The baptism of a child is an important event not only in the life of the baby himself, but also of his parents, godparents, and grandparents. Christening day is considered a person's second birthday.
After the ceremony in the temple, adults gather together to celebrate the baptism of the child. It is at this moment that it is customary to give gifts to the birthday person. These can be toys, clothes, books and any other things - it all depends on the imagination and financial capabilities of the donor.
Since christening is a spiritual holiday, an icon for a baby would be a particularly appropriate gift. Such a gift will always be relevant and necessary.
Icon for christening
At christenings it is customary to give a personalized icon . The namesake saint will take care of and protect the child, take care of his health and soul, and will help in various life situations. You can turn to the namesake saint with any request or problem. He will help you not to lose heart and will guide you on the right path.
Choosing a personalized icon for a child is not difficult: if the baby is named Alexander, an icon of Alexander Nevsky will do. For a girl named Sophia, buy an icon of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia.
If you can’t find a personalized icon, you can purchase the image of the Guardian Angel . The guardian will help avoid adversity and take care of the child’s health and soul. And when the baby grows up, the image of the Guardian Angel will help him both in work and in his personal life. You can turn to the holy image for help in solving difficult issues, for support in difficult life situations, for gaining spiritual and physical strength.
The less popular, but no less miraculous icon of St. Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow, will also make a wonderful christening gift for both a boy and a girl. Saint Alexy helps in any new endeavors; you can read any prayers for health to him, before going to bed or after waking up. The holy image will help maintain health, protect against ill-wishers, and help in any everyday endeavors.
Icons of the Guardian Angel and St. Alexis can be given as a christening gift for a boy or a girl.
What the Church says to those wishing to purchase an icon
First of all, you need to understand that the holy image is not an interior decoration. It should not be taken as a talisman either. An icon is needed to pray . She brings grace to the house, but only if the person himself asks God for help and protection. If you put it in the house and forget it, there will be no point in it.
Icon as a gift
When choosing an icon as a gift for someone, you should think about whether this person is religious enough to treat the image with appropriate reverence. And, of course, such a gift is unlikely to suit people of other faiths.
About icons in Orthodoxy:
- Rules for storing Orthodox icons
- Who paints icons?
- How to choose icons for a wedding
On what holidays can icons be given?
In principle, you can give it as a gift just like that. But you can, of course, also for the holiday:
- At Christmas;
- for Easter;
- for the baptism of a child;
- name day or wedding.
In former times, there was a custom according to which parents blessed their children with images of the Savior and the Virgin Mary on their wedding day.
And when the couple had their own children, they were also blessed for their wedding with these icons. And so they were passed on from generation to generation and became a family shrine. Nowadays, icons are also given for birthdays. This is a new tradition, but of course there is nothing wrong with it. You can also give a holy image for any other significant event in a person’s life - housewarming, the beginning of the school year, admission to a university, etc.
Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Baptism gifts for a little boy from grandparents
At the christening of grandparents, a grandson is often given a silver tea spoon for his teeth. Preference is given to this metal because of its beneficial properties for the body: silver ions bind and remove toxins, improve metabolic processes. In addition, water and food in silver dishes are disinfected from bacteria and viruses.
| Grandparents can present their grandson with an icon of St. Nicholas, St. George the Victorious, Panteleimon the Healer or a wooden panel with angels. For a little boy’s christening, it would be appropriate for his grandparents to give him a warm blanket, a knitted blanket, or a souvenir pillow with an embroidered prayer or parable. A student can choose a colorful board game that promotes the development of intelligence and logical thinking. Our online store presents bright and colorful Orthodox games with a fascinating educational plot. The child and his parents will be pleased with the high quality of materials and stylish gift packaging. |
What to give an adult godson
Almost all children are baptized at a young age, mainly in the first year of life. However, it also happens that a child who has grown beyond the toddler age is involved in the sacrament. With this turn of events, some gifts that are customary to give to newborns will, of course, become completely inappropriate for an older guy. What to give a boy if he is an adult? A mandatory gift for any occasion is a cross on a chain . It will become a talisman for life. The Bible, icons, amulet, and psalter are also acceptable . The tradition is diversified by stands for icons, crucifixes and crosses decorated with stones and carvings . Candlesticks and vessels for holy water are also allowed . Modern children often buy CDs with Orthodox songs, videos, and films . An unusual gift that can please a teenager is a puppy, kitten, or other pet . It is rather a symbolic present, an attribute of friendship. Grown-up children are given all kinds of furniture and household items for . would also be appropriate , as well as, as an option, expensive wristwatches, medallions, bracelets . A pleasant, tasty gift that will be appropriate and on time is a birthday cake , which will then be shared by family and friends at lunchtime tea.
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Gifts not related to traditions and rituals
In addition to traditional gifts, the boy is presented with a lot of different general purpose souvenirs. It is considered good form to “hand” a child a certain amount of money . But before giving them, you need to agree on the amount with your parents. If they refuse material values, it is best to listen and choose something different for the baby. This could be small household appliances, a walker, a presentable stroller, or a night light .
You need to start from what the boy needs for the first months or years of his life. You shouldn’t give rash gifts; it’s important to bring something worthwhile, something that will be useful in everyday life.
If the choice is still on money, then let this gift be accompanied by some souvenir or toy . Material things will go away over time, but a modest gift will remain a reminder of the christening for many years. Often boys are given personal hygiene items, things for growth, shoes, and outerwear for . Before you go shopping, you need to consult with your parents and discuss with them all the details of the purchase. Then the benefit from the gift will be maximum. After all, it will be unpleasant if the result of rash decisions is a thing that the child absolutely does not need. Parents are the best advisers in this matter.
What should godparents give their godson?
The role of godparents during Baptism is very important, since they are the main participants in the Sacrament in addition to the child. The recipients, instead of the baptized one, renounce the devil and unite with Christ, thereby making a promise to lead the child to God.
Gifts from the godfatherOn the day of Christening, the godfather must give the godson a pectoral cross, which the priest will put on the newly baptized person at the end of the Sacrament. It can be either a product made of gold, silver, or a simple metal cross. The cross must comply with the canons of the Orthodox Church and be consecrated (this can be done on the day of Baptism). To wear a cross, select a chain, a gaitan of optimal children's length 40-45 cm, or a cotton rope that can be cut to the desired size. A good gift for a godson from the godfather would be a gold or silver icon with the face of the Patron Saint, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Christ the Savior, a pendant with a figurine of a Guardian Angel, or a silver bell. The latter has long been considered a powerful amulet that wards off evil spirits. |
Previously, the godfather fully assumed the financial costs associated with the organization and celebration of Christening. Today his unspoken duty is to make a donation for the rite of Baptism. If desired and possible, the godfather can also pay for photo and video shooting in the church as a gift.
Gifts from godmother
At Christening, the godmother should give the godson a kryzhma and a baptismal shirt. A good solution would be to choose a ready-made baptismal set, where the items of clothing match each other in style, shade and quality of fabric. You can give a newborn baby a set with a vest, which will be easy to put on a damp body after a bath, and with a cap with ties so as not to overcool the baby’s head. You need to check with the priest in advance about the headdress, since boys do not need it.
| The color of the baptismal robe for a boy is white. Embroidery and lace can be blue, silver or gold. Traditionally, crosses, floral patterns, vines, angels, and doves are embroidered on baptismal items. If desired, you can order a personalized kryzhma or a shirt with the child’s name embroidered, the date of Baptism, and the prayer “Save and Preserve.” Before Baptism, clothes need to be prepared - washed or, at a minimum, steamed with an iron and, of course, brought to the temple ironed so that the clothes look neat in photographs. In addition to the set, the godmother can give the godson warm knitted socks, a bib for communion, a bag for curls, a bag for storing baptismal clothes after Baptism. |
Kryzhma for baptism: what is it, why is it needed
Kryzhma is a special gift, which, according to popular belief, has a spiritual meaning, a hidden meaning. It is believed that if a person keeps it for a long time, then he thereby protects his happiness. During the baptismal ritual, the baby is wrapped in kryzhma after he is dipped in holy water . It subsequently becomes a reliable amulet against the evil eye and illnesses. It is believed that a sheet can be used to cure a sick child. It is enough to cover a sick baby with a sacred flap, and he will get rid of illness and fever during the eruption of his first teeth. After the ritual, it cannot be washed, much less used for household needs.
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As before, as now, the role of the kryzhma is performed by a piece of natural white fabric . It can be decorated around the edge with braid or embroidery. Instead of a flap, you can use a regular linen or terry towel. It is customary to embroider the name and date of birth of the child on it. This attribute is difficult to subsequently confuse with ordinary underwear. After the baptism ritual, the kryzhma is hidden in a special linen bag and stored together with a baptismal candle and a lock of the baby’s hair.
