A godfather holds a World's Best Godfather mug on the sofa beside the parents and their baby in a white christening gown

June 28, 2025 Eloiza Adriano

Godfather Gifts for a Baptism or Christening: What to Give and What to Write

The best baptism gift for a godfather is a small, lasting thank-you from the parents: something he will use or keep, plus a card that tells him why you chose him. He isn't expecting anything big. What he'll remember is that you marked the day he took on a lifelong role in your child's life. Here is how to pick the gift, when to hand it over, and what to write.

1. Do parents give the godfather a gift at the baptism?

Yes. It's a common custom, though nobody has to do it. Godparents are often the only guests who get something from the parents that day. The gift says thank you for saying yes, and for the promise he makes in front of your family.

It's a thank-you, not a payment. Personal beats expensive.
Include the godmother. If your child has two godparents, put the same care into both gifts.
He will probably bring something for the baby. Your gift goes the other way, from your family to him.

If you haven't asked yet, start with our guide to asking him to be the godfather. And if he wonders what he's signing up for, you can read up on what godparents are for together.

2. What is a good baptism gift for a godfather?

Choose one keepsake from the day or one thing he'll use every week, and make it about his new role. Plenty of keepsakes end up in a drawer. A coffee mug with his new title on it gets picked up every morning.

A keepsake: a framed photo of him holding the baby, with the date written on the back.
A faith gift: a small cross, a rosary or a prayer card, if faith matters to him.
An everyday gift: one of our godfather mugs, which he'll still be using long after the photos go into an album.

The Godfather Definition mug sits nicely between funny and heartfelt. It reads like a dictionary entry: "A great teacher and role model. Tells occasional bad jokes and has some questionable habits. Always listens, supports, and protects. A superhero."

Godfather Definition Mug 11 oz White, image 2 of 5

Godfather Definition Mug 11 oz White, image 3 of 5

Godfather Definition Mug 11 oz White

$14.97 - $14.97

$14.97

$14.97 - $14.97

$14.97

3. When should you give the godfather his gift?

Give it after the ceremony, at the lunch or party, when you can hand it to him yourself. The service is busy and formal, and nobody wants to hold a gift bag while they hold a baby.

Best moment: a quiet minute at the party, before the cake, with the baby close by.
Second choice: the evening before, if he's traveling in for the day.
If he's far away: mail it with the card so it arrives that week, and send a photo from the day.

If the godfather and the godmother are both there, give the two gifts together. One thank-you said out loud to both of them means more than two rushed handovers.

4. What should you write in a card to the godfather?

Tell him why you chose him, then say what you hope he'll be for your child. Three or four sentences are plenty. You can also write it in the baby's voice if that comes more easily.

Why him: "We chose you because of the way you show up for this family."
What you hope: "We hope you'll be the one our son calls when he needs advice he won't take from us."
From the baby: "Thank you for saying yes before I could even say your name."
The thanks: "We love you. Thank you for standing up there with us."

Let the gift carry the joke so the card can stay sincere. If your godfather is proud of his beard, the Bearded Godfather mug does that job: "The most superior breed of godfather. The coolest and most fun godfather known."

Bearded Godfather Definition From Godchild Christening Coffee Mug 11oz

Bearded Godfather Definition From Godchild Christening Coffee Mug 11oz, image 2 of 5

Bearded Godfather Definition From Godchild Christening Coffee Mug 11oz, image 3 of 5

Bearded Godfather Definition From Godchild Christening Coffee Mug 11oz

$13.95 - $13.95

$13.95

$13.95 - $13.95

$13.95

5. Is a funny gift okay for a christening?

Yes, as long as the joke is a warm one and you save it for the party. A christening is a religious ceremony, but the lunch afterward is a family get-together. A gift that makes the godfather laugh fits right in there.

Hand it over at the party, not in church.
Keep the joke kind. Bragging rights, beards and bad jokes work. Anything crude doesn't.
Pair it with a sincere card. The gift gets the laugh. The card says the real thing.

A big, bold line like "This is what the world's best godfather looks like" on the World's Best Godfather mug is the kind of joke he'll show to everyone at the table.

This is What the Worlds Best Godfather Looks Like Ceramic Mug 11 oz White

This is What the Worlds Best Godfather Looks Like Ceramic Mug 11 oz White, image 2 of 5

This is What the Worlds Best Godfather Looks Like Ceramic Mug 11 oz White, image 3 of 5

This is What the Worlds Best Godfather Looks Like Ceramic Mug 11 oz White

$14.97 - $14.97

$14.97

$14.97 - $14.97

$14.97

6. How much should you spend on a godfather's baptism gift?

Spend what feels comfortable for a thank-you. There is no set amount. The day already costs your family money, and he isn't keeping score.

Small is normal. A mug, a framed photo and a card make a complete gift.
Keep the godparents even. Spend about the same on the godfather and the godmother.
Put the effort into the words. The card is the part he'll keep.

If money is tight, a handwritten card and a printed photo of him with the baby is a full gift on its own. The words matter more than the price.

7. What can you give the godfather in the years after the baptism?

Keep the bond going with small yearly moments, and let your child do more of the giving as they grow. The baptism is only the first day of a long role.

The baptism anniversary: send him a new photo of your child on that date each year.
His birthday: let your child pick or make something. Our list of godfather birthday gifts has plenty of ideas.
Big milestones: a first communion, a graduation, or any day your child wants him there.

For holidays and no-reason-at-all days, see our guide to unique godfather gifts. And once your child is old enough to hand over a present, the Godfather: The Man, The Myth, The Legend mug, with its crown and crest, makes a fun one to give.