Editor's Note: This guide has been updated for 2025 with fresh inspiration, relevant etiquette advice, and the latest trends in both personalized and traditional baptism gifts. Whether you're looking for a keepsake to cherish or a unique present with meaning, you'll find timeless options to celebrate this sacred occasion.
Deciding what to give for a baptism gift can feel overwhelming, whether you’re a godparent, grandparent, or close family friend. Thankfully, in 2025 there are more beautiful and meaningful options than ever—including personalized baptism gifts and traditional gifts designed to last a lifetime. From engraved keepsakes to heirloom-quality baby clothing personalized with the baby's name and christening date, finding a thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be difficult—or break the bank.
Baptism Gift Trends to Watch in 2025
This year, there’s a growing appreciation for gifts that blend timeless tradition with personal meaning. Personalized baptism gifts—like baby blankets embroidered with the child’s name and christening date—continue to be a top choice, along with jewelry and heirloom clothing. Many parents also love outfits that can be customized with initials or baptism dates, turning a special moment into a keepsake.
Meanwhile, traditional gifts such as silver rattles, engraved Bibles, and gold crosses remain beloved classics. What’s new in 2025 is the added focus on craftsmanship, sustainability, and heirloom value—gifts that can be passed down through generations.
Who should give a gift? How much do you give for a Christening in 2025?
If you have been invited to attend a baptism, then it is generally accepted that you will bring a gift. It is also very common to give cash or a check as well. However, the amount you are expected to spend is dependent on your relationship with the baby and their family.
What is a good gift from godparents?
Being asked to be a godparent is a big deal! Therefore it's important for godparents to find meaningful baptism gifts fitting for the occasion. How much should one spend? For example in 2025, Godparents are expected to spend between $125-275 on their godchild, whereas family and close friends are assumed to start around the $60-175 range. There are occasional outliers, but this is a general rule that most attendees will be expected to follow. While cash is a nice gift, in addition, it's courteous to arrive with a proper gift in hand.
Top 5 Baptism Gift Ideas
1. Personalized Baby Blanket with Name or Initials:
A beautiful and timeless personalized baptism gift. Embroidered with the baby's name and date of the christening, these soft heirloom-quality blankets are a treasured keepsake.
2. Baptism Jewelry
From delicate bracelets to 14k gold crosses, baptism jewelry is a meaningful gift that can be worn now or kept in a keepsake box for later. These elegant accessories often include religious symbols and are available in gender-neutral styles.
3. A Newborn Gift Set
Perfectly coordinated gift sets that include items like personalized blankets, christening bibs and heirloom-quality baby jewelry. These curated packages make for an all-in-one meaningful gesture.
4. A Classic Silver Rattle
A traditional gift that symbolizes prosperity and is often passed down through generations. A silver rattle makes a charming and historic present.
5. Bible
A pocket-sized New Testament Bible or children’s Bible is a spiritual keepsake that many families treasure. Consider pairing it with a personalized message or case.
Unique baptism gifts for girls:
Personalized jewelry, heirloom clothing, and sweet accessories like flower crowns or booties are popular choices. Many pieces, including our Lola and Grace heirloom gowns and dresses, can be personalized with initials or dates. Matching sets for mom and baby or thoughtful keepsakes like a rosary or engraved charm can also make memorable gifts.
Cool baptism gifts for boys:
Consider a vintage-inspired baby boy suit, formal outfit, or accessories like a pageboy cap. Personalized gifts such as engraved compasses, watches, or monogrammed blankets are both practical and sentimental. A cross necklace or silver rattle can be kept in a custom keepsake box.
What is a good baptism gift from grandparents?
Grandparents often give meaningful, high-value gifts such as personalized jewelry (e.g., gold heart crosses), heirloom clothing, or embroidered blankets. These gifts can be engraved with a beloved Bible verse or custom message.
Gender Neutral and Personalized Baptism Gifts
Personalized jewelry, embroidered blankets, keepsake boxes, and spiritual charms make ideal gifts regardless of gender. These thoughtful presents serve as lasting reminders of a very special day. Many Baby Beau & Belle outfits and accessories now offer personalization options for added significance. Our Quinn Layette and Quinn Wrap Top & Pants Set come in several different shades, so families can choose a color that best suits their taste or the tone of the celebration.
Gender Neutral Baptism Gift Ideas
What if I can’t afford any of the previously mentioned gifts?
If you're on a budget in 2025, there are still meaningful ways to give. Consider a heartfelt letter, a jar of well-wishes, or offering help at the reception. You can also include a small $15-20 gift card. Thoughtful, handmade gifts from the heart are always appreciated.
For Those Curious About Tradition: A Brief History of Baptism Gifts
Silver has long symbolized prosperity, making silver rattles and jewelry common traditional gifts. Historically, welcoming a new baby has always been a deeply meaningful occasion.
During or before the baptism ceremony, godparents would traditionally offer a small gift—typically a brooch, baby bracelet, gold or silver medal, or a silver rattle.
Before the 20th century, infant mortality rates were rather high and as a result, it was very important to the family that the newborn was baptized as soon as possible. At this time, there was a greater weight to the significance of baptism and what it meant for a person of faith.
How Baptism Gifts Have Changed Over Time
While gifts like brooches and rattles are still given today, others from the past may surprise modern readers. Silver cups were once a popular choice, prized for their durability and resistance to rust. Antique shops still occasionally carry these delicate, dented treasures.
Rattles and teething toys were often crafted from wood, adorned with floral designs, bells, or even whistles carved into the handles. Handles made from mother-of-pearl were especially fashionable in the early 19th century.
Rattles and teething toys were often crafted from wood, adorned with floral designs, bells, or even whistles carved into the handles. Handles made from mother-of-pearl were especially fashionable in the early 19th century.
Perhaps the most unusual historical gift was "baby tooth jewelry." Dating back as far as 6700 BCE, this trend gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, when parents—especially mothers—would wear baby teeth set into rings or pendants as sentimental keepsakes. It was even believed these pieces could help someone struggling with fertility. Today, of course, most families choose to store baby teeth in a keepsake box instead.
Final Thoughts
Thankfully, modern families have access to a wide array of beautifully crafted traditional and personalized baptism gifts. Whether you're looking for a cool, vintage baptism gift for a baby boy or a unique, heirloom-quality piece for a baby girl, you're sure to find something that will be treasured for years to come.
Whether you're seeking something cool and unique or purely traditional, 2025 offers an array of stunning baptism gifts that any family will cherish.
Sandra Barends
Girl baptism gift.