i am not religious so i'm a total dud when it comes to pretty much anything that takes place in a church. please bear with me.

my boyfriend's nephew's Christening is coming up in a few weeks and he was asked to be the godfather. the actual ceremony is formal, right? what's the "dress code" for such an event? of course, he will be in a shirt and tie...do i have to wear a dress or are nice slacks and a fancy shirt ok? (i have no part in the Christening...just a "spectator", if you will.)

also, what do godparents typically give as a gift? i'm scouring the internet for ideas but everything i'm coming up with seem like stuff that anyone could give. i was hoping for something more personal and meaningful.

also, maybe this is a dumb question but what's the difference between a Christening and a Baptism? is there a difference?

At our church, a dress would be OK and a pair of nice slacks/nice blouse would be OK too.

A couple of ideas for gifts . . . a children's bible (your boyfriend could write something in) or a small crucifix to hang in their room. My mom found a "guardian angel" picture that she had framed which turned out really nice.

What is the religious affiliation/church? That might help answer the attire question. I think at most churches, a dress of appropriate length or nice slacks and a blouse would be totally appropriate. The gift ideas I agree with as well. It's nice if it not only has a religious "theme" but also contains some kind of sentiment between the child and the godparent or gift giver. My dd got a lot of $$ though too...

It is nice to be a little dressed up so either outfit you mentioned would be fine.

A good gift from a godparent is a bible engraved with the baby's name and a savings bond.

the church is Catholic.

how much money is appropriate from a godparent? bonds are the best thing, right? that way the parents can hide them away 'til the kid is old enough to be responsible...that's what my mom did when i was born and got a bunch from relatives.

i get very worked up when it comes to gift giving...it just never feels like i'm doing the right thing!

This is just my opinion ..but

Church clothing: slacks/pants OK but nothing tight or revealing or low cut. Informal but not casual like a T-shirt. Fancy shirt ok, but again not tight, revealing or low cut as you have to respect the people who are members and the Priest and their faith. (Some churches do not allow women wearing slacks/pants in sanctuary, so it's good to ask first)

Gift: Practical type: Gift Cert to toy store, or dept store which has a "Baby Clothes" dept. Savings Bond (but I think you'll need to know the child's social security number to buy one now).
Personal Gifts: Engraved or lettered with Child's name - like a bed blanket or "throw", I can't think of anything that would be practical for an infant which one would want engraved - but again those things can be put away for child for when he/she gets older. The question is: would the parents remember to take it back out? Or would the item get "lost" for years and get thrown away without ever being used? Some people aren't that sentimental.


Religious: A Child's First Bible (go to a Christian book store for this or if their church has a gift shop). If the child is a girl, perhaps a piece of jewelry she can wear when she's older? Like a small cross on a chain or a cross ring? Or a heart locket which can be engraved? You can also buy a cross for a boy to use when he's older. Or Cross and Miraculous Medal together....you can get the cross and/or bible and a "Mass Card" (get that from the church).

Christening & Baptism: pretty much mean the same. In some denominations, they do not Christen or Baptise babies: they have "adult baptism" using a baptismal "pool" in the santuary. Adult baptism can be as young as 16 or so.