The baptism of a child is most often the first sacred event in his life, a special sacrament associated with future spiritual development. It is believed that on this amazing and bright day it becomes the time when the baby receives God's grace, a guardian angel and two significant people are assigned to him - the godfather and the godmother. It is they who will bear the responsibility for the spiritual upbringing of the child in the traditions of Christianity, bringing him to faith and God. What should be given to children for christening from their godparents, what rules should be followed regarding the ceremony - read in detail in the article.
The day a child or teenager is baptized in church is called christening. Usually the sacrament is divided into two parts: the church ceremony itself and the celebration at home, with family and closest friends. Mom and dad set the table and treat the guests with delicacies, and those who come give the newly baptized child memorable and symbolic gifts.
Child Baptism
What is customary to give children from their godparents?
The sacrament of christening places important responsibilities on godparents. During the ritual, they seem to renounce everything sinful and make a promise before people and God that they will support the little one on his path and help him gain faith, as well as protect him from evil intent and various temptations.
Godparents are a kind of spiritual mentors and guides who help mom and dad raise a child as a worthy person with clear moral guidelines. In this regard, both the gifts of the godmother and father should be aimed at the spiritual development of the godson.
The traditional baptism package includes:
- baptismal suit - a white shirt or dress, as a symbol of the purity of a young soul, panties or tights, a headdress - a neat hat or scarf;
- kryzhma is a white towel in which a child is wrapped after he has been sprinkled or removed from the font;
- the pectoral cross is a symbol of faith and protection;
- an icon with the face of the patron saint after whom the boy or girl is named.
Traditional christening set
According to traditions, godparents can give a child a silver spoon with church symbols or the baby’s name at christening. This gift is a souvenir, at first the parents keep it as a treasure, and then use it to feed the child.
Children over one year old can be given educational toys, books, mosaics, panels, a doll in the form of an angel. Teenagers need to choose a gift with meaning - it could be the Bible, spiritual literature, books on psychology and self-development. If the family is a believer, the girl or guy is given a biography of a saint or a pilgrimage trip to sacred places.
Traditional gifts for a child
At christenings it is customary to give things related to the rite of Baptism and the Orthodox faith.
Christening robe
The child is dressed for the sacrament in special clothes called baptismal clothes. It is customary for it to be new and subsequently stored throughout its life.
The list of baptismal clothing includes:
- Christening shirt (for newborns). For a girl, the shirt looks more like a tiny dress. It is decorated with lace and Orthodox embroidery (crosses, ears of wheat, grape leaves). A boy's shirt should also be long, reaching to his toes or even longer. The traditional style is trapezoidal. The presence of lace will emphasize the touchingness of the moment for parents. Length – to the toes or 20 centimeters below.
The color range of baptismal shirts is white (for boys and girls), blue (for boys), pink (for girls). The style is of concern to parents, but the main thing for the child is comfort. Christening clothes must be made of hypoallergenic, natural fabric, with high-quality seams and decorative elements.
- Christening suit for a boy (ages 1 to 3 years). There are 2 types of costumes: from 2 elements (shirt and pants) and one-piece (like sandpipers). Color – milky or white.
- Christening dress for girls (from 1 year to 3 years). An elegant white dress can be with or without Orthodox symbols, with long or short sleeves.
The style of baptismal clothing has its own meaning: the length of the shirt/dress means longevity; lace along the hem - fullness of life in the future. Baptismal linen can be passed on by inheritance: for the baptism of your children and grandchildren.
Kryzhma
The piece of fabric in which the child will be wrapped after the bath should be white with lace. For these purposes, choose a towel (linen, terry), a piece of material. The towel is kept throughout life as a memory of the Orthodox sacrament. Only new, pure Kryzhma is used, like the soul of a newly baptized baby.
Pectoral cross
The Orthodox symbol of faith can be made of precious metal or alloy on a chain (gold/silver) or cord. A cross purchased at a jewelry store must be blessed before the ceremony.
Silver spoon
A silver spoon with Orthodox engraving is given for baptism to babies up to six months old (for the first tooth). The memorial ceremony can be immortalized with an inscription with the child's name and the date of baptism. In addition to it, they buy an icon with a guardian angel and a prayer. Your baby's first cutlery will be a treasured family souvenir.
Educational games or books
Older children are given items appropriate to their age. For a boy these are games on Orthodox symbols, for girls - puzzles. Fairy tales and funny adventures that children can read themselves will be a good gift.
Spiritual literature
Starting from school age, children can be given religious works, such as the Bible for children, the Gospel, and the lives of saints.
How to choose an icon for a christening?
Once upon a time, on the day of baptism, the named parents presented the child with a measured icon with the namesake patron, which they had ordered in advance from icon painters. It was measured because its size was equal to the height of its godson.
After the consecration, the icon was placed at the child’s cradle. If there is no opportunity to give such an icon now, you can buy an icon of the patron saint in a church shop. You can choose an icon with a guardian angel or one of the most revered saints, and give the girl the face of the Virgin Mary.
How to choose a christening icon
It is better if the godfather and mother agree on how they will distribute gifts and responsibilities among themselves. In this case, there will be no annoying repetitions of attributes, and traditions will be respected.
How to pack a gift in an original way
When choosing a gift for your godfather, do not forget about presentable packaging. You can buy multi-colored paper and cover the box with the gift, and place photos of them together on it. To decorate your gift, you can use dried leaves, shells, pebbles and beads. Create unique packaging for your gift.
In addition to everything, prepare a festive speech or write poetry, so it will be doubly pleasant for your godfather to receive a gift. You can buy flowers, colorful balls and firecrackers. Show your imagination and throw a real holiday for your godfather.
Gift from godmother
At the boy’s christening, the mother can give the godson a set of kizhma and a baptismal shirt, having previously asked the mother for the sizes. On white fabric, you can embroider lace patterns with your own hands using gold or blue threads. Usually crosses, angels, birds, floral patterns are depicted, the name of the child and the date of christening are embroidered.
In the baptism ceremony of a girl, the godmother presides - she holds the baby in her arms throughout the ceremony. In addition to the traditional set of white clothes, the godmother can give the girl things that symbolize their spiritual connection. This could be an icon with the Mother of God, a prayer book, a cross or pendant, candles, a children's Bible with bright illustrations, any philosophical parables and good fairy tales.
Of course, the baby will not understand the content of the Holy Scriptures or fairy tales, but as his mother and father grow up, he will introduce the child to the gift, and this will be the beginning of his introduction to the spiritual life.
Gift from godmother
Handmade gifts - 10 interesting ideas
It’s easy to make a christening gift for a boy with your own hands:
- The godmother can sew and decorate a set for the ceremony with the boy’s name and Christian symbols.
- Homemade clothes will be more valuable than store-bought ones.
- You can sew elegant bedding yourself.
- A warm quilted envelope for the cold season will be gladly accepted as a gift by parents.
- Gifts for a child's baptism should be appropriate to his age, so if one of the relatives or guests knows carpentry, he can make a crib for the little man.
- A self-made canopy made of tulle or organza will protect your child from the summer heat and excess light.
- Angels made from polymer clay will decorate a child’s bedroom and will remind of the accomplished Sacrament.
- Homemade rattles, lovingly made from non-toxic materials, will delight your baby's eyes.
- Craftswomen can make homemade photo frames and insert photos from the celebration into them.
- A good present is a film made independently on a computer.
Thus, gifts for newly baptized children can be very different, the main thing is to present them with pure thoughts and sincere wishes for a happy Christian life.
Reason 2019-05-28 admin
From godfather
Before the ritual, the godfather gives his godson or goddaughter a pectoral cross, which the clergyman puts on the baby at the end of the ritual. It can be gold, silver, metal or wood, the most important thing is that it is pre-consecrated.
Traditionally, a cross is given with a chain, but you need to understand that on a baby’s delicate skin it will be better to wear a cotton rope of a suitable and safe size. You can crochet such a strong thread yourself using a simple technique.
Another contribution of the godfather is to make a donation for performing the sacrament in the church and to give the godson some significant thing that appeals to the child’s soul and contributes to the development of his skills. This can be a religious book if the family is a believer, any other educational literature, a high-quality wooden toy, clothing or educational games, as well as a souvenir item that will be cherished first by the parents, and then by the child himself.
Gift from godfather
Gifts not related to traditions and rituals
In addition to traditional gifts, the boy is presented with a lot of different general purpose souvenirs. It is considered good form to “hand” a child a certain amount of money . But before giving them, you need to agree on the amount with your parents. If they refuse material values, it is best to listen and choose something different for the baby. This could be small household appliances, a walker, a presentable stroller, or a night light .
You need to start from what the boy needs for the first months or years of his life. You shouldn’t give rash gifts; it’s important to bring something worthwhile, something that will be useful in everyday life.
If the choice is still on money, then let this gift be accompanied by some souvenir or toy . Material things will go away over time, but a modest gift will remain a reminder of the christening for many years. Often boys are given personal hygiene items, things for growth, shoes, and outerwear for . Before you go shopping, you need to consult with your parents and discuss with them all the details of the purchase. Then the benefit from the gift will be maximum. After all, it will be unpleasant if the result of rash decisions is a thing that the child absolutely does not need. Parents are the best advisers in this matter.
What is customary to give as a baptism gift from relatives?
After the christening ceremony, almost the whole family gathers at the festive table - grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers on both sides. On such an important day, gifts are prepared not only by godparents, but also by all the other guests who were invited to the family holiday.
Grandparents can buy their child clothes or an icon, a pillow with an embroidered prayer, a hand-knitted blanket, or several pairs of warm socks.
Relatives can give educational toys, sets of children's dishes, girls - earrings for the future, boys - an elegant suit or designer set, bedding sets or any attributes of a nursery, practical things or decor. It is appropriate to present the mother with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, congratulating her and the father on a clean and bright holiday.
It all depends on the imagination and finances of the guests: the gift does not have to be expensive, the main thing is to give it with attention and warmth.
A handmade craft can be original - a postcard, photo frame, panel, embroidery or a beautiful handmade cake.
What is customary to give as a christening gift from relatives?
What to give to invited guests
In addition to godparents, relatives and family friends are often present at the sacrament ceremony. It is not at all necessary to give every guest an expensive gift, but you can please them with small trinkets that will be a reminder of the event.
Relatives
An original idea would be to prepare the same memorable souvenirs for all close relatives. You can order inexpensive pendants with an engraving of the date of the event; guests will also be pleased with napkins with embroidered names, which are made to order.
If finances are limited, then they make memorial cards for each guest, in which wishes and words from the Bible are written.
Friends
As a rule, friends invited to the sacrament of baptism themselves bring gifts for the baby. However, you can reciprocate the gesture and please them on this day. The following gifts are prepared for guests:
- Mugs with the recipient's name.
- Church candles.
- Small keychains with engraving of the date of the event.
- Small angel figures.
Gifting gifts to guests is not a mandatory ritual at a child's Baptism ceremony, but it will demonstrate the parents' gratitude for their friends visiting. When choosing ideas for gifts, first of all, they are guided by their own financial capabilities.
Gifts from guests
If you've been invited to share the joy of baptism with your family, you can give a practical gift that the baby will love and the parents will approve of. Options include elegant dresses and suits according to age or for teenagers, soft toys, games, cakes, playpen/walkers, educational mat, certificate for a family photo. Everything according to the child’s needs and age.
A universal choice is to give an amount acceptable to you in an envelope, so that mom and dad can decide for themselves what their baby needs most now. You can give the certificate to children's goods stores - it is very practical and convenient for parents. There are no recommendations on the size of a monetary gift: everyone decides how much money to give according to their financial capabilities and the laws of appropriateness.
Kryzhma for baptism: what is it, why is it needed
Kryzhma is a special gift, which, according to popular belief, has a spiritual meaning, a hidden meaning. It is believed that if a person keeps it for a long time, then he thereby protects his happiness. During the baptismal ritual, the baby is wrapped in kryzhma after he is dipped in holy water . It subsequently becomes a reliable amulet against the evil eye and illnesses. It is believed that a sheet can be used to cure a sick child. It is enough to cover a sick baby with a sacred flap, and he will get rid of illness and fever during the eruption of his first teeth. After the ritual, it cannot be washed, much less used for household needs.
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As before, as now, the role of the kryzhma is performed by a piece of natural white fabric . It can be decorated around the edge with braid or embroidery. Instead of a flap, you can use a regular linen or terry towel. It is customary to embroider the name and date of birth of the child on it. This attribute is difficult to subsequently confuse with ordinary underwear. After the baptism ritual, the kryzhma is hidden in a special linen bag and stored together with a baptismal candle and a lock of the baby’s hair.
What to give an adult for christening?
It also happens that an adult is baptized in church. In such situations, few people plan a major celebration - baptism takes place in the circle of those closest to them.
What to give an adult for christening
It is best to give a gift related to faith, because what did a person come to God for at a conscious age, if not for it? Give a collector's edition of the Bible or hagiography. In search of a gift, you can visit an Orthodox shop and choose something there: an icon, illuminated honey, monastery bread, homemade marshmallows or another pleasant surprise for the newly baptized.
What is important to consider when choosing gifts
Before choosing a gift, you should ask young parents what exactly they need. Perhaps they already have a specific device or item. Conversation will help you avoid unpleasant situations.
When purchasing care products, you should pay attention to the composition of cosmetics. Products should not contain minerals, essential oils or other additives that can cause allergies.
When buying toys, it is important to consider the girl's age. If she is only a couple of months old, then she definitely won’t need a big car or bicycle anytime soon. Older children will not play with rattles.
Giving traditions at christenings
People's opinions about baptism gifts can vary greatly depending on the views and customs of a particular family.
- Find out in advance whether the gift you choose will be appropriate, whether mom and dad will like a practical thing, or whether something related to spirituality is required.
- Ask about the child's current sizes.
- Find out if there is something that is needed specifically now - for example, a pair of baby undershirts is missing or the baby has grown out of onesies.
- Do not give overly religious gifts unless you are sure that mom and dad are truly believers. Many people adhere to traditions only because it is customary, and christenings also belong to this, playing the role of a social celebration.
- Do not give watches, knives, or sharp objects: this is of no use to a small child, and giving such things to adults is a bad omen.
- You can only accept icons and crosses from very close people. In principle, such gifts should only be given by godparents. Do not spend money on a church amulet without being sure that it will be accepted and worn.
Traditions of giving at christenings
Christening is a special holiday in the life of every person. On such a day, godparents present their ward with gifts aimed at developing high moral qualities and values of the child. Godmothers and fathers become senior mentors, family members who help the child succeed in this life and grow up happy. That is why it is important to choose as godparents those who will really take part in the baby’s life and are ready to support him all the way.
Choosing an icon
People who are believers present items related to religion. When deciding which icon to give to a girl for christening, pay attention to the following points.
An icon with a saint, after whom the girl was named. This could be an icon of St. Barbara, Anastasia of Rome and others. There are many named icons, and several saints can have the same name. Before you make your choice, you should find out exactly who the child is named after. People turn to the namesake saint with personal requests and various problems.
Every person has a saint in whose honor he received a name. Icons of such saints are powerful amulets and provide protection at critical moments.
If a child was born on a certain holiday, for example, the Annunciation, then an icon with this plot would be appropriate as a baptismal gift. You can also purchase an icon with the image of a saint who is remembered on the day of celebration.
Images of Panteleimon the Healer or Matrona of Moscow are given to children who were born weak and often need medical care.
Do not forget that christening occurs only once, and the icon will be kept throughout your life. You should choose products that will not fade in a short period of time. Icons made of sheet silver are considered to be of the highest quality. They are not susceptible to mechanical stress and do not deform, since the base of such an icon is made of high quality wood.
You should also consider the option of handwritten aged icons. This is a wonderful christening gift for a girl. An icon made of solid cypress or oak is not afraid of exposure to moisture or temperature changes.
Handwritten aged icon is sold in a natural wood box
More ideas ! See what else you can give to your goddaughter for baptism and other holidays.
Presents for parents
In addition to the fact that guests come with gifts for the boy, they can also present gifts to the child’s parents:
- Basket of fruits or sweets.
- A personalized cake in honor of the christening, which all guests present will definitely try.
- Cahors wine with a good aging period.
- Organization of filming of christenings.
- Delivery of flowers to the location of the baptism ceremony.
- Celebrating christening in a cafe.
- Presentation of a set of casts for taking a boy's foot and palm print.
Is it worth giving money?
Nobody canceled such a gift for baptism. It can be presented when the person invited to the holiday knows little about the young family and simply does not know what they might need. And after presenting an envelope with an amount that on average can vary from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles, he will definitely be sure that he has not offended anyone.
In general, the decision on how much he will offer as a gift is determined by the donor himself. It all depends on his financial condition, social status, and the closeness of his relationship with his young family. You should not put your last money in an envelope or lend it, since baptism is a bright holiday and all gifts should be given with a pure heart and bright thoughts.
