My 15 favourite christening gifts for 2026 (the boilersuit is my happy place)
Whether you’re shopping for your own godchild or looking for a thoughtful present for a family member or friend, these are the christening gifts I’d be genuinely delighted to give and receive. Given that I’m actually planning a double christening this year, the vibe is very much front of mind.
I’ve focused on keepsakes, beautiful everyday pieces and timeless heirlooms that families will enjoy long after the special day – but if you’re shopping for older kids, parents or have something else in mind, I can’t recommend sites like holly.co enough. Packed with seriously creative and gorgeously I want it options, Holly and the team refresh their inventory on a seemingly daily basis, almost everything is easy to personalise and delivery is super-simple.
This isn’t sponsored, by the way. I just love what Holly did next! The list below is pinched straight from my own Pinterest board, which I’ve lovingly updated with my favourite finds over the years.
Enjoy!
Little Dutch Memory Box, Baby Bunny – Mabel & Fox | £27.95
A memory box is one of those gifts that only becomes more valuable over time. Parents can tuck away hospital wristbands, first shoes, birthday cards, photographs and tiny mementos from baby’s early years, creating something they’ll love revisiting together in the future.
Pin goals: Beautiful enough to display in the nursery, but practical enough to actually fill with treasured memories.
Personalised St James Wash Bag – Initially London | £35
A personalised wash bag is a lovely alternative to a traditional keepsake because it grows with the child. It will come in handy for holidays, sleepovers and school trips for years to come.
Pin goals: A luxury gift that’s as practical as it is personal.
Alphabet Cups – Vibrant Home | £5.75
I’ve lost count of how many of these I’ve bought as little gifts. Colourful alphabet cups make brilliant first tableware – choose the child’s initials for an extra-personal touch, and you’ve got a gift they’ll use every day rather than tuck away in a cupboard.
Pin goals: Bright, playful and practical enough for everyday family life.
Heirloom Embroidered Baby Announcement Cushion – The Little Worne Store | £79
An embroidered cushion personalised with baby’s name and birth details is a beautiful addition to any nursery and has all the makings of a genuine family heirloom.
Pin goals: Timeless rather than trend-led, and something that could easily be passed down through generations.
Personalised Wooden Letter Train – Etsy | £6.59
Wooden name trains have remained popular for years because they work equally well as nursery décor and as a toy once little ones are old enough to play.
Pin goals: It looks lovely on a shelf before becoming a favourite toy.
Personalised Knit Baby Cardigan – Etsy | £16.80
A beautifully knitted cardigan embroidered with baby’s name is both thoughtful and useful. It’s the sort of piece that often appears in treasured family photographs before being carefully packed away as a keepsake.
Pin goals: Personal, practical and wonderfully classic.
Miffy Appliquéd Towel Cape – H&M | £7
A soft baby towel cape makes a lovely christening gift because it’s one of those everyday essentials that parents will genuinely use. H&M’s Miffy appliquéd baby towel cape adds a playful touch with the much-loved character design, while still feeling like a thoughtful keepsake for a little one.
Pin goals: Practical, adorable and perfect for those cosy post-bath cuddles – a gift that combines usefulness with a little bit of nostalgia.
G for Goose – Maison Flâneur | £23
Prints make wonderful christening presents because they’re gifts children grow up with. Add a handwritten message on the reverse and it becomes a keepsake they’ll treasure just as much as the picture itself.
Pin goals: A thoughtful gift that will be up on the wall for years to come.
Siskin Keet Baby Romper – MamaOwl | £28
Made from beautifully soft cotton pointelle, this timeless romper feels particularly special. The quality means it’s ideal for passing between siblings or saving as a keepsake.
Pin goals: Beautiful craftsmanship and wonderfully soft natural fibres.
Bunnykins Baby Set – Royal Doulton | £40
Royal Doulton’s Bunnykins collection has become something of a christening classic. The plate and two-handled mug are practical enough to use while remaining lovely keepsakes – we have two in our house, squirrelled away from our own christenings in the 80s and 90s!
Pin goals: Traditional without feeling old-fashioned.
KYC Boilersuit – Playing Out | £98
Not every christening gift has to be purely decorative. This cheerful boilersuit is perfect for little adventurers and offers something parents will genuinely get plenty of use from.
Pin goals: Stylish, practical and made to be worn rather than saved.
Pure Bliss Organic Cotton Romper – Shoo Shoos | £106
Made from organic cotton with an adjustable fit, this beautifully designed romper is made to last through multiple growth spurts.
Pin goals: Sustainable, incredibly soft and thoughtfully designed.
Vintage Floral Hair Garland – La Coqueta Kids | £18
If you’re shopping for an older baby or toddler, this elegant floral hair garland makes a lovely accessory for the christening itself before becoming a keepsake afterwards.
Pin goals: Delicate, timeless and perfect for special occasions.
Personalised Circus Safari Linen Cushion – Holly & Co | £105
A personalised linen cushion adds something meaningful to a child’s bedroom and becomes a lasting reminder of their christening day.
Pin goals: It’s personal without feeling overly baby-focused, so they’ll enjoy it for years
Personalised Rainbow Wooden Jewellery & Hair Accessories Box – Holly & Co | £43.45
Ideal for older children being christened, or simply as a gift that grows with them, this personalised box provides somewhere to store jewellery, treasured keepsakes and tiny memories.
Pin goals: A beautiful gift they’ll still be using well into childhood.
Do you have to buy a christening gift?
No. There is no hard-and-fast rule that guests must bring a christening gift.
Attending the ceremony and celebrating with the family is what matters most. That said, many people choose to mark the occasion with a thoughtful present, whether that’s a personalised keepsake, a beautiful book or something practical the child can enjoy as they grow.
Godparents and grandparents often spend a little more, but meaningful gifts come at every price point.
Remember – the christening gifts that stay with families aren’t necessarily the most expensive. Those alphabet cups I’ve included above start at just over £5, and the best gifts are the ones chosen with care, whether that’s a personalised keepsake, a beautiful book with a handwritten message or something practical that becomes part of everyday family life.
What makes a good christening gift?
The best christening gifts usually fall into one of three categories:
- personalised keepsakes that commemorate the day
- beautiful clothing, nursery accessories or heirloom-quality pieces
- practical gifts that can be enjoyed well beyond babyhood
While traditional gifts remain popular, many modern families appreciate presents that feel timeless rather than overtly religious, particularly if they’ll become part of everyday life.
What should godparents buy?
Godparents often choose something with extra significance, although there are no set rules.
Popular ideas include personalised keepsakes, engraved jewellery, children’s books with heartfelt inscriptions, memory boxes or even contributions towards a savings account for the child’s future.
The most meaningful gift is one that reflects your relationship with the child rather than how much you’ve spent.
How much should you spend on a christening gift?
There’s no fixed amount.
As a rough guide, friends often spend around £15-£40, close relatives between £30-£75 or more, while godparents sometimes choose a super-special keepsake or financial gift.
Ultimately, thoughtfulness matters far more than price. My guide starts at £5.75 for the alphabet cups and stops at £106 for the organic cotton romper – honestly, there is no set amount and I care far more about the thought and significance of a piece, when looking for ideas.
Choosing a gift they’ll treasure for years
When deciding what to buy for a christening or baptism, it’s worth thinking beyond the ceremony itself. A beautifully made keepsake, timeless toy or personalised piece often becomes woven into a family’s story, bringing back memories every time it’s rediscovered.
If you’re also celebrating a new arrival, our guides to breastfeeding snack basket ideas for new mum gifting and unique gift ideas for mums are full of thoughtful inspiration for treating the parents, as well as the baby.
