Strollerderby

You can never go wrong with one of <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780618680009&itm=1">these</a>.

What ever would feel appropriate and meaningful to you would be welcomed by the parents.  We recieved a beautiful cross for our son with his name and the date of his baptism engraved on the cross from one God parent and a children's sleeping bag from the other God parent.  The cross was from the God parent who attend church and is religious and the sleeping bag from the God parent who is not religious but loves to camp.  Our brother-in-law bought us a nice bottle of aged scotch and a few cigars and we loved all the gifts!

As a writer, you should know that *someone* is going to reply with the Writer's Mantra: Know Thy Audience.

Applying it here, we get: Who is the gift for? The child? The parent(s)? The entire family? The "appropriate" gift will depend upon your answer.

Also, what message do you intend to communicate with the gift? I'm not talking shake-the-Earth deep meaning here.  Rena gave several good examples:

1. A religious giver gave a gift to the child of an engraved cross. Audience: child. Message: giver gives precious metal to represent the preciousness (in the eyes of the giver) of the child, and a crucifix to remind the child that God loves him/her.

2. A non-religious, but nature lover gave the child a sleeping bag. Audience: child. Message: come explore the wonders of nature with me (or perhaps "like I do").

3. The brother-in-law gave good scotch and cigars. Audience: parents. Message: allow yourselves a little indulgence -- enjoy these fineries with my congratulations/blessing.

So, now you must ponder who you wish your audience to be and what message you want to give.

MDD

We gave cute personalized stationery with the child's name on it.  It comes in handy for writing thank you notes for all those bday, holiday, and baptism! gifts.

We got ours from finestationery.com but there are lots of places online that have cute notes for reasonable prices.

How about a picture frame, or a children's bible???  Or you could even give the lil bugger a savings bond.  

My son's got these things for their baptisms and we really appreciated them.

Good luck.

Thanks all! I appreciate your help. Maildeaddrop gave me a lot to think about and some good advice for all.

Nice design, good graphical content. I think I'll come back later again;)

mmm.. nice design, I must say..