Baptism Week {Saying Thanks}
Welcome to Baptism Week at Team Whitaker!
This is the fifth post of a five-part series:
Preparing for the Sacrament (What the Sacrament Means)
Choosing Godparents (Finding People to Support Your Child)
+ BOWL SET Giveaway from Clarey Clayworks
Looking Your Best (Dressing the Part for Your Child’s Big Day)
+ $100 PHOTO CREDIT from Renee Blood Photography,
ST. GERARD EARRINGS from Loreto Rosaries and
BAPTISM BONNET AND THREE-PIECE SET + 20% OFF from Blessings Christian Gift Shop in West
Feeding the Party (Making the Celebration Awesome)
+ HOLY WATER FONT by Portraits of Saints
Saying Thanks (Showing Your Appreciation)
+ WOODEN DOLL by St. Luke’s Brush and NOTECARDS by FlorLarios
What kind of southern girl would I be if I didn’t share gift ideas or how to say thanks to the people you love? A pretty lousy one, that’s who.
Maybe it was my mom’s insistence on writing thank you notes, my background in 4-H or just being a true Southern gal, but gratitude is one of life’s best lessons. It teaches, and reminds you, that we are not in this alone. We have community and they should be made to feel important. Because they are.
Gift Ideas
Earlier in the week, I shared a great gift idea for Godparents. It’s often so difficult to purchase a gift for a child, particularly one who is baptized as an infant. There are a multitude of ways to celebrate the baptized child. In lieu of linking up my usual seven quick takes with Jen, I’m sharing my seven best gift ideas instead!
- If you live close, consider the gift of time. That one never goes out of style. Perhaps you can babysit on a regular basis or bring a home-cooked meal.
- Write a letter to the child and encourage others to do the same. My brother had every guest choose an envelope, with a year/age attached to it (18 in all), and we all wrote a letter to my niece based on the year on the envelope.
- Give a religious gift like a rosary, personalized prayer card or holy water font. But, before handing over the gift, pray over it and be sure to have it blessed. One of our Godfathers insists on praying an entire rosary for the person before gifting it. I, for one, am always touched when I hear that.
- Make something. Maybe you’re all crafty and want to knit a pair of socks or scarf, paint a picture or take some lovely photographs. Whatever your gift may be, don’t be afraid to share it!
- Donate to a charity in the child’s name.
- Request a Papal blessing. These can be done through your diocesan office. There’s usually a fee associated ($45-$100) and a few week’s wait. Vatican calligrapher’s aren’t the speediest, but they do craft beautiful works of art.
- Offer up your prayers for the child and his/her family. Surely there is an adoration chapel near you, where God is just waiting to feel your presence.
Saying Thanks
Several years ago, when my father-in-law passed away, one of the greatest gifts my mother-in-law received was a roll of stamps and a stack of thank you cards. The gift giver had recently been through a loss and knew those would be most needed. I still count that as one of the greatest gifts ever given and I think it is as applicable at the end of life as it is at its beginning.
I’ve also found that when you space out writing thank you’s – giving yourself a goal of writing 3-5 a day – that they’re much more heartfelt and considerably less daunting. It also helps to have a great pen, some lovely stationery and a cold Dr Pepper standing by. The three things every note should include? Your thanks, how you plan to use the gift and why you love it and one last thanks. With baptisms, you might even consider adding a photo from the big day. For many family members, I know they cherish photos as much as we do. If you’re looking for a great site that has awesome prices, check out MPix.com. I’ve found them to be reliable, affordable and of high quality.
TODAY’S GIVEAWAYS
Now, for the giveaway fun. My sweet friend Lisa shared this shop with me several months ago and I nearly jumped for joy. The crazy thing is when I reached out to St. Luke’s Brush, Amy responded, “I’m a fan of your blog!” Well, color me happy and call me a Texan! These dolls are amazing, handcrafted and painted with precision. I know you’ll love them. Up for giveaway is a St. Luke doll. Not to forget those notes, though, I have a beautiful set of notecards from FlorLarios. Flor is based in Miami and her pieces of art reflect that vibrant south Florida feel. I think they’re pretty fantastic.
If you haven’t entered the other three giveaways, get on that! Links at top.
St. Luke’s Brush: Facebook and Etsy
FlorLarios: Facebook and Etsy
Get to entering, y’all!
On a personal note, this week has been an absolute blast. It’s got me thinking about our upcoming baptism, reflecting on our previous five and offering prayers of thanksgiving for such a beautiful Sacrament in the church. I hope you’ve gleaned some great ideas, but more importantly, realized the awesome responsibility we have as parents and Godparents to raise and form our children. Now, I’m off to pin some more ideas, prop up my swollen feet and drink a caffeine-free Dr Pepper!
I think my best gift was my engagement ring! I also really treasure art/heirloom gifts we were given by loved ones.
What great gift ideas! I also think they’d work for a first communion, too. The papal blessing idea is fantastic!
I love the idea of the rosary.
My favorite gifts are religious items or books. Chocolate works, too!
Thank you Kathryn for these awesome ideas! I love to give religious items, and the thought of praying a rosary for someone before giving it to them is certainly a keeper!
Two of my most cherished gifts were given to me at one of my wedding showers. One of my aunts gave me two teacups from my grandmother’s china set, and one of my husband’s aunts gave me two small statues of Mary & Joseph that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. I really appreciated the thought behind those two gifts in particular and love having “heirlooms” from our grandparents.. esp. since I didn’t really ever know these grandparents.
Thanks for sharing this series! I’ve enjoyed it.
Best gift ever? My husband and children!
I just love those painted dolls! When I had my 5th child a sweet friend gave me a prayer journal and pen with an inspirational quote on it. She also wrote me a beautiful note of encouragement on it. I have really treasured this gift!
I loved the year my sister gave me a gift certificate to help finish up the photo books I had started but hadn’t ordered!
This might read crazy, but the gift of an apology from someone whose unbelievably unkind words have hurt me and my family deeply is the gift I would really like to receive right now.
Lisa, I think that’s a gift we could all receive, and perhaps give. God bless you!
I think the best gift I received was when my hubby for christmas surprised me with an “album of the year”. He went through all our photos over the last year and made a photo book! It was supposed to become a tradition but I’m two years behind. 🙂
My favorite gift was a jewelry box from my grandmother. She gave it to me for Christmas when I was 10 and I thought (and still do!) it was just the most beautiful gift. I can’t wait to give it to my daughter!
The births of my sons have definitely been my best gifts.
best gift was being born catholic!
Amen
I would say my best gift ever is from God placing my husband in my life!
The best gift I’ve ever received are 2 marbles that my grandmother found on the street. . . long story! And I wish there weren’t so many FB entries for the giveaways. I deactivate my FB acct for Lent 😉
A week-long vacation with my family that I don’t have to plan would be awesome 🙂
For my son Luke’s baptism he received a beautiful st. Luke statute from his God parents, it was perfect!
[…] West Feeding the Party (Making the Celebration Awesome) + HOLY WATER FONT by Portraits of Saints Saying Thanks (Showing Your Appreciation) + WOODEN DOLL by St. Luke’s Brush and NOTECARDS by […]
[…] West Feeding the Party (Making the Celebration Awesome) + HOLY WATER FONT by Portraits of Saints Saying Thanks (Showing Your Appreciation) + WOODEN DOLL by St. Luke’s Brush and NOTECARDS by […]
Ah, the gift of time! With three little children and the closest family 2+ hours away, I would be so grateful for that gift. Thank you again for arranging such wonderful giveaways.