Gift Ideas for Baptism

Sometimes, it is a lot easier to give gifts to grown-ups because you already know what a colleague likes or what the husband needs. Sometimes, they even have their wish list. But for babies and kids, giving gifts may be a little tricky because you may end up giving the same overalls or sweaters as the other guests because you bought them from the same local store. Your next baptismal gift should be cute, fun, yet useful as well – and by useful we mean applicable for baby’s play too. Here are some gift suggestions for baptisms.

Bed and baby bath items are both cute and practical. Blankets are cute and especially memorable when it’s the same blanket they use until they grow up. There are different cute and playful designs readily available in your local department store. Pillows also come in various designs and different shapes as well. You can give regular pillows or the ones shaped with a stuff toy animal head and the body would be the pillow. Baby oil and toiletry sets are also readily available. Opt for the trusted brands and check ingredient labels as there are some items that may be harsh on the baby’s sensitive skin.

Keepsake gifts will be received well too. A keepsake box to store all of baby’s special and memorable items is something that will be useful even until he or she grows up. Photo frames can be displayed in any home so that can work well too and a stuffed toy is considered great gift idea as well. You can give baby CDs such as Barney or Baby Einstein for a meaningful and educational gift.

You can also consider getting small keepsakes as reminders of the special day. Sometimes you can browse through baptism favors and gifts online for even more ideas.

Be careful with edible gifts as well such as baby food or formula unless you are close to the mother or you know exactly what the baby is being fed. These items are readily available and while you can have them wrapped at the store itself, you can have your own personalized gift wrap to make it more special. You can place the gift in another gift bag or you can place it in a special box and hand paint it. Sometimes it is a nice idea to get something for the parents as well as the child, especially if you are close to the family.

Significance of Baptism for Catholics

Baptism is an important ritual in the Catholic community. This is the start of the child’s journey in his spirituality, and his or her parents, godparents, relatives, and friends are there to welcome him and support him. Beyond this welcoming ritual, baptism carries also with it other deep spiritual meanings and symbolisms that reflect some important aspects of the faith.

In baptism, the Holy Spirit gets to dwell in the child. Thus his spiritual life will be guided by the Holy Spirit, bringing him closer to Christ. This sacrament is a public proclamation that they acknowledge God in their life, and that they need Him in order to get through the challenges in their spiritual life and in other aspects of their life as well. Through baptism, God is honored because the sacrament in itself shows that God is the one powerful and loving enough to cleanse us from our sins.

It was mentioned in the bible that Christ was also baptized in River Jordan to show that being renewed again is possible only through God. Another mention of baptism in the bible is at Colossians 2, where it is said that the child, as he begins his life, can be freed from the sin he was born with, only through Christ. That’s why early on in his life, he should be baptized. Another deep significance of baptism is that during the ceremony, everyone is reminded of their baptism vows to turn away from sin and to acknowledge that sin brings us to death, and that the only way to be resurrected is through faith in Christ.

When the water is poured three times to the child’s forehead, it symbolizes that the child is one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This special occasion is marked by a whole day or half-day celebration complete with a reception, and all party necessities such as invitations, program and entertainment, baptism favors, and games. While the whole ceremony can be considered simple, the meaning of almost each activity, and every word used, is used to show that public proclamation of the child, and his involvement in the Christian community by becoming a person free from sin, saved only by God, denounces sin in his life, and the Holy Spirit dwells in him.

Baptism is important, sacred, and meaningful as its meaning goes beyond the one hour ceremony. The Catholic community is one with every child during baptism to show their love, support, and belief in one another.