How many godchildren do you have? Two … maybe three? Some of us may even be able to boast as many as half a dozen or so. Well spare a thought for The Queen. At the last count, Queen Elizabeth II had amassed a grand total of 30 godchildren.

For us mere mortals, choosing an appropriate Christening gift, remembering a birthday or finding another Christmas present, on top of providing the occasional piece of pithy moral and spiritual advice, can be taxing at the best of times. So how does The Queen manage with thirty little souls to guide?

Well, firstly we can assume that she doesn’t spend too much time pottering around the shops trying to find that special Christening gift. Similarly, an equerry will probably remind her when the next birthday is due and a Lady-in-Waiting or a Woman of the Bedchamber will be on hand to recommend the most popular Christmas presents for the little darlings. I think we are safe in assuming that the godchildren don’t come high on that list of forgotten jobs that keeps the rest of us awake at 3am in the morning.

The Queen has also spread her responsibilities over a few decades. To tell the truth, most of the little darlings aren’t really that “little” at all. The oldest godson is now well into his sixties, whilst the youngest goddaughter is already in her twenties. So, with a bit of judicious planning, The Queen has managed to dilute her godparent’s duties over time.

Part of a godparent’s purpose is binding ever-tighter links between friends and family. Never has this been more true than in the case of the old family firm that is “Royalty.” Look down the list of The Queen’s godchildren and it is easy to see ties and connections being strengthened and alliances forged. One of The Queen’s first godsons was Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, her last goddaughter was Princess Theodora of Greece. There are Barons, Dukes and Viscounts scattered about all over the place. And when you do find someone on the list who sounds just like the rest of us – take George Herbert for example – he turns out to be an earl … the 8th Earl of Carnarvon to be exact. Yes, becoming a godparent really is a case of “keeping it in the family.”

However, as The Queen so correctly observed: “Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.” So, if we look a bit further down the list of godsons, we find Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, Princess of Wales. The Queen was present at his Christening on 14 July 1964 in the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey. It’s worth considering, that the next time they faced each other in Westminster Abbey was at Diana’s funeral when Earl Spencer read his moving and rather controversial eulogy in front of a global TV audience of around 2.5 billion viewers.

As a final note, you should be aware that The Queen is not alone in taking on numerous godchildren. Prince Charles already has thirty-three godchildren, while Prince William started assuming godparental responsibility way back in 1999. His first chosen godson followed family tradition; he was Prince Konstantine Alexios of Greece.



By: Richard Hoare

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A silver napkin ring is still one of the most popular and lasting gifts given to babies at their Christening. This may seem an odd choice since, sadly, fewer and fewer families eat together on a daily basis around the dinner table and the majority of those that do will use a paper serviette in preference to a linen napkin. But the tradition of napkin rings as Christening gifts endures.

Before the 19th Century, napkins were tied with a strip of colored ribbon or named tape. This was a purely practical response to domestic life at the time. Since washday took place only once a week, linen napkins were only washed once a week, so each individual napkin had its own unique tie to identify its owner. The idea of using the same napkin for a whole week may not appeal to us now in more hygienic times, but, as we can see, the simple napkin ring was born of necessity, not for decoration.

The first recorded examples of napkin rings made from silver date from the early 1800’s, but it was during the later Victorian period that the silver napkin ring came into its own. For middle and upper class Victorians, the display of wealth at the dinner table was an essential declaration of status. The more ostentatiously decorated your table, the higher up the social pecking order you could place yourself. A sort of Victorian “Banqueting Bling”. Of course the Victorians would never admit to being so overtly brash, so their blatant bragging had to be passed off as etiquette – a social nicety.

So there, amongst the candelabra, elaborate table centres and ornate cutlery, you will find the humble napkin ring doing its bit for Victorian propriety. The silver napkin ring became yet another “must have” gift for Christenings and weddings in Victorian and Edwardian society.

The arrival of disposable paper napkins and serviettes should have sounded the death knell of the napkin ring at dinner tables everywhere, but this traditional piece of tableware is becoming ever more popular. In a world where everything is disposable and transient, the napkin ring is a personal possession that is treasured for life. The napkin ring presented at a baby’s Christening is highly likely to appear at the dinner table on their 80th birthday.

Napkin rings come in all shapes and sizes, from round and oval to octagonal and square. Plain or ornately decorated, they are often engraved with the owner’s initials and, sometimes, their date of birth. As such, napkin rings are very personal possessions. Every member of the family can identify their own napkin ring. Silver napkin rings have become popular as Christening gifts for this very reason. There are few presents that are so personal to the individual and that can be used and treasured for a whole lifetime.

The napkin ring has little religious significance (you are highly unlikely to have found one at the Last Supper) and it can make no major aesthetic claims for beauty and design, but, if you are looking for a Christening gift that will stand the test of time – look no further.



By: Richard Hoare

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Most moms love to dress their adorable baby with cute fashionable clothes. This is what moms enjoy most, from shopping to seeing their baby wearing those adorable tiny pieces. Baby clothing are always a hit gifts during baby showers. They are not only good to look at, but baby clothes are indeed very important for babies.

There are so many clothing for babies available in the market. So, if you are one of the invitees to a baby shower party, it is more easier for you to shop for a baby gift. You can find different variety of baby clothes, from onesies, t-shirts, pajamas, shorts, to sweaters in different styles and designs as well. Additionally, you can now find personalized personalized clothes, that can make a unique shower gift for the upcoming child. Here are some choices of baby clothes:

Onesies:

Satin Cross Baby Onesie. This adorable sleeveless cotton onesie with satin cross can make a perfect baby shower gift or christening gift for babies. Many moms will love the simplicity of this Satin Cross Baby Onesie. This onesie come in sleeveless and made of pure cotton – perfect for hot summer days.

“Touche” Baby Onesie. This baby gift come in soft and sweet fabric, boasting a chic French poodle in white on the front and a very strategically placed ”Touche” on the rear. This onesie is crafted from tres-soft cotton to soothe the delicate skin of the baby — sure to be a hit at the shower and at home!

“It’s A Party” Baby Onesie. If you want a sweet-looking onesie, then you must try this “It’s A Party” Baby Onesie, a perfect welcoming gift for a sweet new baby. Your baby will be so cute in this darling outfit. This outfit come in mint green color with It’s A Party, Where: My crib, When: Every Night, Time: 2 a.m printed on the front in dark green will bring a smile to the face of the mom-to-be. This adorable onesie is made of 100% cotton and snaps at the crotch for easy diaper changes. Overlapping shoulders make the process of dressing the baby as simple can be.

T-Shirts:

“Mudpie” Organic Cotton Baby Tee. Give something that expectant mom and dad will love, and something environmentally friendly yet can make a fashion statement. This super soft organic cotton t-shirt will be the hit of the baby shower! This comfy brown baby t-shirt is made exclusively of 100% organic cotton. Little boys and girls love to play in the mud and make mudpies, and this cute tee has just that on the front. The back of this fun organic tee has a trowel and the words can you dig it. Environmentally friendly and adorable, this baby top will be baby’s favorite to wear all year long.

“Sweetpeas” Organic Cotton Baby Tee.  Any sweet baby would be so cute in our Organically Grown Organic Cotton Baby Tee! And Mom and Dad will love that it is an environmentally friendly fashion statement. This super soft organic cotton tee is sweet in a soft yellow color with an Organically Grown apple depicted on the front and a trowel with can you dig it on the back. This stylish, “go green,” organically grown t-shirt will be the hit of the baby shower!

Aside from newborn clothing, you can also give other baby gifts such as baby baskets, baby furnitures, personalized baby blankets and beddings, feeding supplies and the likes. Visit online stores for more wider choices.



By: Janet R.

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