Baby and Christening Gifts: New Arrivals, Naming Days and Godparents

A new baby brings out the gift giver in everyone. Personalised baby gifts are especially popular because they become keepsakes: the blanket with a name embroidered in the corner is still in the family decades later.

Gifts for a new arrival

• Comforters and blankets: soft, washable and easy to embroider with a name and date of birth.
• Baby vests and sleepsuits: printed or embroidered with a name; buy a size or two up so they fit for longer.
• Birth announcement frames: an engraved frame with name, date, time and weight.
• Keepsake boxes: for the hospital bracelet, first curl and first shoes.
• Books: personalised storybooks in which the child is the hero, ready for when they are older.

Practical gifts for the parents are welcome too: a meal delivered to the door, an offer to babysit, or a personalised bag for all the baby kit.

Christenings, baptisms and naming days

Christening gifts have traditionally been things to keep: a silver spoon, a christening mug, a cross, a bible or prayer book, a money box. Many of these are engraved with the child's name and the date of the christening. Non-religious naming ceremonies have grown in popularity in the UK, and the same kinds of keepsake suit them perfectly.

From	Traditional gift	Modern alternative
Godparents	Silver spoon or christening mug, cross or bible	Engraved keepsake box, a framed letter to the child, a book to grow into
Grandparents	Silver money box, christening gown or shawl	A family-tree frame, a photo album started for them
Guests	Silver-plated frame or keepsake	An engraved candle, a personalised storybook

The godparents' gift

Godparents (or "guide parents" at a naming day) often give the most meaningful gift. Something engraved with the date is traditional; many godparents also write a letter to be opened when the child turns eighteen, or start a small tradition such as a book every birthday. A certificate holder or frame for the christening certificate, engraved with the child's name, is a practical and lasting idea.

Safety first with baby items

• Look for toys with the UKCA or CE mark, and check the age guidance; items for under-threes must not have small parts.
• Avoid loose ribbons, cords and buttons on anything that goes in a cot.
• Embroidery is safer than glued-on decorations for very young babies.
• Choose washable fabrics; anything a baby touches will need washing often.
• Remember that soft toys and blankets should not be left in a cot with a sleeping baby; follow the current safe sleep advice for young babies.

The first year: milestone gifts

The first Christmas, the first Easter and the first birthday are all occasions for personalised gifts: an engraved bauble for "Baby's First Christmas", a photo frame for the first birthday party, a wall clock or growth chart for the nursery. Photo gifts are especially popular in the first year, as parents take hundreds of pictures. See our guide to how printed photo gifts are made for choosing the right picture.

What to write

Keep baby engraving simple: full name, date of birth or christening date, and perhaps the time and weight for a birth frame. Double-check the spelling with the parents, especially for names with unusual spellings. Our wording guide has a proofreading checklist.

For gifts for toddlers and school-age children, see personalised gifts for children.

Written by the Ribbon & Tag editors.