Becoming a godmother or godfather is a commitment, not an honorary title. And you notice it straight away with the first gift: it should be more than what aunts and friends bring, but it mustn't upstage the parents. Too small seems indifferent; too big looks competitive.
This article answers the three questions that really come up: how much to spend, what to agree on beforehand, and, finally, what to write to go with it.
Why a godparent's gift works differently
The role of godparent is a long-term one. It doesn't end after the celebration; it stays with the child through starting school, First Holy Communion or confirmation, and often well beyond. That gives you the rule of thumb for the first gift: it should be something that lasts, not something that gets used.
That's why most godparents opt for engraved jewellery. A bracelet or necklace with the name and christening date is tucked away in a cupboard at first, brought out at some point, and then the child understands who it's from.
How much do godparents spend?
There are no fixed rules, but there is an expectation. Godparents almost always come in above what the rest of the circle of friends gives, and roughly on a par with the grandparents.
| Godparents and grandparents | €50 to €150. If you're also providing the christening candle, the jewellery often stays at the lower end. |
|---|---|
| Close relatives | €30 to €60. |
| Friends and other guests | €20 to €40. |
| Second godmother or godfather | If there are two godparents, they often split it: one gives the piece of jewellery, the other the candle or a savings account. |
More important than the amount is that the piece is wearable. An engraved bracelet that grows with the child will be around for longer than an expensive necklace that never fits.
What to agree on with the parents first
This is where most duplicate gifts happen. It's worth quickly asking about three things:
| Motif | The guardian angel is by far the most common christening motif. If parents and godparents order independently of each other, two angels can easily turn up. A cross, a heart or the birth flower make good alternatives. |
|---|---|
| Necklace or bracelet | Parents more often choose the bracelet because it can be worn straight away. That leaves the necklace for the godparents, as a piece for later. The other way round works just as well, but not both at the same time. |
| Engraving | Check the exact spelling of the name and the christening date. Middle names, double-barrelled names and whether the date is engraved with dots or in words are better sorted out beforehand than afterwards. |
The pieces godparents choose most often
Sorted by price, across the different materials. With all of them, you choose the child's birth month yourself. You can tell from the product title whether a motif card is included: if it is, the title ends in 'with card'.
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Guardian angel bracelet
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Satin name bracelet
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Guardian angel necklace
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Guardian angel bracelet with stone
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Guardian angel necklace with stone
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Cross necklace with stone
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Pearl bracelet with angel
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Guardian angel necklace 925
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Guardian angel necklace 925 with stone
For babies and toddlersWe work with stainless steel, 925 sterling silver, sailing rope and satin. Stainless steel is rust-free and kind to the skin. As with any jewellery for young children, the rule is: don't let them wear it unsupervised, and take it off for sleep.
What godparents are better off not giving
- The same as the parents. Two guardian angels on the same day is the most common mistake. A quick message beforehand prevents it.
- Toys. They're gone after a year. Being a godparent is a role meant to last twenty years, and the gift can reflect that.
- Just money. A savings account makes sense, but the child has nothing to hold on the day itself. Many godparents combine the two.
What godparents write on the greeting card
These lines come from cards our customers wrote themselves. They're short enough to leave room for the greeting and signature.
- On your christening, we wish you God's blessing on every path you take.
- May this guardian angel be with you wherever you go.
- We're always here for you.
- So you'll always have us close to you.
- Only the best for you, today and every day after.
- We're delighted to walk part of the way with you.
Space on the greeting cardYou add your text in the cart, in three fields: Greeting, Message and Signature. Around 150 characters fit on the card in total, spaces included. So allow about 100 characters for the message itself; the greeting and signature take up the rest.
Godi, Gotti, Götti
In Switzerland, godparents go by different names, and the terms are used differently from region to region. Gotti is the godmother, Götti the godfather, and Godi is heard mainly in eastern Switzerland. If you're sending a gift from Germany to Switzerland, it's best to sign the way the family themselves say it.
When to order
We do the engraving ourselves and need 3 working days for it, plus delivery. So allow at least two weeks before the christening. If the date falls between May and September, it's christening season and things tend to take a little longer.
Frequently asked questions
What do you give as a godmother or godfather for a christening?
Most often, an engraved piece of jewellery: a necklace or bracelet with the child's name and christening date, often with a guardian angel, cross or birthstone. Pieces like these last, while toys disappear after a short while.
How much do godparents spend on a christening gift?
The usual range is €50 to €150, which puts godparents roughly on a par with the grandparents and above the rest of the circle of friends. If you're also providing the christening candle or sharing the gift with a second godparent, you'll often stay below that.
Should godparents and parents coordinate beforehand?
Yes, about three things: the motif, because the guardian angel is chosen so often that two can easily turn up; the type of piece, because parents tend to go for the bracelet and godparents for the necklace; and how the name and christening date are written for the engraving.
Necklace or bracelet for a godchild?
A bracelet can be worn straight away and is adjustable in length, usually between 13 and 22 centimetres on the knotted styles in satin, nylon and sailing rope. With the pearl bracelet, you choose a size instead. A necklace is usually put away until the child is older, so it carries more weight as a keepsake.
Is a card included with the christening gifts?
With every order, we print your personal message on a greeting card free of charge and enclose it. In addition, every piece whose title ends in 'with card' comes with a matching motif card.
What do Godi, Gotti and Götti mean?
These are the Swiss German terms for godparents. Gotti is the godmother, Götti the godfather, and Godi is heard mainly in eastern Switzerland.
How far in advance do I need to order?
Allow 3 working days for the engraving plus delivery time, which means at least two weeks before the date. Between May and September it's christening season, so it's better to order a little earlier.
For other symbols and what they mean, see the christening gift guide. You'll find the matching birthstone in the birthstone guide, and other recipients are covered in the gift finder.
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