As a godparent, you make a promise that extends far beyond the christening ceremony. You accompany your godchild on their journey, acting as a confidant, sometimes a guide, and always a point of contact. The christening marks the beginning of this special relationship — and your gift should reflect that. It's not the quantity that matters, but the significance. A single engraved silver spoon with your godchild's name says more than a whole basket full of mass-produced items.
For centuries, 925 sterling silver has been the material godparents choose for christenings. It symbolizes purity, protection, and permanence. It can be engraved with the child's name. It outlives generations without losing its value. And when your godchild grows up one day, they will take the silver spoon from the shelf and know: "My godparent gave this to me. On the day of my christening."
Christening Gifts for Godparents — 925 Silver with Engraving and Gift Box
Baby spoons, christening cups, gift sets. Handmade, personal, for life.
Christening Gift Sets for GodparentsHow much money should a godfather or godmother give for a christening?
Before we get to specific silver gifts, here's the answer to the question almost every godparent asks: How much money is appropriate for a godparent?
Common guideline: €50–150. Where you fall within this range depends on your personal connection, the region, and your financial situation. Those who see their godchild frequently tend to give €100–150. Those who live further away are well within the appropriate range with €50–80.
Godmother specifically: The guideline is the same — €50–150. However, many godmothers deliberately look for alternatives that are more lasting than an envelope. This is also the background for why this article exists.
Godfather: Same range, same recommendation. Tradition does not differentiate between godfathers and godmothers.
Also for Confirmation and Holy Communion: The range here is similar (Confirmation often slightly higher, €100–200), but the logic remains: significance trumps amount.
An honest note from experience: Over 80% of godparents who come to us are not really looking for "money or no money" — but for a gesture that their godchild will carry with them for a lifetime. This is exactly what an engraved christening spoon or a guardian angel set is for. Amounts are detailed by recipient group in our comprehensive money guide: How much money for a christening? Complete table for godparents, grandmothers, aunts & guests.
But if you've landed here because you're actually looking for lasting alternatives to a money gift — read on. That's exactly what this guide is about.
What godparents most often give — and why
💝 For every gift, we design a digital SilverVerse card in photo format — with a personal verse, as a high-quality photo print, and included free of charge if desired.
The most traditional christening gift from a godparent is the engraved silver spoon. The English idiom "born with a silver spoon" has, since the 14th century, represented the wish for a good start in life. An engraved christening spoon made of 925 silver symbolizes exactly that: nourishment, protection, prosperity. It is available with an angel motif, with the child's zodiac sign, with enamel accents in blue or pink, or simply polished. More details here: Engraved Silver Spoons for Christening.
If you want to give more than a single spoon, opt for a gift set. A children's cup plus a baby spoon from the same line, in a gift box — the child receives their first own cup and spoon, together a small ensemble that belongs together like godparent and godchild. For boys, there's the Angel Set in Blue, for girls the Angel Set in Pink. If you want a gender-neutral gift, choose the star design — polished silver without a color code, which works for any child. The engraving with the individual name makes the piece personal, not the motif.
A particularly emotional choice is the silver baby rattle — it jingles with the first grasp, gleams in the light, and becomes a keepsake on the bedside table after infancy. The tradition of the silver rattle dates back to the 16th century. Some godparents give a rattle and spoon together — so the child has two pieces that belong together from the very beginning.
For Orthodox christenings, there are sets with an icon and cross pendant: a silver spoon, a folding icon (guardian angel or Kazan Mother of God), and a wearable 925 silver cross pendant. These sets combine the spiritual with the material — exactly what christening as a sacrament means. And for a grander gesture, a children's cutlery set — spoon, fork, small knife with the child's name, accompanying them from their first purees to the family table.
If the gift is to become a work of art — Niello from Veliky Ustyug
For godparents looking for something truly extraordinary, there are the Niello pieces from the SevChern manufactory. Niello is a black sulfur-silver alloy that is melted into engraved line relief at 800 degrees — a deep black ornament on polished 925 silver that does not fade and only becomes more contrasted with every polish. The Niello christening cup with angel motif is the piece that will make guests at the christening stand still and ask: "Where did that come from?"
The answer: from Veliky Ustyug in northern Russia, one of the three great Niello centers of Russia (alongside Tula and Kubachi in the Caucasus). The SevChern manufactory has been working in this tradition for 340 years, officially recognized as Russian folk art. Each piece undergoes 15 steps — from the first hammering of the silver form to the final polish. A Niello christening cup is not a mass-produced gift. It is a work of art that your godchild will one day show their own children.
Engraving, Budget and the Personal Touch
Most godparents invest between 80 and 300 euros in a christening gift. A single baby spoon with engraving starts at around 80 euros, a gift set with a cup and spoon at around 700 euros, and a Niello christening cup at around 1,200 euros. More important than the budget is the meaning — a small engraved spoon with the godchild's name is more personal than an expensive item without connection.
Each piece is engravable on request: the godchild's name, christening date, "Your godparent [Name]", a short blessing. Some godparents also have the child's zodiac sign engraved — making the gift not only uniquely named but cosmically unique. We include a free SilverVerse card with every personalized piece — the letter that tells the story behind the gift.
By the way: If the christening comes months after the birth, as a godparent, it's best to give twice. A small item for the birth (spoon or rattle), and the main gift for the christening (cup, set, Niello piece). This way, the child has a coherent mini-family silver after both occasions. The complete timeline can be found here: Silver Gifts for Baby — from Baby Shower to 1st Birthday.
✦ Material: 925 Sterling Silver, food-safe according to EU standards
✦ Classics: Christening spoon with engraving · Gift sets cup+spoon · Christening cup · Baby rattle
✦ Premium: Niello christening cup from Veliky Ustyug (SevChern, 340 years of tradition)
✦ Budget: from €80 (single item) to €1,200 (Niello christening cup)
✦ Engraving: Name, christening date, zodiac sign, blessing — on request
✦ SilverVerse card: free with personalization
✦ Delivery: in gift packaging, recommendation 2-3 weeks lead time
Note: This guide refers to the classic infant christening. If your godchild is an adult, other recommendations apply — see Christening Gift for Adults: Woman, Man & Adult Christening.
Frequently Asked Questions for Godparents
What is the most popular christening gift from a godparent?
The engraved silver spoon — a tradition for centuries. After that: gift sets of cup and spoon, and for Orthodox families, sets with an icon and cross.
Should I, as a godparent, also give money?
A matter of taste. Many godparents give a silver item as the main gift and forgo money. Others combine a smaller item with a money envelope. Both are perfectly fine — the gesture counts.
What should I engrave on the christening gift?
The most popular engravings: the godchild's first name, the christening date, "Your godparent [Name]", or a short blessing like "God's blessing be with you". Initials also work, especially on small spoons.
Boy or girl — does it make a difference for the gift?
Silver is gender-neutral. The difference lies in details like color (blue/pink enamel) or motif (teddy bear boy/princess). If you're unsure: polished silver without a color code always works. Guides for boys and girls.
Can I order at short notice?
For in-stock items with engraving, within a few days. Recommendation: order 2-3 weeks before the christening.
All christening gifts: Gifts for Christening (over 190 items) · Ready-made Sets · The Complete Guide · What Grandparents Give
You are a godparent. Give something that lasts as long as your promise.
925 Sterling Silver with engraving — personal, meaningful, for life.
Christening Gift Sets for GodparentsIf you want to browse beyond the role of godparent: In our guide Christening gifts: meaningful ideas that last you will find all meaningful christening gifts sorted by occasion, giver, and budget.