How Much To Spend On A Christening Gift (UK 2026)

How much to spend on a christening gift

Christening gifts are smaller than people fear. Most guests spend £20 to £30, and the gifts that get kept are rarely the expensive ones.

Typical UK ranges for 2026 below, split by your relationship to the family, and the same guidance applies to baptisms and naming ceremonies.

Christening cards and keepsakes

Blank inside, so you can date it.

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Browse christening cards

Typical budgets by who you are

  • Friend or colleague: £15 to £30.
  • Close friend: £25 to £50.
  • Aunt, uncle or cousin: £30 to £50.
  • Grandparent: £50 to £150, often a keepsake meant to last.
  • Godparent: £50 to £100, traditionally something with the date on it.
  • Attending as a couple or family: one gift between you is normal. Shop this card
  • Not attending but want to mark it: a card and a small keepsake, £10 to £20.

Money as a christening gift

  • Cash is perfectly acceptable and increasingly common - £20 to £50 from guests.
  • Premium Bonds start at £25 and are the traditional 'from the grandparents' version.
  • A contribution to a savings account beats another soft toy, and parents will say so if asked.
  • If you give money, add a keepsake card - the card is what goes in the memory box.

Gifts that actually get kept

  • Something dated. A keepsake with the christening date beats an untagged ornament every time.
  • A book with a written inscription inside the cover.
  • A framed print for the nursery wall.
  • A candle or keepsake for the day itself, given to the parents rather than the baby.
  • One good thing rather than three small ones.

What to write in the card

  • Wishing [name] a lifetime of love, luck and laughter.
  • On your christening day, with love from all of us.
  • A small gift for a big day - congratulations to you all.
  • Something for [name] to keep, and something for the future.

Etiquette worth knowing

  • There is no obligation for guests to bring a gift at all - your attendance is the point.
  • Religious items are traditional but not expected from non-religious guests.
  • Godparents are not obliged to spend more, whatever the internet says.
  • The same budgets apply to baptisms, communions and naming ceremonies.

Browse christening cards

How to write it so it lands

  • Write the date inside the card. It is the detail families are grateful for years later.
  • One keepsake beats three toys. Christening gifts are kept, not played with.

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

How much should a guest spend on a christening gift?

£15 to £30 is the normal range for a friend or colleague, and £30 to £50 for close family.

Is money an acceptable christening gift?

Yes. £20 to £50 in a keepsake card is common, and Premium Bonds from £25 are the traditional version.

How much do godparents spend?

Usually £50 to £100, often on something dated that the child keeps. There is no rule and no expectation to outspend anyone.

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