A christening gift has a longer job than a baby shower gift. It has to still mean something once the baby who can’t remember it has grown up.
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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- How We Picked These
- Quick Comparison Table
- 1. Engraved Wooden Keepsake Box, On Its Own
- 2. Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings, For Later
- 3. Hammered Brass Stacking Ring, For Later
- 4. Keepsake Box + Botanical Line Art Print
- 5. Kraft Cover Notebook as a Naming Day Wishes Book
- 6. Soy Candle for the Godparents or Hosts
- 7. Build a Bigger Christening Keepsake Hamper
- How to Choose the Right One
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Bottom Line
Introduction
A christening or naming day gift sits in a strange spot. The baby will not remember receiving it, will not play with it that afternoon, and will not thank anyone for it for at least a decade. So the usual test for a baby gift, does the baby like it right now, does not really apply.
The better question is what the family still has in a drawer, a jewellery box, or on a shelf in ten years. A knitted toy earns its keep in the first year. A keepsake box, a piece of jewellery set aside “for later,” or a book of well-wishes from the day itself earns its keep for much longer.
We went through CraftsGifted’s own 16-item catalogue and picked out the items that suit a christening or naming day, rather than a newborn gift in general. Seven ideas made the list, from a £9.00 notebook to a £53.00 hamper that covers the keepsake, the comforter, and something for the nursery wall.
How We Picked These
We are a small, new UK gift shop with a 16-item starter catalogue, not a specialist christening retailer with years of sector data. So this list is four plain questions we asked about every item before it went on the page:
- Does it suit a christening or naming day specifically, not just “any baby gift”? Christenings and naming ceremonies usually happen months after birth, once the family has already been given the practical newborn essentials, so we favoured items with a keepsake or symbolic angle over things a baby shower gift already covers.
- Is it something a godparent or guest could reasonably give, not only the parents? Godparents and guideparents are traditionally expected to mark the day with something the child keeps, so several ideas here are built with that role in mind.
- Is the price the current, live price? Every figure below is the live price on the product page at the time of writing, not a discounted or “was/now” figure.
- Does it respect basic safety guidance for a household with a young baby? Anything with small parts, including the jewellery on this list, gets a clear note that it is not intended for the baby to handle directly, in line with UK toy safety rules for retailers and suppliers.
Quick Comparison Table
| Idea | Best For | Price | Effort Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keepsake Box alone | The classic christening or naming day keepsake | £22.00 | Lowest: one purchase |
| Pearl Earrings, for later | A godmother’s gift a goddaughter grows into | £24.00 | Lowest: one purchase |
| Brass Ring, for later | A godparent’s gift a godchild grows into | £18.00 | Lowest: one purchase |
| Keepsake Box + Botanical Print | A keepsake plus something for the nursery wall | £38.00 | Low: two items, one theme |
| Notebook as a wishes book | Collecting messages from guests on the day | £9.00 | Lowest: one purchase |
| Soy Candle for the godparents | Thanking whoever hosted or stood as godparent | £16.00 | Lowest: one purchase |
| Build a bigger christening hamper | Close family, or when you want to go bigger | £53.00 | Medium: you’re assembling it |
1. Engraved Wooden Keepsake Box, On Its Own
The Engraved Wooden Keepsake Box is the item on this list built for a day like this: it has space for an engraved name and date, and somewhere to put a first curl, a first tooth, or a christening candle stub once the day is over.
At £22.00, it is a straightforward, single-purchase gift that does not need pairing with anything else to make sense. Because the engraving carries the child’s name and the date, it reads as a gift for this specific occasion rather than a generic baby present picked off a shelf.
What we like:
- Engraved with a name and date, so it is specific to this christening or naming day, not generic
- Solid and built to last, unlike most items given to a baby in the first year
- Small enough to bring to the day itself without needing to be wrapped elaborately
What could be better:
- On the day, it is an empty box; some gift-givers prefer something the family can use immediately
- It needs the family to decide what goes inside it over the years, which some parents may not get around to
Price: £22.00 (product page) Best for: Godparents or close family who want a gift that marks the specific date. Not ideal if: You want something the baby can hold or react to on the day itself.
2. Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings, For Later
The Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings are not a baby gift in the usual sense, they are a £24.00 gift a goddaughter grows into, kept safely by her parents until she is old enough to wear them herself.
This is a long-standing godparent tradition: a piece of jewellery given on the christening or naming day, set aside rather than worn, and handed over years later. The earrings themselves are freshwater pearls on gold-tone hooks, the same pair CraftsGifted sells as an adult accessory, not a piece made for a baby to wear.
What we like:
- A genuine “grow into it” keepsake rather than something bought only to sit in a drawer unused
- Freshwater pearls read as a classic, timeless choice rather than a trend that will date
- Comes from the everyday jewellery range, so the same pair works for an older sister, a godmother, or any adult recipient too
What could be better:
- This is an adult-sized piece of jewellery, not a baby accessory; it must be kept somewhere the baby cannot reach it, in line with general guidance on keeping small items away from young children
- Only suits families who are comfortable with a “keep until she’s older” gift rather than something used straight away
Price: £24.00 (product page) Best for: A godmother or close family member who wants to mark the day with a piece of jewellery the child keeps for later. Not ideal if: You want the family to use or display the gift immediately.
3. Hammered Brass Stacking Ring, For Later
The Hammered Brass Stacking Ring works on the same “for later” principle as the earrings above, at a lower £18.00 price point and without assuming the child will grow up wanting to wear earrings.
It is a slim, hand-finished stacking ring in brushed brass, the kind of small, understated piece that a parent can put away until the child is old enough to decide whether they want it. Because it is sold as an everyday adult ring rather than anything baby-specific, there is no pretence that it was made for an infant to wear now.
What we like:
- Lower price than the earrings, while keeping the same “keepsake for later” idea
- Hand-finished brass rather than a plated finish that wears off
- Works regardless of the child’s eventual style, since a plain stacking ring suits most tastes
What could be better:
- Like the earrings, this is an adult-sized ring and must be stored out of a baby’s reach, not given to the child directly
- Less immediately recognisable as a “christening gift” than the engraved keepsake box, so it may need explaining on the card
Price: £18.00 (product page) Best for: Godparents who want a lower-cost “for later” keepsake than jewellery with pearls. Not ideal if: You want a gift that reads as obviously baby- or christening-themed at first glance.
4. Keepsake Box + Botanical Line Art Print
Pairing the Engraved Wooden Keepsake Box with the Botanical Line Art Print, A4 for £38.00 covers both the keepsake tradition and something for the nursery wall in one gift.
The print is a minimal, unframed line-art botanical design, so it suits most nursery colour schemes without needing to match a specific theme. Giving it alongside the engraved box means the family gets one gift for the memories and one for the room, rather than two disconnected items.
What we like:
- Covers a keepsake and a piece of nursery decor in a single combined gift
- The unframed print gives the parents the choice of frame and placement, rather than dictating a style
- Sits at a reasonable mid-range price for a christening gift from a close friend or family member
What could be better:
- The print needs a frame, which is an extra cost and step for the parents to sort out
- At £38.00 it is a step up from the single-item options, so it suits closer relationships better than a group contribution
Price: £38.00 combined (keepsake box, botanical print) Best for: Friends or family who want to cover both the keepsake and the nursery in one gift. Not ideal if: You would rather the parents didn’t have to source and pay for a frame themselves.
5. Kraft Cover Notebook as a Naming Day Wishes Book
The Kraft Cover Notebook, A5 is not sold as a christening guest book, it is a plain A5 lined notebook with a kraft-paper cover, and we are not pretending otherwise; what it can become is a book where guests write a message to the child on the day.
At £9.00, this is the lowest-cost idea on the list and works well for anyone who wants to bring something beyond a card. Left out on a table at the christening or naming ceremony with a pen, it collects short messages, memories, or hopes from everyone who attends, in a way a card from one guest cannot.
What we like:
- The lowest-cost item on this list, useful for a guest who wants to add something beyond a card
- Works as a genuine keepsake of who attended and what they wanted to say, not just a decorative object
- Plain enough that it does not compete with a more personal keepsake box gift from someone else
What could be better:
- It is a plain notebook, not a purpose-printed baby or christening guest book with prompts, so someone needs to set it up and explain its purpose on the day
- Less obviously a “gift for the baby” than the other ideas here, so it works best alongside a card explaining what it is for
Price: £9.00 (product page) Best for: A guest who wants to give something the family keeps from the day itself, at a low cost. Not ideal if: You want a single, ready-made item with no set-up required.
6. Soy Candle for the Godparents or Hosts
The Soy Candle in Reusable Ceramic Pot is not a gift for the baby at all, at £16.00 it is a way to thank whoever is doing the hosting, whether that is the parents themselves or newly appointed godparents taking on a role for the first time.
Christenings and naming days tend to produce a wall of gifts aimed squarely at the baby, and almost nothing for the adults involved. A candle in a reusable ceramic pot, in a fig and cedar scent, works as a small acknowledgement to the people organising the day or stepping into a godparent role.
What we like:
- Directly addresses a gap most christening gift lists ignore: something for the adults involved, not the baby
- The ceramic pot has a life after the candle burns down, rather than being purely disposable
- Works well as an add-on to a baby-focused gift, or as a separate thank-you to whoever hosted
What could be better:
- On its own, it does not mark the occasion for the child, so it works best paired with one of the other ideas here if this is your only gift
- Scented candles are not universally loved; check the recipient does not have a strong preference against fragrance in the house
Price: £16.00 (product page) Best for: Thanking the parents for hosting, or a newly appointed godparent for taking on the role. Not ideal if: You want your one gift to be clearly aimed at the baby.
7. Build a Bigger Christening Keepsake Hamper
Combine the Engraved Wooden Keepsake Box, the Knitted Baby Comforter, Rabbit, and the Botanical Line Art Print for £53.00 and you cover the keepsake, a soft toy for the baby to grow attached to, and something for the nursery, in one gift.
This is the option for close family, godparents who want to give one substantial gift rather than several small ones, or a group of friends splitting the cost. Wrap the three items together, or use the keepsake box as the container for the comforter and present the print alongside it.
What we like:
- The only idea on this list that covers the keepsake, a toy for the baby, and the nursery at once
- Scales well as a group gift, since the per-person cost drops quickly with two or three contributors
- Uses three genuinely different item types rather than three variations on the same idea
What could be better:
- £53.00 is the highest total on this list, so it suits pooled or close-family budgets better than an individual small gift
- Assembling and presenting three items takes more effort than picking one ready-made option
- The comforter carries the same cot-safety note as any soft toy: keep it as a hand-held item for a young baby rather than placing it in the cot, in line with safer sleep guidance from the Lullaby Trust
Price: £53.00 combined (keepsake box, comforter, botanical print) Best for: Close family, godparents, or a group gift where a few people are splitting the cost. Not ideal if: You are looking for the cheapest or simplest single option.
How to Choose the Right One
Four questions narrow this list down quickly:
- What role are you playing on the day? A godparent or guideparent traditionally marks the occasion with a keepsake, which points toward the keepsake box, pearl earrings, or brass ring. A general guest or extended family member is well served by the notebook or a card.
- Do you want the gift to mark the day, or thank the adults involved? The keepsake box, jewellery, and notebook are child-focused. The candle is aimed at the parents or godparents instead.
- What’s your budget? Under £20, the notebook, candle, or brass ring alone all work. £20–£40, the earrings or the keepsake and print combination fit well. £50+, build the full hamper.
- Is the ceremony religious or non-religious? Every idea on this list works for either. A traditional Church of England christening involves choosing godparents, while a humanist naming ceremony uses the term “guideparents” instead and follows no fixed religious format, but the same keepsake, jewellery, or notebook ideas suit both.
If you’d rather ask than guess, NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, publishes general guidance on what new families and their support network tend to need in the first year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many godparents does a baby need at a Church of England christening?
The Church of England’s own guidance says a child should usually have at least three godparents, generally two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex, though the Church of England notes that one godfather and one godmother can suffice when three cannot conveniently be arranged. A parent can also stand as one of the three if they have been baptised themselves.
What if the family is having a non-religious naming ceremony instead of a christening?
The same gift ideas work. Humanists UK describes a humanist naming ceremony as a non-religious celebration with no set words or actions, often including the appointment of “guideparents” in place of godparents. A keepsake box, jewellery set aside for later, or a wishes notebook all suit this format just as well as a traditional christening.
What’s the best gift if I’m a godparent and want it to feel meaningful?
The Engraved Wooden Keepsake Box, personalised with the child’s name and date, or the Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings kept for later, both lean into the traditional godparent role of giving something the child keeps rather than uses up straight away.
Is it safe to give jewellery as a gift for a baby?
Treat it as a gift for the parents to store, not something the baby handles. The earrings and ring on this list are adult-sized pieces intended to be kept safely until the child is older, and should be stored out of a young child’s reach in the meantime, in line with general UK toy and product safety guidance around small parts.
How much should I spend on a christening or naming day gift?
There’s no fixed rule, but this list ranges from £9.00 to £53.00, which reflects a reasonable spread from a low-cost addition to a card up to a fuller gift for close family or a shared contribution from several godparents.
Can I combine two of these ideas into one gift?
Yes. The keepsake box and botanical print combination and the full hamper are both built from currently stocked items and are meant to be bought together. You can also put together your own pairing from any of the seven ideas above.
Is a knitted comforter safe to put in the cot with a baby?
Follow current safer sleep guidance rather than assuming a soft toy is fine from birth. The Lullaby Trust recommends keeping soft toys and comforters out of the cot for young babies, introducing them later once a baby can move things away from their face on their own.
Should I give a gift to the baby, the parents, or the godparents?
Any of the three is appropriate, but most gift lists focus only on the baby. The Soy Candle earns its place here because it thanks the adults instead, whether that’s the parents hosting the day or a friend or relative taking on a godparent role for the first time.
Are these items handmade or ethically sourced?
CraftsGifted does not currently make handmade, artisan, or verified-sustainability claims about its catalogue, so this guide doesn’t either. Each item description above reflects only what’s actually true of the product: its materials, price, and intended use.
Do I need to buy from a specialist christening gift shop for these ideas to work?
No. The ideas on this list work because they suit the occasion, not because they come from a specialist christening retailer. A general gift shop item like an engraved box or a piece of everyday jewellery can be just as meaningful as something marketed only for the day.
What’s the difference between the keepsake and print combination and the full hamper?
The keepsake and print combination (£38.00) covers the keepsake and the nursery wall. The full hamper (£53.00) adds the knitted comforter on top, so it’s the more complete option if the budget allows for it.
The Bottom Line
If you only want to buy one thing and keep it simple, the Engraved Wooden Keepsake Box at £22.00 is the option we’d suggest first. It’s built for a day like this, with the name and date engraved on the lid, and it doesn’t need pairing with anything else to make sense as a gift.
If you’re a godparent who wants to mark the day with something the child grows into, the pearl earrings or brass ring, kept safely until they’re older, follow a genuinely old tradition rather than a manufactured one. If your budget stretches further or you’re splitting the cost with other godparents, the full hamper at £53.00 adds a comforter and a nursery print on top of the keepsake box.
Compare the full Baby & Child range at CraftsGifted to see these items alongside anything added to the catalogue since this guide was published.
Related Articles
- 7 Baby Shower Gift Ideas: Comforters and Keepsakes: more ideas for the earlier baby shower stage, before the christening or naming day.
- 7 Engraved Keepsake Box Gift Ideas for Milestones: more ways to pair the same keepsake box with other life milestones.
- 7 Jewellery Gift Ideas for Every Budget: more jewellery options if you’re choosing a “for later” gift as a godparent.
About This Research
CraftsGifted Editorial Team is the in-house editorial team at CraftsGifted, a UK-based online gift shop that organises its catalogue around real gifting occasions rather than by maker or brand.
This guide is based on a direct review of CraftsGifted’s own live product catalogue and current pricing on 2026-09-03, cross-checked against publicly available UK guidance on christening and naming ceremony customs from the Church of England and Humanists UK, and safer-sleep and product-safety guidance from the Lullaby Trust and UK government. No customer research, sales data, or handmade/artisan sourcing claims are made, in line with CraftsGifted’s current stage as a new store.
Content reviewed and updated: 2026-09-03
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