Considered by many as a keepsake to mark someone’s rite of passage, Christening gifts have been given for thousands of years as a token of love and best wishes for the path ahead. Now Phil Hertel from Personal Presents, the specialist online retailer of personalised gifts, is keen to keep the tradition alive with a new take on this traditional favourite...

Christianity took on many of the customs practiced by those in pre-Christian Europe including Easter and Christmas. It was thought that by doing so it would make this forward-thinking religion more acceptable to those in the pagan community.  Gift giving began as a ritual practiced by the pagans, which was then superseded by Christianity to coincide with the gifts given to baby Jesus in the form of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.  Today, Christening gifts have taken on a new lease of life, and swapping Gold for Silver, today’s tokens of love and affection tend to be of a plated nature.

Mr Hertel, from the firm who offer christening gifts, personalised anniversary gifts and specially birthplates, said, “The tradition of giving silver plated gifts came originally from the age old saying ‘he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth’, considered to be setting someone up for a wealthy life, the Apostle Spoon has long been a token of prosperity and a favourite with gift-givers everywhere.  Christening gifts in the 21^st century are constantly evolving and this is why it is much more common for newborns to receive China, candles, or gifts made from pewter.”

The Stork Tankard, available from Personal Presents, is the ideal gift in Pewter, as it offers the receiver something that he or she can treasure into later life.  Priced at just £22.99, this is a beautiful gift that will certainly not have a huge impact on the pocket.

For gift-givers looking for something quirky, the Zodiac Tiles Range gives an interesting take on the traditional Christening keepsake. This exclusive item was designed specially for Personal Presents in England and is a great way to preserve those important birth details along with the basic data for your Aquarius child. 

Mr Hertel added, “This is a truly unique product and is hugely successful partly down to the attention to detail this superb item has to offer.  Each of the illustrations on the tile is carefully hand coloured, making each one unique. The baby`s birth details are expertly hand-personalised in 22ct liquid gold, and all that has to be specified by the customer is the star sign and birth details."