MyRedPacket.co.uk Blog

We’ve all heard that, haven’t we? The saying that every picture says a thousand words. What about the frame you mount this photo in though? Could this say a few words as well?

Words such as the day the photo was taken, who its subjects are, what the occasion was…rather than displaying a picture then wondering, months or years later, just where you were and when - have it emblazoned across the bottom of the frame itself then there’s no forgetting.

My mum thought she could mark her photos by writing on the back when and where it was took, so in years to come and her memory filled with numerous other ‘occasions’ she’d still be able to tell. Only she forgot to think that when a photo is in a frame it means dismantling it to read this precious information!

Photo frames make wonderful gifts, especially those that are personalised. Sure to make a loved one smile is a frame that says “You’re the best!” - topped off with a photo of the person in question inside. Of course, the beauty of personalised photo frames is that you can choose your own message, so whether it says, “Welcome, Baby Jack” or “Congratulations to the happy couple”, or maybe “You are the reason I wake with a smile” or “Thanks for everything, Mum!” it’ll mean so much to the person you give it to.

This beautiful frame is perfect for a new baby boy and gives you the option to pop his name and date of birth:

A personalised photo frame is a perfect gift for a couple getting married, especially if you can give them it after the wedding and once your pictures have been printed. Why not aim to give them a picture of the evening do or reception - one that’s not contrived or already captured by the wedding photographer? I’ve often thought the photos taken by guests truly reflect the happiness and ambience of someone’s wedding far more than nervously taken, posed images.

Add the date of the wedding and their names on such as this photo frame, and hey presto! A personal, thoughtful and undeniably beautiful gift:

The design feature that makes this frame look as if it’s sat on an easel is a definite quirky touch.

A wedding day goes by so quick, especially for the bride and groom, making all reminders gratefully received!

If you’re anything like me, the advent of digital cameras and mobile phones has meant that although I take as many photos as ever I did before, they stay on my camera or device. I don’t seem to get round to printing off the picture and framing it which is such a shame. If someone did that for me as a gift, I’d be so touched, I can’t tell you.

Photo frames seem to have gone out of vogue in recent years but why, I don’t know. I still love to look at photos of my family in days gone by as much now as I ever did, and having them all stuffed in a drawer or filed away in an electronic folder somewhere is quite sad.

Perhaps you have a relative that lives quite far from you; far enough to visit only once a blue moon when it’s possible. A truly special gift is a photo frame of you and your family - chances are you’ll all have changed since your relative last saw you.  For some families, photos are the only way to keep in touch - despite the advent of FaceTime, Skype and similar technology, some of us just have no interest in the digital revolution! Personalising it with a ‘Miss You’ or ‘To the Best Nan’ makes a gift like this all the more special.

It’s a good thing a picture tells a thousand words as we couldn’t fit that many on the photo frame! It doesn’t matter though, because it really does only take a few well-chosen words to tell a loved one how much you adore them.

Spring is a-coming!  Summer will soon be here and the goose is getting fat….sorry, wrong season.  Whereas we all picture brides wanting to bask in the sunshine, you’ll also notice a spate of christenings once the weather starts to thaw and the sun shows its face.  Therefore, here are our suggestions for the perfect christening gifts!

If you think hard, you’ll notice that few christenings are held when the weather is drab and the temperature is minus fifty.  Perhaps it’s the thought of standing in a draughty church, or how many layers you’d need to place on the baby to make sure they wouldn’t die of hypothermia.  There’s not many christening outfits made from fleece.

Instead, we imagine our children’s christenings as sunny, happy, family occasions where we don’t mind getting out of bed at an unearthly hour on a Sunday morning (alright, 10.30am) because it’s a lovely day.  No one wants to book an event that starts amidst a heavy morning fog or over snow crystals.

A christening isn’t time sensitive either - unless you leave it years and the vicar can no longer lift the 22 year old over the font for the baptism - a few months until the warm weather rolls around again doesn’t seem to worry most parents planning their service.

But what of the gifts?  Should we take inspiration from the sun and buy gifts such as this:

A beautiful and practical gift - bright and pretty, and adorned with lush leaves, not bare twigs spattered with snow.  Personalised for the little cherub, giving them reason to think that they’re such a VIP they even get their name emblazoned across their dinnerware, when the rest of us have to make do with plain plates at mealtimes.

Traditional gifts are always welcome at christenings, perhaps more so than at other occasions; most mothers want to remember how big their baby’s wrist was with one of these bangles:

Because they expand to fit your baby for at least a good few months, when the bangle is not worn, the expanding part reverts back to its smallest size.  This is what you’ll get out of your keepsake box - when they’ve left home for university, for a job or for their sanity - and shed tiny tears over.  “Look how little they were,” you’ll simper.  (Yes, but look at what you’ve got - your life back.  Hooray!)

That could be the main reason why we don’t ‘move on’ with christening gifts - why traditional gifts such as rattles and silver photo frames are so popular.  A christening is a traditional service and even though the modern equivalent is a naming ceremony, most parents want the customary christening, even if it’s the only time they’ve stepped foot in a church that year…or even, decade.  Weddings are being held at stately homes or other places of interest more and more, which could see the amount of people actually booking a church for their family event sharply decline.  But a christening just doesn’t feel the same if it’s not in a church - just as christening gifts aren’t the same if there’s not a silver money box in sight.

When buying christening gifts do you buy a gift with only the child in mind or do you buy a gift for the parents that is centred around their child?  For instance, would a small baby appreciate a silver plated, engraved photo frame?  Not really, but their parents would love it.  Would they be interested in a rattle ornament, or piggy bank or an item of jewellery?  Some people buy teddy bears which would be a great playmate for the child but their parents are unlikely to want to play with it too!  Take a look at these traditional gifts for some ideas:

I don’t think this is quite the dilemma it sounds; most of the traditional christening presents mentioned above will not make anyone bat an eyelid, least of all the baby who is most probably only concerned with filling his belly or his nappy.

It is quite popular to hold a baby’s christening in the summer, because just as with weddings, it’s nice to imagine everyone stood happily outside the church posing for photos with the sun beating down.  A christening or similar occasion may be the only time some families see each other or get together if they are a large group or live across the country.  The mood at a christening is always jolly, after all, you are in fact in celebration - celebrating the birth of this new baby into the world.

Naming ceremonies have become more popular in recent years.  These are basically the same as a christening service but have less religious connotations and can be held in a function room rather than a church.  This is an increasing trend as some parents want the family get-together but don’t place as much importance on the role of the church.  This may give anyone attending a but of a problem when buying a gift - do you buy them something traditional, or something a little quirky or unusual?   For a chistening gift that’s a little different, have a look at these:

Definitely different!  They also both have an element of fun, which sets them apart a little from the more traditional gifts.  This is just a small sample of the range that MyRedPacket have to offer, so be sure to browse through the other items too.

Godparents have the great honour of being the child’s unofficial guardian which means they are more likely to be involved in the child’s life.  Therefore, a gift of a more personal nature, such as an engraved christening bracelet would be a good idea, giving you the chance to add your own message, such as, “Always looking out for you, kid!”.

Again, because babies are far more caught up with other things such as crying, sleeping and nappy-filling, I wouldn’t worry too much that the keepsake you buy is far more welcomed by their parents.  Once the child has grown into an adult it will be nice for them to look at the christening gifts they were given that day - let’s face it, without keepsakes and photos, they’re not likely to remember any of it!

Have you been invited to a christening this summer?  Tell us where and when, even forward a photo and we’ll include you in one of our blog posts.  The rain is beating down quite heavily as I write - I hope it clears out in time for your special occasion!