Silver spoons for children: when and why are they given?
A silver spoon for a baby is a fairly well-known gift, which is often given precisely at the christening of a child or in honor of the appearance of the first tooth. Such a spoon is not only a stylish cutlery, but also symbolizes the manifestation of caring for the baby. It is worth feeding a baby with a similar device, since silver has antimicrobial properties. Today there is a wide range of silver spoons. Let's take a closer look at when you need to give such a gift, what are the pros and cons of silver dishes, and how to choose the right accessory.
Features of traditions
Today, many adhere to church traditions, especially when it comes to the baby. Today, christenings are becoming more and more popular, and godparents are taking an active part in raising a child. Godparents make a commitment to God to take an active role in raising a child. Of course, this can be translated into reality when the baby grows up. But for a newborn, something completely different from the godparents is important: love and care. Usually for baptism it is customary to give a silver spoon from the godparents.
A silver spoon, presented for birth or baptism, has several main functions. She is a symbol of the manifestation of caring for a newborn. And this is not in a figurative sense, but literally. Silver has ions that destroy pathogens of both intestinal and viral diseases. Many doctors point out that silver is the healthiest precious metal option. In addition, it has been proven that if the baby grows surrounded by beautiful objects, then he will acquire an impeccable taste.
Do not forget that a spoon is usually the first item a baby needs during feeding. Therefore, it is advised to give a worthy spoon - a silver one, because the price for it is low. An excellent solution would be a spoon with a curved handle, because it is she who will allow the baby to learn how to properly hold the spoon while eating.
For children, you can purchase a silver spoon even if 1 tooth appears. This is a great gift "by the tooth". Typically, such items are made from 925 sterling silver, while the attribute is supplemented with Orthodox symbols. It can be an image of a guardian angel, a cross or a prayer. Do not forget about personalized spoons. Models with handles covered with colored enamel are very popular. Your baby's name engraving will also add value and uniqueness to the spoon. She will definitely become a favorite for the baby.
Today it is worth considering a silver spoon for christening or for the first tooth as a work of art. It can even be made a family heirloom, which in the future will be passed on from parents to children. Such a relic will allow descendants to remember their roots. It should be noted that silver cutlery has a positive effect on the baby's body. The beneficial properties of this metal have been known since antiquity. Spoons for baptism in Russia in the 18th century were very popular.
Since ancient times, a saying has come down to us: "Born with a silver spoon in his mouth." Such an expression could be said about a person who has a friendly, respected and wealthy family. This belief appeared in the 15th century, because it was during that period that the godparents, who lived in abundance, presented silver spoons. Usually apostolic spoons were given as a gift. They were so named because the cuttings of the instruments adorned the images of the various apostles, carved or engraved.
When should you give?
As already mentioned, it is customary to give a silver spoon to a baby at baptism or when the first tooth appears. The purpose of a spoon is quite simple - when a baby has a tooth, during this period he usually already switches to solid food, and you simply cannot do without a spoon. Many parents start feeding their baby with a silver spoon, because everyone knows the fact that silver has excellent antimicrobial properties.
Sometimes such a present can be received on the anniversary of the baptism. It is very important to understand that children grow up quite quickly. If you want your gift to be used and not stored in a holiday package, then you should choose the optimal size and shape. Often such a gift can be supplemented with important inscriptions: indicate the weight and height of the baby, as well as the name that he receives at baptism, so as not to forget. Thus, such a spoon will be a great gift for a lifetime. It takes on a symbolic meaning for everyone.
According to custom, it is the godfather who must give the godson a spoon made of silver. But today a brother or sister, family friends can present a beautiful accessory. Very often, it is the grandmother who wants to give such a present.
Pros and cons of a silver device
Since childhood, we get acquainted with various metals, while silver always occupies a special place. This metal is the personification of spiritual purity. It is he who is used to create icon frames. You can feed your baby with such a spoon, but not only due to its antibacterial properties. First of all, this gift is safe for the baby, as it will not hurt the baby. It has smooth lines, a smooth surface and rounded edges. It is worth considering both the advantages and disadvantages of such a famous baptismal gift in more detail.
So, the silver spoon attracts attention with several advantages.
- Silver dishes have excellent antimicrobial properties.It is silver that allows you to eliminate germs and bacteria that cause various diseases. In this case, intestinal infections should be noted. During the Middle Ages, with the help of silver dishes, including spoons, they protected themselves from polio and cholera, the outbreaks of which were quite frequent. And also such a spoon will protect the baby from the possibility of stomatitis.
- Silver cutlery is inexpensive, so not only a family member can give such a gift. Affordable cost is an undeniable advantage.
- Silver does not change the taste of food. The silver spoon does not oxidize food. It retains its natural taste without imparting any aftertaste.
- And, of course, you should also pay attention to the psychological aspect. When the baby grows up, he begins to understand that he ate from a silver spoon, and not from a regular one. His self-esteem increases, which contributes to further success.
Usually, each thing has both pros and cons. But nothing negative can be said about silver spoons. Their opponents are simply trying to dispel arguments about its merits. They claim that silver has little activity, so its effect is negligible. Today, sanitary standards are much better than they were before, so the possibility of contracting intestinal infections is reduced to zero, respectively, and the silver spoon does not fulfill its original function, so there is no need to use it.
And it is also emphasized that now manufacturers cover silver with a special protective layer, which minimizes the positive effect of this metal, and sometimes can even harm the baby. As a result, opponents of buying silver spoons show their uselessness, so they see no reason to overpay, because you can eat from ordinary or plastic appliances.
How to choose?
Today silver spoons for children are presented in a wide range. They may differ in design, price, manufacturer, and so on. To pick up an original, attractive silver spoon, you should pay attention to several nuances.
- Silver cutlery can be roughly divided into souvenir and household items. Souvenir spoons are not meant to be eaten, so they can even harm a child if not used as intended. If you want to buy a spoon for food, then it is imperative to ask for a hygiene certificate. Such a document guarantees that the product can be used both for disinfecting water and for feeding a baby.
- Each spoon must be stamped with the sample stamp. It is he who says that the product is made of precious metal. Only products made from high quality materials deserve attention. The silver fineness should be less than 925, which indicates that there is 925 grams of silver in one kilogram of the alloy used to make the spoon. If the product is of the lowest standard, then such material will darken over time. In addition, a large number of additional alloys reduce the beneficial effects of silver. It is not worth saving, buy the best.
- It is worth paying attention to the design of the product. A scoop of a spoon will contact the baby's mouth, so it deserves special attention. The scoop should be made without spraying. For example, souvenir spoons are often additionally coated with enamel to prolong the preservation of their attractive appearance. If the child will eat from them, then it is worth buying a model with a silver-plated scoop, then it will be covered with a thin layer of silver. You can purchase only those models for food that have enamel exclusively on the handle of the product. It also happens that varnish is used for decoration; it must also be presented exclusively on the handle.
- The silver spoon handle is the main decoration of the item.It can be presented in the form of a clock, while it is quite realistic to indicate the exact time of the baby's birth for an additional fee from the engraver. You can add uniqueness to your design with the help of an inscription. Then the name and surname of the baby is indicated on the handle. If the pen is decorated with enamel of different colors, it looks quite unusual and stylish. The child will definitely like the bright drawing made of colored enamel. The pen can be decorated with fashion prints, usually angels, cars for boys or dolls for girls are used.
- The location of the filigree elements also plays a big role. They cannot be near the scoop, because the product must be safe for the child.
- Spoon size matters. For babies, it is better to buy teaspoons. For older children, dessert options are suitable.
- The weight of the product affects the cost of the spoon. Usually its weight varies from 10 to 20 grams. The average length of the product is approximately 12-13 centimeters.
You can get a silver spoon on an individual order. For example, you can choose a cutlery with enamel, engraving, or gilding, although there are other decorative elements used to decorate spoons. Making an order will last from one to three weeks. Products with a simple design are the cheapest. Usually the price is 2 thousand rubles. If we consider a refined model, then its cost will be twice as much.
Important: it is forbidden to buy silver spoons from hands or from unauthorized trade points, because the products must have a quality certificate.
For a comparison of VD Jewelery silver spoons, see the following video.