A Guide to Christening Gifts in Silver
Choosing a christening gift usually comes down to one question: what will still mean something in twenty years? Silver has answered that question for longer than almost any other gift material, and every piece we sell is fully hallmarked in the UK. This guide runs through the types of silver gift most families choose for a christening, what to look for in each, and how engraving turns any of them into something personal.
Why Silver Marks a Christening
A christening gift is usually a child’s first personal possession, the first thing that belongs to them alone rather than to the household. Silver has been the traditional choice for exactly that reason: it doesn’t wear the way plated metal does, and a well-made piece bought now will still be recognisably the same object at a twenty-first birthday, or a wedding. The hallmark struck into it is a permanent, independently verified record of when and where it was made: effectively a birth certificate for the object itself.
Types of Christening Gift
There’s no single correct christening gift. Families choose differently depending on whether the piece is meant to be used, kept, or eventually engraved with a name. Here’s what each type actually offers.
Christening Mugs & Sets
The most traditional christening gift, used young, kept for life.
Keepsake Boxes
A first tooth or a lock of hair, kept somewhere considered.
Tooth Fairy Bells
Twists open to keep a first tooth safe.
Napkin Rings
Practical enough for the table, personal enough to engrave.
Enamel Animal Figures
Sized and finished to be handled safely by a child.
Presentation Dishes
For godparents and wider family, ready to engrave.
A lasting keepsake
Bought once, kept for a lifetime
A genuine hallmark
Independently verified, not a marketing claim
A personal touch
Engraved with a name, a date, or both
Our Pick
Three christening gifts we’d point to first.
Silver Tooth Fairy Bell
Twists open to keep a first tooth safe. A small, distinctive gift.
Making It Personal: Engraving
Most of what makes a christening gift feel considered rather than generic is the engraving, not the object itself: a name, a date, sometimes a short line. Hand-engraving is part of our silversmithing service; get in touch with what you have in mind and we can talk through what’s possible on a particular piece.
Common Questions
Shipping & Delivery
UK orders are sent via trusted couriers, including FedEx, with tracked delivery typically arriving within a week of dispatch.
If you’d like help choosing a specific piece, or want to talk through engraving options before you buy, our showroom team in the London Silver Vaults are happy to help, by phone, email, or in person.