Tips for Giving Money as a Gift at a Greek Baptism
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Holy Baptism is the first sacrament performed because through it, the person being baptized is now part of God’s kingdom. When attending a Greek baptism, it is customary to give a gift. Although there are many acceptable gift giving options, money is one of the most common. Here are some suggestions as to what to do.
Start a Savings Account
If you are the parent of the child who is baptized, it is a good idea to start a savings account. Some parents even start the account with a generous gift. The expectation is that this savings account will grow so that when it is time for him to move out on his own, he will have a nice amount of money with which to start his new life.
Are you a Godparent?
Aside from buying the items the priest needs for the ceremony, including the cross, it is also customary for the godparents to give the child a gift. As a godparent, it is expected that you should be fairly generous. However, since you paid for much of the Christening ceremony, giving a gift like this isn’t necessary.
Any Amount is Welcomed
If you are a guest at the Christening, the amount you give will largely depend on your financial situation. Since the money is intended to help build the child’s future, any amount is welcomed. However, if you truly don’t have much to give, it may be better to buy a physical gift or to make something. That way, you can find ways to maximize the money you do have to spend on a gift.
Your Relationship with the Child
The amount you give will also depend on how well you know the child who is being baptized. Immediate family and close friends are usually more generous with how much money they give, as long as it’s within their financial means. If you don’t know the child or the family that well, being generous isn’t necessarily expected.
Giving More Than Just Money
Even though most people give money or a check as a baptism gift, there are other options. For example, you can purchase savings bonds instead of giving money. The nice thing about a savings bond is that it can take a while for it to mature. That means that there won’t be much of a temptation to cash in the bond before it reaches its targeted amount. This is also a great way to maximize the amount of money that you have to spend.
If you are looking for a great gift idea for a Greek Christening gift, money is often the best option. Not only is it the classic choice, it is also a most welcomed choice. Parents use this as an opportunity to begin a savings account for the child so that they could begin saving for his future. Over time, the money in the account will grow. Giving money as a gift helps to make the future more secure. All you need to do is give an amount that is as generous as your financial situation allows.
Categorized in: Greek Christening Traditions
This post was written by Greek Boston
