A christening gift is a personal keepsake for the child, which the family can display or keep safe. The best choice is often a combination of something to keep, like a money box or a cup, and something that brings joy in everyday life. There's no fixed rule for the amount or type, so choose what feels right for you.
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If you've been invited to a christening and aren't sure what to bring, you're far from the only one. Unlike many other gifts, a christening gift should ideally be able to withstand years of use or display, and it should suit a child whose personality no one knows yet.
This guide goes through what typically suits the occasion, how to approach money and gift cards, and how much people normally give, so you can shop without spending far too long thinking it over.
The short answer: a gift you can keep
A christening gift is a greeting to the child, not just a nice gesture towards the parents. The best starting point is to think in two directions: something the child can keep as a memento of the day, and something the family actually gets enjoyment from in everyday life. Combine the two, and you'll rarely go wrong.
What suits a christening?
A christening gift is a gift for the child, even though it's naturally the parents who receive it and unwrap it. This means you can think a bit more classically than you might for an adult's birthday. Something of good quality that can withstand years of use or display is rarely a mistake. You don't yet know the child's personality, so it makes sense to choose something that suits most homes and isn't just a fleeting pleasure.
Gifts you can keep: money box, cup or wall decoration
Many people choose a gift that can be kept and used again and again. A money box is a classic choice and works both as decoration and as the child's first savings box. In the shop, you'll find a guinea pig, a dachshund, a fox or a wild boar as a money box, all from Quail. A cup or a small mug is another option that the child can grow into, for example a cup with a rainbow pattern or one with oranges, both from Bloomingville MINI. If you'd rather give something more decorative than functional, a swallow porcelain figure is a calm and simple choice.
See the whole range of christening gifts or take a look at money boxes if you'd like to start there.
Tip: Combine a money box with a small amount inside. That way, the child gets both something to keep and something to keep on to.
Gifts for the child's room
If the gift should hang on the wall instead of standing on a shelf, wall decoration for the children's room is an obvious direction. A ceramic wall hanging, for example in the shape of a blue or yellow moon, adds a calm touch to the room without taking up much space. If you're into colours, a wall hanging with lemons from Caja Company is a more playful suggestion. If the family has already decorated the room, a wool rug, such as the tiger rug or dragon rug from Bongusta, or the leopard and crocodile rug from Doing Goods, can also be used as a soft touch on the floor or wall.
See more options under wall decoration for the children's room.
Find more ideas in the shop's collection of christening gifts.
See christening giftsAbout money and gift cards for christenings
Some guests prefer to give money rather than a physical item, and there's nothing wrong with that. An amount placed in a money box is a popular solution, as the gift is both practical and becomes part of the child's first savings. There's no official rule for what a christening gift should cost, or whether it should be money or an item, so it's completely fine to do what feels right for you. If you'd like to give a specific amount without having to find cash, gift cards from Dims Studio are available in several amounts, so the recipient can choose the gift themselves afterwards.
How much should you give?
There's no fixed rule for how much you should give as a christening gift. The most important thing is that the amount feels natural to you, and that the gift suits your relationship with the family. If you have an amount in mind, it can make it easier to browse the right shelves, for example gifts in the price range 1-200 DKK or 200-400 DKK. If you're unsure what's reasonable in your situation, you can read more in the article about how much you should spend on a gift.
Frequently asked questions
What do you give as a christening gift?
A gift that can either be kept as a keepsake, for example a money box or a cup, or used in the child's room, such as wall decoration. Many combine it with a small amount of money.
How much do you give as a christening gift?
There's no fixed rule, but an amount that feels natural to you is a good starting point. Have a look at the price ranges to find gifts that match your budget.
Is it okay to give money as a christening gift?
Yes, many people give an amount, often placed in a money box, and it's a completely normal solution.
What do you give as a christening gift for a boy or a girl?
Classic gifts such as a money box, cup or wall decoration suit both, as colours and motifs can be chosen to taste rather than gender.
What do you give as a gift if you're not close to the family?
A gift card or a simple classic gift, such as a money box or cup in a lower price range, is a safe choice when you don't know the family's taste in detail.
Should the christening gift be wrapped?
Yes, that's part of the tradition. Feel free to check out the article on gift wrapping for inspiration.
Summary
A good christening gift doesn't need to be complicated. Choose something that can be kept as a keepsake, or something that can be used in the child's room, and let the budget be whatever feels right for you. If you combine a classic gift with a small amount of money, you'll hit both the tradition and the practical side.
Read also
- How much should you spend on a gift? Rules and advice
- Gift for a new mum: The perfect choice
- Decorate the children's room with colours and personality
- Gift wrap and wrapping: Complete the gift
Ready to find the right christening gift?
Explore our handpicked selection and find a gift that can both be kept and used.
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