If you care, there is not a single reason to hand over mediocre gifts. It isn't hard to distinguish special meaningful gifts from the not-so-special ones. There are several cues that separate one from the other. As a rule of thumb, always try to put your best foot forward. It is already an honor to witness, and be part of someone else's entry to Christianity. You mean something that's why you're there. Kindly repay the invitation with a christening gift, tagged with generosity, love and care.
If there is one thing you should not do, it is to allow the clock to tick past the day before the baptismal event without a gift. There are 3 main reasons why you should not do this:
Quality It is not different from a college student studying for a long exam just the day before a test. When choosing the perfect christening gift, provide enough time to browse through dozens of possibilities, found from both online stores and shopping malls. Time is love. The more time you spend searching for a grandchild's gift, the more meaningful it becomes.
Non-reflective Buy Do not buy something without the real intention to. Procrastinating could lead to unwanted products or "Wrong buys." Sometimes, being in so much hurry and panic drives you to grab something and pay for it, without prior knowledge of product details, instructions, guarantees and other important pieces of information. This makes the gift non-reflective, almost undeniably apathetic; plus, they may also contain warning signs stating: Unsuitable for children below 2 years of age (or something similar, acting as a limitation).
Value Your carelessness could be someone else's stroke of luck. Procrastinating could rip your pockets open unnecessarily. It takes demanding effort to meet the ideal price range for gifts. This includes browsing through different types of products and haggling. Without enough time, the short way out could mean a 10-30% mark-up or a price not worth every penny.
Lasting and Personal Presence
You will probably only do this once for this person. Every godparent has to take responsibility for the growth and development of a child: mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Let him or her always be reminded of your presence through a gift that lasts. Be remembered even as time washes the christening day into a bygone memory.
Don't give christening gifts that are only for short-term use like baby food, clothes, toys and the like. Build an immortal monument in your godchild's heart; ideally choose a personalized item (scapular, bracelet, utensils like a silver spoon and plate, etc.), engraved with both your name and the child's. Give him something to look back to a souvenir that lasts. Be remembered as the special person who once dropped by just to help him enter the House of God. Stay there with him, even when you are not able to pay a visit.
