[bubzillaiscoming]

DH is been asked to be godfather for some close friends of ours the husband is also godfather to our DS.

They are European, we are not.

They gave our son and 18ct necklace as a christening gift.

I have been told by other friends of mine who are European that a crucifix necklace is the 'expected' gift from the godfather. I bought a lovely gold cross for their son, but DH is upset that the one I bought is only 9ct. I did look for 18ct but couldn't find any that I liked or that were appropriate for a boy. DH is worried that we will cause offence by giving a 9ct necklace ...

So do I return it for one that is 18ct but UGLY, or do we buy a supplementary gift??

We obviously don't want to cause any offence ... Are we looking into this too much?

[Lilymoon]

Provided it won't cause you any financial stress and you can afford it, I would buy 18 ct i

would return it and try and find a nicer one elsewhere.

I think it would be really good to return the favour that they did for you.

[Funwith3]

My sister recently married into a Greek family. She and her new DH were asked to be godparents to another Greek couple's child.

Yes, she had to go out and fork out $800 for a cross. I believe it was 18 ct, but the price should give it away. Was yours around that price tag? She also HAD to get a lot of other very specific gifts such as 2 pairs of pyjamas, 2 outfits, a pair of shoes, 2 pairs of socks etc.

The whole christening cost my sister and her husband about $4000.

[Lilymoon]

Yes, she had to go out and fork out $800 for a cross. I believe it was 18 ct, but the price should give it away. Was yours around that price tag? She also HAD to get a lot of other very specific gifts such as 2 pairs of pyjamas, 2 outfits, a pair of shoes, 2 pairs of socks etc.

The whole christening cost my sister and her husband about $4000.

I pressume though that the favours are repaid at some stage though?

[bubzillaiscoming]

Damn, I looked in about 6 jewellry stores and found ONE 18ct cross in all of them! It was big and gaudy and ugly. But we love being involved in all their big family things and want to do the right thing - of course!

The cost isn't an issue.

The only alternative I could think of was to also buy him (as well as the cross) one of those baby bracelets with his name engraved on it, but it seems a bit girly. I can't think of anything I could add to the cross that would make it a suitable gift.

I guess it is back to the shops....

[Funwith3]

I pressume though that the favours are repaid at some stage though?

Yes...which makes it bearable.

[Owl_Little_Girls]

Damn, I looked in about 6 jewellry stores and found ONE 18ct cross in all of them! It was big and gaudy and ugly. But we love being involved in all their big family things and want to do the right thing - of course!

The cost isn't an issue.

The only alternative I could think of was to also buy him (as well as the cross) one of those baby bracelets with his name engraved on it, but it seems a bit girly. I can't think of anything I could add to the cross that would make it a suitable gift.

I guess it is back to the shops....

What about a name badge, one of the gold ones. They have both boys and girls, and you could have his name engraved on that rather then the bracelet.

[bubzillaiscoming]

I didn't know about the name badges ... I will have a look for them.

Thanks

[opethmum]

I would be saying to the baby's mama " Look we are wanting to get a cross for your DS but we can't find one that looks tasteful, we would hate to get something that is not suitable for this special and momentous occasion, did you want to come with me to choose? "
I am sure with that any sane person would love to come with you to get that perfect Christening gift for their child. That way there is 100% guarantee they would love it. I have done this for a Christening and it went down really well and they were happy to come.

[lynnemine]

What about going to a manufacturing jeweller rather than a chain store and asking them to make what you want. It will be better quality, better price and exactly what you want, rather than a compromise.