Appropriate for a Christening?

magenta321 · #1 11-22-2006, 08:21 PM

My friend is having her daughter Christened or Baptised or whatever this weekend. She sent out the invites at the last minute, and I was already scheduled to work it

I talked my boss into letting me go early, so I can attend the reception, but not the ceremony.

I am having trouble with what to give. I wanted to give her diamond earrings, but her ears aren't pierced yet, they'd be small, the selection with screwbacks at my store is limited, and... I'm not in love with the idea. There's no other jewelry I'd like to give.

I don't want to give clothes. Everyone probably will.

I don't really want to give a general gift certificate, because I did that for her baby shower. I don't want her to think I forget to buy presents so I run out at the last second to get a general gift cert.

I was thinking that I'd get her a gift certificate to get photos of her daughter taken. It's just before Christmas, so it's a good time to do it anyway. It's something that the baby and her parents will benefit from, as well as many other people.

Is this an appropriate gift?

If I do it, is Sears a good "portrait studio?"

**pippadaisy**[$] · #2 11-22-2006, 09:05 PM

Yes, appropriate, but no, not a "good" studio. They are hit and miss for quality and dirt cheap.

A "good" studio is um... let me think.. Olan Mills or Picture People, if you have them there.

Oh, and perfect jewelry for christening? Pearls. Little add-a-pearls. I got one for mine, and Beanie for hers. They are tiny for wee ones, and then family can add on for holidays, special birthdays, etc.

Of course, mine still isn't complete... I hope one day...

magenta321 · #3 11-22-2006, 09:24 PM

Add a pearl only comes from one jewelry store, and it ain't mine

Besides, I really can't justify buying a pearl for twenty bucks when I can buy a whole strand of AAA Akoyas for under $100. I'm just sayin'

I'll see if there's a picture people in my mall. The name sounds familiar. I know she shops at my mall, that's why I'd like to do it there. I don't know any of the stores out where she lives (she lives a bit far away).

**Prepoia**[$] · #4 11-22-2006, 09:51 PM

Religious stores (and most Hallmarks) usually carry items for bastisms and christenings that are just right and with a wide price range for items.

**thinkerlady**[$] · #5 11-22-2006, 10:21 PM

I think the little diamonds would be appropriate, but expensive. It depends on how close the friend is. I think jewelry is a perfect choice. And if it isn't infant jewlery then something she can wear as she gets older. Maybe her ears aren't pierced now, but will her mom allow them to be at some point?

A little necklace is also cute. I did receive several necklaces for my daughter's baptism. We still have them today. We also received a pewter "piggy bank", that was really a puppy dog. That was cute on her dresser.

A keepsake is always appropriate.

magenta321 · #6 11-22-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

thinkerlady said

I think the little diamonds would be appropriate, but expensive.

I could probably get her diamond earrings for the price of a nice outfit. I get a nice discount.

I don't love children's jewelry, which is why I am not buying her a ring or a bracelet. I'm afraid she'll choke on them. They don't "grow" well either. They'll be used for a very short time. I don't want to get her a necklace because I'm sure she'll get crosses from someone. Otherwise, we have an adorable little diamond cross I'd get her.

I don't wanna buy her religious stuff. There's something about people making a buck on religion that I don't like. Plus, her parents are not at all religious.

I think I'll go with the photo idea if it's not a terrible faux-pas.

Their home is in a perpetual state of disorder -- they started remodelling... at least 5 years ago... the walls are still bare studs the last time I was there -- I'm afraid anything I get would go into storage with all their other crap and be forgotten for a long time -- until she's too old to use it. Pictures, unlike children's jewelry, get better with age

**amykhar** · #7 11-22-2006, 11:27 PM

What about a charm bracelet that will fit when she's older with a charm of some sort that's meaningful?

**Prepoia**[$] · #8 11-23-2006, 12:30 AM

Traditionally (and somewhat ethnically) most in our family gave money. I know that some people think money is tacky but...I've never found it to be.

A lot of people have been giving photo albums or frames for such occasions.

And I wouldn't worry about her getting the same kind of necklace. Each necklace would have its own merit. So four cross necklaces would be fine because each is different.

Or...you could get a gift of having the baby's picture taken

**hadassahchana**[$] · #9 11-23-2006, 09:19 AM

Children's jewelry can be so cute, though. I still have my baby bracelet, and although I can't wear it, I like having it. This little girl might really love seeing how tiny her wrist was when she's an adult, and moms love stuff like that, too.

Have fun at the reception.

**jgibson2**[$] · #10 11-23-2006, 10:07 AM

I really like the photo idea, but you need to know that any photo studio where you buy a gift certificate is going to also try to sell them lots more pictures. Up to them to resist, or not, as they see fit. They could use money other people give them to add to your gift and that would be really nice.

I don't have girls, so the idea of jewelry doesn't do much for me and if they're not at all religious, then why on earth are they having a Christening? Is this because someone in the family is pressuring them, or as a gift opportunity? Sorry to be cynical, but I just think a Christening ought to mean something to the parents.