General Chat

for a little girl.

Any suggestions please?
She's being baptised into the RC church if that makes any difference.

Although we'd thought of a Rosary, would that normally be given by a Godparent?

A small first prayer book. Cross and chain. a rosary is not always from godparents but must be Blessed by the priest.

phyll

We bought smallest a silver baptism certificate holder in the shape of a scroll. He has his name and baptism details engraved on to it and bought silver crucifix for the two girls. They are all RC

Depends on how much you wish to spend. Just bought an ornament for a baby girl, crystal booties with pink heart on the front. Other suggestions .....charm bracelet which can be added to on special occasions, bible, first breakfast set (mug and bowl) premium bonds or jewellery box.

Would a plain Cross & Chain be acceptable? As you can gather, we're stuggling with differences between RC & CoE!

Is it usual for a Baptism name to be added to her registered one? If so, would the parents expect that to be included in any inscription?

Plain cross is fine DET. <3

Really appreciate all the suggestions - thank so much.

We bought my great niece a silver four leaf clover charm on a silver chain engraved with her initials as her ancestry on her mother's side is Irish.

Kath. x

Thank you Joan. Sounds 'different'!

Am not an RC but family members are and I seem to recall that at their confirmation they choose an extra name usually a 'holy' one - Saints or other.

You are quite right there Chris. I have a chosen extra holy name

How about a charm Bracelet .charms could be added as the years go by. gold cross first one or first initial .just a thought could be in a presentation box ,

Lots of ideas! Thank you :-)

When OH was asked to be godfather, we gave it some thought....

We found a teddy bear that could be written on... everyone who was at the baptism wrote a message on the bear.... we also bought a set of coins minted that year..... and a really good bottle of wine... which OH & godson enjoyed on his 18th birthday :-D

Godson is now 21 ... and he is a wonderful young man.

If it is a close relative or friend, we actually start a bank account for the little one ........... or give the parents a cheque with instructions to do that (it's often much it's easier for parents to start the bank account).

Every parent has been very appreciative of the idea ............ and keep the account going by putting birthday money etc in there.

You beat me to it Sylvs. I was going to suggest either a bank account or an ISA of some sort. This can be added to over the years by those who don't know what to buy at Christmas and on birthdays.

I have been looking at gifts for twin boys who are about to be confirmed. I have chosen to get each of them a small wall cross which commemorates the event and which I know their parents will put up in their rooms.

Too often, I have seen the usual gifts of bibles, trinkets etc, put to one side and never used, and have even found such things in charity shops which is so sad.


As for the service itself, the Sacrament of Baptism is the same in both the RC and the C. of E. though the form of service may differ

The Godparents will make similar promises of turning to Christ and renouncing evil.

Though the form of service may differ, the vows are the same.

I don't think Saints names have to be given anymore, but you may find the priest uneasy at baptising a child with a name such as 'Cuddly Bear' :-D

Hopefully, there will be baptism preparation classes for the parents and Godparents to attend - but not all parishes offer this.

There are similar guidelines laid down by Church law for the Godparents - age 16 or over - baptised etc... I don't think non-catholics are allowed to be Godparents but may be classed as 'Christian Witnesses'.

I always end the classes I run by saying that I hope they have a wonderful day, but to remember that the most important part is when the water is poured over the child's head. Hope this helps. Enjoy. <3

Thank you both.

Although I like the idea of a set of coins - I have one for the year I was born - we'll probably settle for a plain cross and chain. She does have some sort of savings account. We'll certainly consider giving a bit to be added to that.

Thanks to every one who has shared their ideas.

The last couple of times we were invited to a baptism we bought a book of bible stories. There are various books of these stories available and, because we know parents and godparents have often bought chains, crosses, lockets, bibles, spoons and specially-engraved items we have always played safe by buying a bible stories' book which can be read as bedtime stories for a few years.

Last time we went we got together with 2 sets of friends who were also at odds with what to buy. In the end we got £100s of premium bonds between us - 1 small win so far, money went into her savings account for (hopefully) university.

only proper nouns are capitalised

My OH and my mother were both brought up in the RC church. Neither have anything good to say about it. Children should be left free to make up their own mind about religion when they are older not inculcated with it at a young age.

A good start would be to remove religion from schools altogether.