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Friday 3rd Sep 2010
Baby & Christening Gifts
The Perfect Gift for Baby....and Mum....and Dad
It is not usually hard to pick a congratulatory gift for the parents of a newborn. All those gorgeous outfits! But if you wanted the perfect keepsake or just a break from the norm, then My Red Packet has this covered.
New parents will be overwhelmed, just from their change in circumstances, the sleepless nights and the fact that they are not number one in their own lives anymore. So, you could play this two ways. Are you getting a gift for the newborn, or are you buying a gift for the exhausted adults? Or, would you shoot straight to the fantastic friend or relative list to do both?
Looking for an all-rounder gift for the whole household (then no one misses out!)…see our Lavender Incense sticks. As well as bringing a beautiful and calming smell to the home when lit, lavender is well known for inducing a restful sleep – and is used in lots of nursery products. Another dual purpose gift is My Red Packet’s bubble bath machine. Great for when mum or dad want a relaxing bath to regain some long-forgotten me-time, but also a fun tool when baby has bath-time as well!
As the baby years and childhood fly past, a practical gift, and lovely keepsake, is our teddy photo album that can even be engraved with a special ‘welcome to the baby’ message of your choice. Perfect for holding all the family’s special pictures, it’s a fantastic way to display those captured pockets of time before they disappear into our memories. Another gorgeous keepsake is My Red Packet’s first money box. Available in blue or pink, it can be engraved with a personal message. It’s never too early (or too relevant, during the current recession) to start saving their pennies and you can always pop a few pound in there to start them off!
For something a little more unusual, why not name a star after the bundle of joy? And we don’t mean one that comes out at night…no, for today’s celebrity obsessed culture, hip and happening babies can have their own Hollywood star. Though, until they are famous enough to warrant one on the American boulevard, you may just have to give this gift pride of place on your patio!
We have plenty of practical gifts too. Personalised bibs, bodysuits, vests, towels….the list goes on. All can be emblazoned with ‘Britney’, ‘Cruz’….or whatever moniker has been bestowed on the child. And talking of which, why not have the meaning of the chosen name framed and presented? (FYI – Britney is a variant of those coming from the region in France – not at all associated with an American singer with certain issues!).
Buying a gift for a newborn is as much fun for the buyer as it is for the recipient – going all gooey at the cuteness, reliving those ‘I used to have one of those when I was a kid’ childhood moments and enjoying the happiness emanating from the family with their new addition. My Red Packet’s range of beautiful new baby gifts befits this momentous occasion.
Christenings should be for all!
Christenings are such fun that it’s such a shame you almost always ‘miss’ your own. Of course, some people get christened as older children or adults and therefore can remember the day, but for most it’s an event that takes place before we can even walk.
As a baby it must be delightful, if not a little scary, to have so many people around cooing and smiling at you. The weather is willed to be sunny and you are wearing a posh new outfit. Then there’s some singing which is all very jolly…..then a nasty man pours cold water all over your head – which kind of takes the shine off it a bit.
Have no doubt, the baby is the star of the show, ably supported by two proud, beaming parents. And, just like a birthday, all the presents that people bring are all for you!
Have no doubt, the baby is the star of the show, ably supported by two proud, beaming parents. And, just like a birthday, all the presents that people bring are all for you!
Most people like to give traditional presents such as money boxes, photo frames (adorned with the word ‘baby’ or something similar), silver hairbrush sets or rattles. For some reason, silver is a common material for christening presents. Jewellery is quite common too, and it is nice to look back, as you get older, on a bracelet or anklet that once fit around your chubby limbs.
Nowadays, christenings have competition from the increasingly popular ‘naming ceremonies’. These are very much like a traditional Church of England christening but the religious connotations are removed slightly and family values reinforced. Does the rise in this type of ceremony signal a decline in interest towards religion? Will we get to a point where churches are no longer needed because they are permanently empty?
I hope not, even though I would not describe myself as overly religious. Churches serve a purpose and also provide huge historical interest. For most people in today’s society, a christening or wedding are fantastic excuses to get together with our nearest and dearest; too often we find time passes us by. Talk about the feel good factor!
A christening may be the first time distant relatives have even met the little cherub. And it could be that the little cherub’s wedding is the next time they meet too. Sad, but for some families, completely true!
Each baby christened receives a christening certificate which usually states the date, the baby’s name and the vicar who has done the deed. A lovely present to cherish would be a certificate holder so that the original document stays blemish free and intact.
For anyone who wants to stay away from ‘traditional’ and wants to give a christening gift that is a little different, you can now buy a ‘walk of Fame’ star in the baby’s name – just like those they have down Hollywood Boulevard. Now they don’t have to aspire to be a ‘Z’ list celebrity when they grow up, they’re already famous in their own right!
After the event, it’s usually back to the local pub or village hall – or even back to the family home. Alcohol flows freely for all the toasts, welcoming the baby into the world. Best clothes are brought out of the wardrobe as are hankies for all the grandparents and even godparents who are of a sensitive nature!
Godparents have a fantastic role. They get to be on the front ‘stage’ that day, they get talked about more than the grandparents and they don’t usually have to do a thing for it. How many people even know for sure who all their godparents are?
I am taking a light-hearted view; a lot of grandparents are honoured to be asked, and fully intend to fulfil their respective duties. Though for the parents, this may entail babysitting every other weekend!
