What to give a boy for christening?

According to the Orthodox tradition, it is customary to baptize children at an early age. Most parents prefer to carry out the ceremony before the one-year-old anniversary of the baby. This day becomes a big bright holiday for the whole family. The rite of baptism opens a new world to the little Christian and gives the faith with which he will go further in life. Christening gifts also have a sacred meaning.

It is believed that things donated for baptism have an impact on the future life of a child, so they try to choose them carefully. They should serve as amulets for him to protect him from all adversity and help on the path to happiness.

Some things are optional. For example, if it's cold, instead of a christening shirt, a warm blouse is allowed. The color does not fundamentally choose white, you can sky blue, cream and their shades. Christening kits are often ordered with personalized embroidery. An obligatory attribute for a baptismal procedure is a baptismal towel or the so-called kryzhma. For sewing, dense white material is usually used, most often cotton, bleached linen.

Kryzhma is a talisman for a baby that protects him after the baptismal ceremony. It is customary to keep such a thing away from prying eyes. It is not customary to wash and use the baptismal towel in everyday life. After the rite of baptism, the kryzhma acquires special properties: to heal a person when he gets sick.

If you wish, you can give your godson a thin diaper. If a boy is in infancy, he is first wrapped in plastic, and then in a canyon. As usual, the products are decorated with embroidery in the form of a cross, the name of the baby, various church symbols, patterns. A bag for storing cut strands is not an obligatory little thing, but very touching and memorable for the parents of a baptized baby.

Taking into account financial possibilities and wishes, the godmother buys some other things for christening. Better to get them in the church. It could be children's bible, written in large letters for the younger generation in simple, understandable language. All stories in it are presented in the format of stories with vivid illustrations. Nominal icon after baptism is bought in the church. After baptism, the boy will be named by the name chosen by the priest.

Often, the godfather buys the above attributes for baptism himself or together with the godmother. There are some nuances in choosing the main (mandatory) and other gifts.

• Pectoral cross. It is a must-have gift from the godfather. A product made of any metal is suitable, but most often gold or silver is chosen. It is important that the cross was previously consecrated by the priest. If desired, a chain is attached to the cross, but usually a rope is used in the first year of life.
• Orthodox prayer book. A collection of prayers necessary for Christians at different times in life. The size of the edition can be different - from a pocket format to a large gift layout.
• In addition to symbolic gifts, spiritual parents can give something extra on your own:
• Luxurious gift for a child – a set of silverware with engraved name of the godson and the date of the event. A silver spoon with a birthstone is also suitable. It is given for the first feeding and the "definition" of the first tooth.

Members of the older generation of the family also carefully prepare for the ordinance of baptism. They are looking for a special gift for their grandson. For example, they give the baby a silver pendant with the image of a guardian angel on a chain or string. A precious metal photo frame is also suitable as a gift in honor of an event. It can be decorated with patterns of Orthodox symbols. It is placed in the nursery and carefully kept for good memory.

In addition to memorable gifts, grandparents try to pamper their grandson with toys and clothes. They combine practical and beautiful things to benefit parents by making it easier for them to spend on their baby.

Guests are not subject to any mandatory christening gift rules. They can bring flowers, balloons, soft toys, books, some clothes, useful and practical gadgets for young parents with them to the holiday.

Of course, a christening gift for a child is not like what is given on other occasions. A successful present is intended to become a wonderful memory of the bright day of christening. But it should not be exclusively symbolic. An appropriate option is to present the parents of the baptized baby with a beautiful box for storing the first milk tooth, a navel with a clothespin or a cut curl.

You can also choose an amulet that is pinned to the child's clothes. She protects the baby from the evil eye. Often given: sets of clothes in a beautiful gift box, an elegant suit (you can grow up), toys according to the age of the child (a mobile in a crib or a stroller, a rug for educational games, original products with personalized engravings to decorate the interior, a pool with balls for the development of motor skills) ...

The child grows very quickly, which means that soon he will need a lot of useful things for successful development. In addition, there are gifts that will be useful to parents in everyday life for caring for a growing baby. You will need a feeding chair from 6-7 months. During the period of the first feeding, you cannot do without a comfortable seat. In the set for the highchair, you can give special children's dishes.Of course, made of safe materials, high quality and unbreakable. A set of bibs that protect clothes from stains can also be a useful and practical addition to the main gift.

Bed linen with borders will never be superfluous as a spare set. Choose a color that suits the boy. The fabric is only natural cotton. Instead of tolokars and walkers, it is better to present a soft ottoman, a chaise longue with seat belts and an orthopedic seat. It will be very useful if such a thing is equipped with a motion sickness mechanism, an arc with toy pendants and built-in melodies.

The electric car is designed for the age of 3 years, but parents will be glad that they have a useful item in stock. Cocoon is designed for children aged 3-6 months. This is a convenient device for mom, so that the baby always stays in front of her eyes. The product is easily carried from place to place. A paid certificate for a photo session can be added to the photo album for shots of the first years of life.

Most often, the boy is given cars, airplanes, construction sets and other toys. They can be ordered according to individual preferences and with commemorative engraving. A radio or video nanny is a modern invention that will make it easier for parents to care for a baby. Now it will be possible not to sit by the crib all the time. They will be able to hear their child from any corner of the house.

Guests invited to the baptism can first ask the parents what they need for the baby right now. They may be missing a playpen or soft-lit nightlight for night feedings. If all the ideas do not fit for personal reasons, and a decision is made to donate money, it is necessary to present them beautifully. For example, in a symbolically decorated envelope or box.

Also, guests can bring holiday gifts not only for the boy, but also for his parents. It could be basket with fruits or sweets. Or personalized cake to the christening, which will certainly be treated to all those present at the celebration. You can wash down a sweet dessert with "Kahor", but not simple, but collectible, with good aging. Another congratulation idea - organization of photo or video filming of christenings. You can order flowers delivery to the place of celebration of the completed rite of baptism.

Orthodox, symbolic gifts are always relevant for christenings. A tribute to tradition - an icon to the godson. It can be an image of a patron saint. The image is placed next to the bed to protect children's sleep, and later - as a talisman from all adversity. Alternatively, instead of the image of the patron, a measured icon. Presenting it for christening is also symbolic. Such an icon was made by the master to order, creating the image of the patron saint of the newly minted Christian. It was written on a board, the size of which was the same as the height of the baptized child. The personal icon was preserved for life.

A universal icon for boys - with the face of Nicholas the Wonderworker or a guardian angel. If it is difficult to choose an icon, you can ask the priest for advice. For example, if a child is often sick, it is recommended to purchase an icon of Panteleimon the Healer, and for a talisman against troubles - the face of St. Matrona. It is better to choose a large icon with the image of the Savior. Kids are very sensitive to large visual images.

If the godmother has a creative talent for needlework, she can create a hand-made icon. Embroidery with threads or beads with love for the godson will become a strong amulet for him. But first it is important to ask a clergyman for a blessing for work. The godmother can decorate the kryzhma and christening clothes of the baby with embroidery. For example, embroider a prayer or symbols of Christianity on them. Embroidering the child's initials will look gorgeous on bed linen in a crib.

A good gift for a christening boy will be a small icon... A small wearable icon will protect the baby from all evil and negative. Sometimes the scapula is kept under the mattress of the crumbs. When choosing what to give a boy for baptism, it is important to remember that it is important to do this from a pure heart. The gift is valuable not for its value, but for the attention rendered. Godfathers need to take responsibility for their duties. This mission is very important.

For information on what to give a boy for christening, see the next video.