Virtual baptism: gifts?

[Susie]

My BFF's daughter is going to be baptized on Sat., across the country from me.  She asked me a while back to be her DD's godmother, but the logistics and final date just came together recently.  I'm going to participate via zoom, as will the grandparents and godfather.  I think they were hoping in person would become possible, but eventually they got to a point where it was clear that people on the east coast/west coast/Europe would not be able to be in the same place any time that we can currently foresee.  So, here we are at zoom baptism.

What does gift protocol look like on a 2020 zoom baptism?

Truth be told I'm not 100% sure what I'd have gotten her if it were in person, but the zoom thing makes it all even more strange.  Like do I prime something?  Snail mail?  Roll it into Christmas?

My friend is my DD's godmother, but unfortunately I don't remember what she gave DD to use that as any kind of guide.  My mom ended up passing away the weekend of DD's baptism and the whole thing is a blur.  They are not super religious; the baptism is more of a "sake of tradition" kind of thing.

[icedcoffee]

Money.

[icedcoffee]

If you really want something physical. My H's cousin Amazon-ed us a ceramic cross before the basptism with a note that "if you remember, bring this with you to the baptism for the priest to bless". I did that and now it hangs in his room. It was a nice sentement.

I think it was this one:

www.amazon.com/Praying-Hand-Painted-Glazed-White-Porcelain/dp/B00DP01KOC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LYU9EK95F3XX&dchild=1&keywords=baby+boy+cross+for+wall&qid=1607375525&sprefix=baby+boy+cross%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-3

[mccallister84]

Both of my girls received cross necklaces from their godmothers. Otherwise I’m 99% sure the remaining gifts were all $$.

[HoneySpider]

Send money!

Most of the boys' gifts were money with a some keepsake items (much more for DS1 than DS2). We just redid their room and realized they really have too many baptism keepsakes...and I'm not sure what to do with all of them.

[jennistarr1]

as a godparent I think I small religous gift (a wall cross, a bible, a medal) along with a sizeable money gift for bank account (100-200)

[nicolewi]

$$$$$$
For sure.

[Susie]

Hmm.  I know money is usually the answer... I just feel weird because she and I have been friends for 20+ years, have been in each other's weddings, now we're godparents to each others' firstborns... and neither of us has ever given the other money as a gift before.  Always a thing.  Maybe a 529 contribution and a small thing, if I can think of the right small thing.

[nicolewi]

I got mostly money for my kids' baptisms and really, I loved it. You can only have so many small religious items for a baby. If you wanted to also send a small keepsake that would be nice as a bonus, since you are super close. Probably look at Things Remembered or similar. My brother got my daughter an engraved angel snow globe, and that was pretty. For a First Communion we got a small engraved silver box/dish with cover. I really like that. It's practical and a nice keepsake you can leave on a dresser. I also think an engraved picture frame would be nice. SIL got one of my kids a stuffed lamb that says prayers when you squeeze it or something? It doesn't get a lot of use now but was cute in their rooms. We got a couple teeny tiny keepsake bracelets from people. They are very cute, but what do you really do with them over time?

[mbcdefg]

Money

If you want to add something else, I’d get a piece of jewelry. If they aren’t religious per se, I’d steer clear of crosses and do something classic/timeless. Idk how much you want to spend.

My family is of Irish descent (I think you are too, right?). My sister is DD’s godmother and gave her an adjustable claddagh bracelet, along the lines of this: www.glencara.com/catalog/product/view/id/84/s/silver-claddagh-celtic-knot-bracelet/ - is something like that an option for your friend’s family? Another cultural symbol?

DD has an add-a-Pearl necklace from someone we’ve fallen out with (we have, I think, 4 or 5 pearls) and the pearls are very tiny and clearly intended for a Small child, so that’s basically useless now, lol. She also received some lovely earrings but they’re clearly for an infant and we didn’t opt to get her ears pierced so those are also useless. But she’s worn the bracelet a few times and will probably be able to use it until she’s an older teenager and grows out of it.

[hermione]

Every baptism I’ve seen, the godmother gave the god daughter a gold cross necklace.