pink flamingo Baby Blanket or the Pirate Blue Baby Blanket are both playful yet high quality. They work as christening gifts because they’re special enough for the occasion but practical enough to become part of daily life.
Ideal for godparents or grandparents who want to give something substantial and lasting.
Memory Preserving Photo Frames
For godparents or family members who want to help preserve the memory of the christening day.
Newbridge specialises in creating beautiful keepsake items that help families preserve important moments. A photo frame specifically for a christening photo becomes a treasured item - something that sits on a shelf or mantle for years, reminding the family of this special day. These frames are well made and designed to last, not cheap novelty items that fall apart.
Additionally, the newbridge rabbit photo frame offers a gentle, classic design that suits a christening without being overly religious. The rabbit motif is sweet without being babyish, so it can hold the christening photo for years without looking out of places as the child grows.
Traditional vs Modern Christening Gifts
- Traditional christening gifts typically include religious symbols: crosses, rosary beads, guardian angels, or prayer books. These honour the spiritual nature of the occasion directly and work well for families who are actively religious. If you know the family attends church regularly or values religious tradition, these gifts feel appropriate and meaningful.
- Modern christening gifts focus more on practicality and longevity: quality clothing, blankets, keepsake boxes, or photo frames. These acknowledge the occasion without being overtly religious, which suits families who are christening more out of tradition than deep religious conviction. They're also more versatile if you're unsure about the family's level of faith.
- The middle ground is often the best approach: items like guardian angel keepsakes or quality blankets that can be used daily. These respect the occasion without requiring the family to be deeply religious to appreciate them.
Explore Our Christening Gifts
If you're looking for christening gifts that honour the occasion while being genuinely useful or treasured, you can explore our full range here → Shop Christening Gifts
FAQ
What is an appropriate christening gift in Ireland?
An appropriate christening gift in Ireland can be either traditional (religious symbols like guardian angels or crosses) or practical (quality blankets, photo frames, or keepsake items). What matters is that the gift acknowledges the significance of the day. For godparents, more substantial gifts like quality Irish blankets or silver keepsakes are common. For guests, smaller meaningful items like guardian angel ornaments work well.
Should christening gifts be religious?
Not necessarily. While traditional christening gifts often include religious symbols, modern families appreciate practical, high-quality gifts that mark the occasion without being overtly religious. Items like quality baby blankets, photo frames for the christening photo, or keepsake boxes work beautifully. The gift should respect that a christening is a spiritual milestone, but it doesn't need to be a cross or bible to be appropriate. Consider the family's level of religious practice when deciding.
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.