Baptism Gift

[AndyMisiu 0]

My Fiancée has been asked to be the Godmother of her sister’s son. I believe I will be asked to be the Godfather this weekend when we visit her family in a couple of days. Knowing that we have a lot of expenses in the coming months (i.e. Wedding, AOS, Rent, New Vehicle, Leisure, and the other hardships of having one income during this process) what would be fair to give as a baptism gift?

My fiancée, who I think is living in a little bit of a dream world, wants to give $200.00. She feels it's comparable to what there giving in her home country. I normally wouldn't have a problem with this but giving the fact that we’re trying to save for a life of our own, I think it's a bit much. I am paid 100% commission and took off 4 of the last 12 months to be with her in Poland. Honestly things are a bit tight at the moment due to all I've invested already in bringing her here with me, money needed to complete the process, and the expense of living.

I want her to feel safe and secure and not to worry about money issues but at the same time I need her to be a little more understanding of our situation. I'm sure her sister would understand. How do I solve this issue? Do I view this as being something that is very important to her and her culture, bite the bullet and make a sacrifice? Or do I ask her if she would be comfortable with giving $100.00 because we are on a tight budget?

What would you do?

[Jenn! 918]

I gave my goddaughter a gold cross necklace for her baptism. I could be wrong, but I think it's traditional for the godparent to give a keepsake gift rather than cash.

[pedroh 21]

yea.. my godfather gifts are little jewelry pieces that don't fit anymore lol.. little gold chains, or silver bracelets

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I am not sure how it is done in Poland, but like Jenn, I gave my god-daughter a keepsake gift for her Christening, and of course send her other little gifts in addition to her birthday and Christmas presents. A god-parent's responsibility is primarily for the spiritual well-being of the child, especially if the parents are not able to be there. Good luck in working it out.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

How about a gift certificate or Gift Incentive Album (catalog of fixed-price gifts of which ONE can be chosen for redemption)?

[brnidokiegurl 0]

I think more on the lines of a keepsake more than money. SOmething they can cherish years later, I believe as Godparents you sign to watch over their well being and growth in a spiritual sense remembering special ocassions and birthdays.

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

My Fiancée has been asked to be the Godmother of her sister’s son. I believe I will be asked to be the Godfather this weekend when we visit her family in a couple of days. Knowing that we have a lot of expenses in the coming months (i.e. Wedding, AOS, Rent, New Vehicle, Leisure, and the other hardships of having one income during this process) what would be fair to give as a baptism gift?

My fiancée, who I think is living in a little bit of a dream world, wants to give $200.00. She feels it's comparable to what there giving in her home country. I normally wouldn't have a problem with this but giving the fact that we’re trying to save for a life of our own, I think it's a bit much. I am paid 100% commission and took off 4 of the last 12 months to be with her in Poland. Honestly things are a bit tight at the moment due to all I've invested already in bringing her here with me, money needed to complete the process, and the expense of living.

I want her to feel safe and secure and not to worry about money issues but at the same time I need her to be a little more understanding of our situation. I'm sure her sister would understand. How do I solve this issue? Do I view this as being something that is very important to her and her culture, bite the bullet and make a sacrifice? Or do I ask her if she would be comfortable with giving $100.00 because we are on a tight budget?

What would you do?

i thought the parents asked someone to be a godparent?

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Her sister did ask her, but it is possible to ask another male i guess. I dont know if written, has to be a married couple

[AndyMisiu 0]

Thanks to everyone who helped with this matter. I called Ania and we discussed the option of giving $100.00 or buying the little white babtism suite for baby Daniel. We also talked about giving a keepsake rather than both, we just need to discuss it further. We both communicated well on this and are working together. Thanks to everyone!!!

Edited January 9, 2007 by AndyMisiu

[Mary Lou 681]

I gave my goldchild a savings bond, which i continue to do every year since. Also i gave a keepsake for the bapstism.

[Caladan 19]

A necklace or a keepsake book or prayer book is traditional where I grew up.

Still, though, if you can swing it, I'd err on the side of generosity, and if it's a tradition to give the baby or his parents money, it's a bad time to be a cheapskate.

[gabby4ever 1]

godparents are spiritual parents to the baby....

when my son got baptized, he got a lot of things....gold cross, tons of clothes and about 7-800 $ if not more...200$ in my opinion is very very little....you are chosen to be the baby's "parents", you're supposed to take care of him if the real parents cant...or even if they can, you're still supposed to take care of him...so if you think 200$ is a lot, maybe its better if they chose somebody else....

[mellie 1]

Im with the savings bond group. Its an investment in the future!! Plus that way, you could get a 100 dollar savings bond, which will mature to MUCH more than that when its needed, and then you can get a small keepsake gift as well. A nice Bible was always the "Godparent" gift in our family. Hope this helps!

[Arazia 0]

godparents are spiritual parents to the baby....

when my son got baptized, he got a lot of things....gold cross, tons of clothes and about 7-800 $ if not more...200$ in my opinion is very very little....you are chosen to be the baby's "parents", you're supposed to take care of him if the real parents cant...or even if they can, you're still supposed to take care of him...so if you think 200$ is a lot, maybe its better if they chose somebody else....

Umm no, there is no responsibility for the godparents to take care of the child. They are to be the SPIRITUAL guidance for the child if their parents were to pass away or become unable. Becoming a godparent doesn't make you financially responsible for a child. If my parents had died, I would have been put into guardianship of my cousin, NOT my godparents. Legal/financial responsibility and spiritual responsibility are two very different things. There are plenty of people very close to god who have no money whatsoever. Look at priests.

I got savings bonds when I was baptized. You could take the $100 and invest it in a bond, and by the time the child is older it will be worth double. I think keepsakes are nice as well. I don't think you should be required, by any means, to give some large monitary gift.

[Marilyn. 340]

my hubby became the godparent of one of his nieces a few months ago.... we were "asked" to get her this gift set, that included among other things a candle, a rosary and a prayer book...

we didn't get her anything other then that....