Baptism is for many parents the most important time for their children, the time when all friends and relatives gather for the religious ceremony that brings the child into the church. It is a day celebrated as much as a wedding and involves all parties arriving in their best clothes, often bringing gifts for the child or person being baptised.
Although the baptised receives gifts often so do the guests in the form of baptism favours. The baptism favours are given as small reminders of the day to the guests, also a small thank you from the child's god parents for attending the special day. The baptism favours are by tradition given out by the child's godmother or god father these types of gifts are also given at weddings and are like a grown up version of the treat bag often given at the end of a children's birthday party.
Rather then small sweets and games the favours in this case are more linked to the occasion.With the economic turmoil as it is the traditional givers can be different and so can the gifts. The gifts don't have to be expensive, they can be anything basically. If the items can remind the guest specifically of the day it is even better. Also it's wise to try and keep the gifts the same for everyone to avoid any arguments from people who may feel left out.
The god parents may be OK to give bigger gifts to but no one else really unless there is a specific reason such as fulfilling a role on the day or perhaps donating something for the day.
One form of baptism favour is to presented the gift in a small box or packet, this containing the basic gift itself. This can be a few sweets or small ornaments. Maybe also include a card thanking them for attending the celebration. The card means they have a reminder of the day even if the gift isn't meant to last.
Possibly even make the gift a small certificate thanking for their attendance, maybe with a hand print signature from the baby baptised or with a small photograph. The favor chosen basically depends on the money that can be spent on the occasion and how many gifts you intend giving out on the day.
You can give out chocolates or sweets as a basic and cheap gift. You could consider giving pictures of the baby, perhaps wearing their baptism clothing. More high class gifts include silver dummies, silver scrolls or framed notices all including the baptism date.
Don't spend so much you end up in debt or so you have to downsize any other part of the day. Start with a figure you can afford and then work from that figure and above all don't go above it. Nobody should expect expensive gifts and no one should feel obliged to give them out.
The day is to celebrate the baptism after all and anything else is extra. The presents are something to be considered on top and only if really needed to augment the day. They will be well received but won't be expected by anyone.
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