If you’ve been invited to a christening, baptism or naming ceremony, you’ve probably been on the lookout for the perfect christening gifts to give to the guest of honour.
The good news is there are plenty of christening gifts to choose from, whether you're shopping for a baby or an older child.
For infants, you might lean towards a cherished keepsake or prefer a practical gift that parents will appreciate. Perhaps you like the thought of a traditional memento little ones and grown ups can treasure, or you'd like to get something the child can enjoy right away. Our curated round-up of the best christening gifts has something for everyone.
Our pick of the best christening gifts
1.
Personalised book of daily blessings
Best christening gift book to personalise
This large personalised book features the baby’s name and the date of their christening both on the front and on the inner pages. Inside the book, there a number of short rhyming prayers and blessings and child-friendly illustrations. One reviewer said: "Absolutely thrilled with the book for my friend's son. The creator and seller even got it out earlier than the time given for delivery as I had explained the christening would be before the delivery date and nowhere near where I lived. Even though he didn't think this would give him enough time to create it, I actually did receive it three days early than expected. I can't thank him enough and it's truly worth every single penny. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Handmade
- Beautiful illustrations
Cons
- Can't add your own photos
Best christening gift for keepsakes

This vintage-style memory box is a really thoughtful gift for a young baby as it gives their parents somewhere safe to keep all those little treasured bits and pieces from their early years. Children will love looking at these mementoes when they’re older and who knows? They may even be able to share it with their children one day. One reviewer said: "I wanted to give my goddaughter a unique gift on the day she got christened. She doesn’t need clothes or toys so I thought that this little keepsake box would be perfect. She’ll be able to put (or should I say her parents) a lock of hair, first tooth and hospital wrist band which was kept after she was born and any other small keepsakes she may have for when she is older. The box is made out of wood with a raised pink elephant and a pink heart to the front. The box has hinges which make it easy to open and close. Really cute and recommended for birthdays, baby showers and christenings."
Pros
- Easy to open
- Affordable price
- C
Cons
- Some reviewers say it's quite delicate
3.
Personalised Noah's Ark Engraved Wood Stool
Best christening gift stool
This gorgeous wooden stool would look adorable in a little one’s nursery or playroom. The Noah’s Ark design has some religious significance and the cute animals will also appeal to young children. It can be laser engraved with the baby’s name and the date of their christening. The stool is made from pine so it's very sturdy. One reviewer said: "I took a risk and bought three of these for all 3 children in the family getting Christened on the same day. I cannot recommend these enough. I was over the moon by the size and quality of these fabulous stools. These are a lifetime gift that can be used for years and years and even passed down the generations. I am confident they will be loved by both the adults and children as they grow into them."
Pros
- Customised engravings
- Each one is unique (different grains)
Cons
- May grow out of it quickly
Best christening toy gift

www.scandiborn.co.uk
Suitable from 18 months, a Noah’s Ark toy makes a wonderful decoration when a baby is tiny but it’s also a really fun toy to play with as they get a bit older. We adore the muted colours and cute chunky pieces in this 25-piece Scandinavian-style wooden set. There's a nice selection of animals, including monkeys, lions, elephants, crocodiles and even pigeons. Little ones will love opening and closing the door to the ark and putting everyone safely inside. One reviewer said: "I am delighted with the Noah's Ark and animals. It was bought for as a gift for a two-year-old, who is crazy about animals. She loves playing with them. The service I received was also very good. The order came quicker than expected."
Pros
- Durable material
- Perfect size for small hands
Cons
- Small
Best christening jewellery gift

www.hersey.co.uk
This pretty sterling silver baby bangle is a perfect piece of treasure. With a handy expander, it will adjust to grow as they do. A truly elegant gift for a special occasion. One reviewer said: "Very, very pretty and if (like me) you are a bit of a minimalist, absolutely perfect. It's quite a plain band, but we were offered several different fonts for the engraving of the child's name." For a baby, we thought that something not too fancy was just what we wanted."
Pros
- Great choice of fonts available
- Polishing cloths and giftbox included
Cons
- May be too plain for some
Best christening storage toy box gift

www.my1styears.com
This stylish storage box will be loved by parents who can tidy away toys with ease and will grow with children who one day fill it up with other things as they get older. One reviewer said: "What a beautiful box that I got from My 1st Years. I bought it for a friend's christening and I would definitely recommend." Another reviewer said: "A beautiful product, well presented and quick delivery. Thanks so much!"
Pros
- Can leave it plain or add personalisation
- Wipe-clean surface
Cons
- Not solid wood
Best christening cuddy toy gift

www.notonthehighstreet.com
What child doesn't love a cute, cuddly teddy? This teddy bear is even more special as it has a tag that you can personalise with a name, message or special date. The whole family will treasure this little bear. One reviewer said: "Such a beautiful bear. I paid for the gift wrapping, loved the gift label attached to the bag. Wrapping was excellent, as it was a gift for a young child, they could open it easily. It was adored by child and parents."
Pros
- Can be personalised
- Choose large or small bear
- Bears are CE tested and suitable from birth
Cons
- No alternative colour options
8.
Name a Star
Best christening gift for older children

starlistings.co.uk
This meaningful gift is truly one of a kind that will look lovely framed and will last a lifetime. You can choose the occasion, pick a constellation such as The Princess (Andromeda) or The Little Bear (Ursa Minor), and personalise the certificate which comes beautifully packaged. One reviewer said: "Bought for christening presents of 7 and 5 year olds, with the wooden star which was a lovely touch. The presentation was lovely, looked like a really special gift and the parents commented on the thoughtfulness of the gift. Quick delivery, reliable service, would buy again and definitely recommend."
Pros
- Extensive range of constellations to choose from
- QR code to help to 'locate' your star
- Can add extras to personalise it at an additional cost
Cons
- Apart from a certificate, no other gift is included
Best traditional christening gift

www.childrensalon.com
This stunning silver egg cup, spoon and bib have little teddy bears on and would make a lovely christening gift. Plus, it would most certainly become a beautiful keepsake once the little one outgrows it. The spoon symbolises good fortune - to be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth - the eggcup represents fertility and the napkin will be essential! One reviewer said: "Bought for granddaughter's present and she loves it. Each piece is very well made and it looks quite elegant. It comes in a lovely box and inside it comes with tissue paper for the perfect presentation."
Pros
- Durable materials
- Bib is 100 per cent cotton
Cons
- Can't personalise
Best religious christening gift
A popular religious and protective symbol, St Christopher is believed to bring protection and good fortune and the pendant symbolises his role in protecting people on journeys. It comes in its very own gift box, so it's all ready to go. One reviewer said: "What a lovely little gift. I purchased some for my mum to give to the great grandchildren as keepsakes. They have lovely presentation. I would buy again if needed." Another reviewer said: "Bought this for my God son for the christening bless his heart he's one he opened it with mummy and screamed with joy!"
Pros
- Affordable price
- Giftbox included
Cons
- Chain is quite thin
Why do people give silver at a christening?
The tradition of giving silver gifts at a christening dates back to Tudor times when a child’s godparent would give them an Apostle Spoon. This silver spoon would have a picture of a saint on the handle, usually one sharing the same name as the child. The act of giving these silver spoons inspired the well-known phrase ‘born with a silver spoon in your mouth’.
While it is now fairly unusual to buy an actual Apostle spoon, many traditional christening gifts are still made from silver. Today people will give a wide range of items made from the precious metal, including money boxes, cutlery, napkin rings, coins, egg cups, rattles and tankards.
The reason silver is so popular, other than tradition, is that it is associated with health and prosperity. Giving a valuable item was also seen as symbolising independence for the child when they are older.
Does a christening gift have to be religious?
If you have been invited to a christening – a baptism welcoming a child into the Christian faith – you might want to give a present with religious significance. However, there are plenty of options out there which are thoughtful without being linked to a particular faith.
Naming ceremonies are an increasingly popular way of celebrating the birth of a baby but these events do not have a religious aspect to them so it is best to steer away of any explicitly Christian gifts. One great idea for both christenings and naming ceremonies is to give a gift based on the child’s name like a personalised or engraved item.
About the author
Catherine Ball is a mum-of-four and a freelance journalist who specialises in parenting and health. As well as writing regularly for Mother & Baby since 2015, her work has appeared in a number of publications.