What to get friends for agreeing to be godparent types?

August 6, 2007 8:39 AM

Gifts for godparent-types? We've asked about a dozen people to be "mentors" to our rugrat, in an area of their choice. What do we get them to say thanks and that they have a special bond with her?

These people are all friends who are passionate about one thing or another - sports, reading, cooking, etc. They've each agreed to share their passion with our daughter, and take her on at least one outing a year related to their "thing." We want to give them something to honor that commitment, but everything we think of is too cheesy (a certificate, a picture album.) Cost should be less than $50 if possible. The baptism and Mentor Party is in two weeks, so we can't get too customized, either.
Any ideas?

posted by pomegranate to Shopping (9 answers total)

What about one of those little handprint keepsakes? I think they sell do-it-yourself kits for them, but you could probably improvise the process for next to nothing.

Something that else that comes to mind would be an item (small journal, perhaps) in which they can record their thoughts about the commitment they're making and/or the activities they share with her in later years. In ten years or so, they could plan to return them to your daughter and assembled into one big book sort of thing.
posted by jquinby at 9:47 AM on August 6, 2007

My first thought would be a gift related to their "thing." So if I were asking someone to teach the little guy about cooking, maybe I'd get them a really nice kitchen timer. Or buy a nice hammer for the handy guy.
posted by advicepig at 9:49 AM on August 6, 2007

I just want to say that I think this is a completely wonderful idea.

Maybe a scrap book/photo album to keep related things in?

Christmas ornaments (might be hard this time of year, but then that's why God made the internets) are a gift I love to get because then when I decorate the tree I think of the person who gave it to me.
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:02 AM on August 6, 2007

maybe let your daughter pick the thing. if she is young, she might pick something a bit cheesy and ridiculous, but then it won't really matter - because if it is truly from her, truly choosen by her, then the meaning will be in her thoughtfulness
posted by Flood at 10:02 AM on August 6, 2007

Response by poster: Flood, she's 22 weeks old, so really the only choice she's capable of making these days is between the left boob and the right boob. (And she picks Righty almost every time.)

Good idea for an older child, though!
posted by pomegranate at 10:09 AM on August 6, 2007 [1 favorite]

Usually the godparents gifts the baby, not the reverse. Hire a good photographer to come to the party and get a picture of the baby with each mentor. Put the picture in a silver fram engraved w/ baby's birthdate.
posted by theora55 at 10:15 AM on August 6, 2007 [1 favorite]

I don't know what the set-up for the baptism & Mentor Party is, but I would think that an act of service, like cooking them all a nice meal (or taking them out) and giving a toast that shows your appreciation might be a nice "in-kind" gift to honor their service.

And I, too, love this whole idea! What a great way to create a community for your kid!
posted by occhiblu at 10:21 AM on August 6, 2007

I can't help but think about the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty when I read your question.

Maybe you can do a handmade book that you can make nice color copies of that joke of their responsibilities?

i.e. One page is: in the event that your household falls under a magic sleep, you must find Prince Charming (a man's silhouette with a question mark in the middle) and help him battle any thick briar patches/dragons that may be within the vicinity.

I don't really know how crafty you are though.

don't Disneyfy it!
posted by spec80 at 12:01 PM on August 6, 2007

I have to throw in a vote for jquinby's ideas -- both absolutely fabulous ideas (as, by the way, is your idea of having "mentors" for your child in the first place -- how wonderful!)

I would also suggest a very low tech, inexpensive, but highly personalized gift to each of them: writing a sincere note (handwritten on nice paper) in which you thank them personally for their commitment. Be detailed about why you chose to ask them to do what they're doing (ie, talk about how much you appreciate the qualities they will be sharing with your child), and be open about your hopes and dreams for your child. I think if I received something like that it would really be something I'd treasure -- and would help renew my commitment to the child as a mentor every time I read it.
posted by leticia at 1:00 PM on August 6, 2007