My husband and I were invited to the baptism and celebration party of one of his co-worker's daughter. She is somewhere between 1 and 2 years old... Not sure the exact age. The relationship between my husband and his co worker would be right in that between stage of friendly acquaintance and actual friend... If that makes sense. We were invited to the kid's birthday party, but were busy and didn't attend... So my husband would really like to attend the celebration after he baptism. We are not planning to attend the mass though.
Are we supposed to bring a gift? If so, what kind? Is it supposed to be something "spiritual" or just whatever? What would be an appropriate amount to spend on a gift for this caliber if friendship? This party will likely be pretty big, so I'm really not sure what to expect or what is expected of us.
Definitely bring a gift. The child will probably get religious items from family members. Unless you are close friends, it really is not very meaningful to give the child a religious keepsake. Maybe a children's story book that is religious. Otherwise, I would stick with cash or a gift card for something useful like a child's clothing or shoe store. Maybe tickets to a family event or the zoo? Between $25-50.
It sounds like you are leaning more toward gifting, yet don't want to over-do-it based on the level of friendship.
I would say a baptism card and a monetary gift between $25-$50.00. Hopefully it will go toward the child's future education.
That's my two cents.
If the party is big, my thought is that several people might bring a children's bible or picture frame (good ideas, just too many people). Cash would be fine, but as the child is so young, I think I would go with savings bond. I would get a nice Baptism card and a savings bond. As a parent, I would love that for my child!
Cash/check for $25 - $50.
Children's bible, picture frame or savings bond.
most baptisms we go to we bring a card with either a savings bond (if your close enough you can ask for the child's social security number) or a cash amount. I agree with previous poster. kids get a lot of bibles, crosses, figurines etc. I would skp those. get the religious card and stick some cash in it. we usually did $25 for friends and more for godchildren, family etc.
Baptismal gifts usually have a religious connection or are monetary. I think for this level of friendship, a little book and lovey (stuffed animal of some sort) would be appropriate and sweet.
Here is a book of "baby's first prayers":
http://www.amazon.com/Babys-First-Prayers-Melody-Carlson/...
Here is the Berenstien bears illustrated storybook bible:
http://www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Storybook-Living-L...
If you are uncomfortable giving religious gifts, you could give something like a stuffed animal lamb and a board book that has moral/spiritual overtones, like this board book:
http://www.amazon.com/This-Little-Light-Shelagh-Mcnichola...
Yes you are definitely expected to bring a gift. At a baptism reception/party we went to there was a table set up of pictures of the child and that is where everyone was expected to leave their gift. And I agree with a lot of the other posters that a monetary gift would be in order of at least $25 or more.
We just did a combined baptism, birthday, adoption party for our little 1-yo daughter. We received quite a few girl toys (our oldest is a boy) and cash / checks. We intend to put the cash / checks into her college fund. We also received a few gift cards, which ll come in handy for some new clothes in the fall.
I agree with the other recommendations for whatever denomination of cash you feel comfortable with. If you give a check, may I suggest the check be made out to the parents ... From my experience, it is difficult to cash a check made out to a minor child.
We used to give coin sets of the child's birth year or Morgan Silver Dollars in the protective coverings.
We collect numismatics and a gift of a special coin or set is usually appreciated. We did this for birthday's and Christmas as well for several years. My typical amount is $25 for friends and more for family.
