https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:04:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105331 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:07:13 +0000 sorrycharlie 105331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got savings bonds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105330 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:06:59 +0000 Boogs 105330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had one for our LO when he was the same age. We got a ton of cash, some jewelry (a tradition from immediate family), and a couple of cute little outfits from people. I've actually never heard that gifts HAVE to be religious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105313 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:55:04 +0000 Chillybear 105313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my family, we typically do religious trinkets, but i've also seen money, savings bonds and jewelry (Crosses, add a pearl necklace, charms, earrings, etc). One of the best gifts i got at my christening was 2 silver ingots. 28 years later i traded them in for almost $500 and put it towards my car down payment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105299 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:40:51 +0000 red_seattle 105299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A monogrammed blanket is a great idea, or engraving anything with "To Baby's Name, in honor of Baby's baptism Date" would be lovely, without being dishonest coming from an atheist. </p> <p>That said, I read that for infant baptisms, if you gave a gift at baby showers, then a baptism gift isn't necessary (not that gifts ever are, blah,blah, blah-- you know what I mean). But I was surprised by how many people who had given Baby X shower gifts also gave him baptism gifts too--- so maybe I'm totally wrong? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105233 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:42:45 +0000 mrs. wagon 105233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually buy an outfit from a really nice place like Janie and Jack with a gift receipt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105225 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:36:00 +0000 yoursilverlining 105225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’re atheists too, and sometimes give religious gifts for baptisms, but not trinket type gifts (books, mainly) – I don’t feel weird about it because I feel like just because I don’t believe doesn’t mean I don’t respect someone else’s beliefs. We also give silver or engraved type gifts – silver picture frames, cup/spoon, or something engraved like a simple bracelet or a brush set. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105221 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:30:33 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 105221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: I don't think you need to get an overtly religious gift at all! I would do something that the baby could keep forever as a memento of that day. Maybe a monogrammed blanket or some classic children's books with a handwritten message from you guys on the inside? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105109 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:30:20 +0000 twodoghouse 105109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone for all your great ideas! I love the idea of getting a Savings Bond and I won't feel like I'm compromising my beliefs (or non-beliefs?) by getting a religious gift when I really don't go in for that sort of thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105085 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:17:43 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 105085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband grew up Catholic and I have been to a confirmation but not a Baptism. We did give a religious gift at the confirmation. But I would give something you feel comfortable with. I really like the idea of giving money for a college fund or something more practical along with a card. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-105078 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:15:05 +0000 T.H.O.U. 105078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its typical to give a religious gift for a baptism, but I don't think you should just do a trinket because they are a waste of money. I'm sure they would appreciate something more practical, even something like a picture frame. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104942 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:07:15 +0000 MamaMoose 104942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I wouldn't go religious. I'm sure your friends wouldn't expect that knowing your beliefs. What about a contribution to a 529 plan or whatever savings plan they have in place for the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104938 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:03:20 +0000 pelikila 104938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always give a keepsake type of thing like baby china or a sliver plated cup or comb, piggy bank, or jewelry box. I certainly wouldn't expect the gifts to be only religious themes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104930 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:58:35 +0000 cvbee 104930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm Catholic, and I wouldn't expect gifts from anyone. However, I'm sure most will probably give a gift. </p> <p>I would find it weird if my athiest friends gave baby a Catholic gift. I say, get the baby a normal baby gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104925 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:56:21 +0000 mediagirl 104925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband was just at a Baptism two weekends ago, he is the god father to his best friend's baby. We gave them money for her college education and a cute outfit that she can wear later. We did give them a card that said something about Baptism but wasn't OVERLY religious. Neither of us are very religious (though we go to church here and there) so we didn't feel like a religious gift from us would be appropriate.</p> <p>If you're not sure what they will do with the money, do a savings bond or find out if they have a college savings acct you can deposit to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104904 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:33:37 +0000 tequiero21 104904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>not really familiar with catholic baptism, so i'm with the ladies above, something personalized and non-religious sounds nice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104889 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:20:28 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 104889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Traditionally, baptism gifts are supposed to be a religious trinket of some sort, but I don't know how rigid people are about this anymore. I think a non-religious keepsake of some sort would be fine, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104887 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:19:55 +0000 regberadaisy 104887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would agree with going with a non religious gift as well.<br /> I think rosaries and such are more apt coming from family members anyways.</p> <p>What about something personalized? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104883 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:19:04 +0000 heffalump 104883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm Jewish so I don't have much advice, but I wouldn't go religious. Id want to give something more practical. Or personalized gifts are always fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104882 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:18:54 +0000 Smurfette 104882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My go to gift for baptism is a piggy bank, if I know that they don't have one already. I nice ceramic or sterling silver one. My family will give the silver cups, combs, etc. I have some saving bonds that I got for mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104877 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:14:49 +0000 chopsuey 104877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would get the baby something non-religious especially since you're not Catholic/religious. Hurmm.. 6 months old put everything in their mouths, so how about something he can play with/chew on? Or clothes? I would suggest books, but my LO JUST started "reading" books at 1 years old. She ruined a lot of good books by tearing and chewing them apart.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-clueless-about-baptisms-can-you-help-me#post-104872 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:12:19 +0000 twodoghouse 104872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our friends' son is getting Baptized (Catholic) this Saturday. After the Baptism, our friends are having some people over for a casual cook-out. That seems great, but I'm wondering about the gift situation? My husband and I are atheists, so my first inclination is to get something that is not overtly religious.</p> <p>However, one of my co-workers said we have to get the baby a religious "Baptism-themed" gift because...that's what you do at a Baptism? She suggested a Precious Moment or a baby rosary from a local Catholic store. My friends are not Precious Moment/trinket-y people, if you know what I mean. A baby rosary seems cute, but is it disingenuous to give a baby a religious gift when you don't believe in god? (Our friends know, by the way, that we are atheists, so it's not like a secret or anything.)</p> <p>What are your thoughts on this? If we do not go the religious gift route - any other suggestions? The baby is 6 months old, so he doesn't really need any "typical baby things" anymore. At least...I don't think so. Thanks in advance everyone! </p>