UK Christenings?

So Ive been asked to be my partners sisters Godmother in May (she's 10) and was wondering a few things - mainly gift related.

I wanted to give her a £100 bond - as thats what my parents give to my cousins at a US Christenng - that you can buy from the Post Office, but only Grandparents or Parents can purchase these for a child. I would ask my MIL to buy it for me, but know she will fret that Ive spent too much.

I was thinking of getting her a pendant with the Lords Prayer on it, instead of the bond.

My partner is being weird about me giving a gift, so I dont know if this is something thats done or not. Hes not really sure as he was an infant at the time of his Christening and we dont have any friends with children to know whats done or not.

I know my British grandparents bought me some bonds, but dont know if they did that at my Mothers request or not.

Thanks

My husband is a Godfather.  He bought a gift for our nephew.  I guess the big question is how religious is the family?  But if you think the pendant would be appreciated, I say go for it.

My husband says either sounds nice, but bonds aren't done as much here.

Okay thanks. Think will head down the pendant route then..

Also found out today its tradition to have two godmothers and one godfather if its a girl and reverse if its a boy. Anyone else ever hear of it?

I've been to three and there weren't extra fathers/mothers but my husband's family is CoE.  I guess it might depend. 

I've been to three and there weren't extra fathers/mothers but my husband's family is CoE.  I guess it might depend. 

Yeah its CoE (Mikes Granddad is holding the ceremony for everyone as hes a Vicar) Maybes its a Sheffield thing???

My former in-laws (MIL in particular) are massive CoE and I never heard them mention the extra god-parents. They're northerners, too, though not Sheffield.

I think my son got a few small gifts for his Christening... I honestly can't recall as we moved house about 5 days later - it's all a blur!

My cousin's children just had the standard number of godparents when they were christened. But they got presents from EVERYONE. Lucky children. 

Also found out today its tradition to have two godmothers and one godfather if its a girl and reverse if its a boy. Anyone else ever hear of it?

I've been to three and there weren't extra fathers/mothers but my husband's family is CoE.  I guess it might depend. 

My former in-laws (MIL in particular) are massive CoE and I never heard them mention the extra god-parents. They're northerners, too, though not Sheffield.

Having 3 godparents is a CoE tradition - I'm CoE and I have 3 godparents: two godmothers and one godfather. My brothers each have two godfathers and one godmother (it also can't just be a Northern thing because I'm from the South West and we do it here too).

From the Wiki page on Godparents:

Numbers of sponsors

In the early church, one sponsor seems to have been the norm, but in the early Middle Ages, there seems to have been two, one of each sex, and this practice has been largely maintained in Orthodox Christianity.[9] In 888, the Catholic Council of Metz attempted to limit the number to one, but proliferation seems to have continued.[5] In early 14th-century Spain, as many as 20 godparents were being chosen.[10] In England, the Synod of Worcester (1240) stipulated three sponsors (two of the same sex and one of the opposite), and this has remained the norm in the Church of England.[11] The Council of Trent attempted to limit the numbers of godparents to one or two, but practice has differed across the Catholic world.[12]

Having 3 godparents is a CoE tradition - I'm CoE and I have 3 godparents: two godmothers and one godfather. My brothers each have two godfathers and one godmother (it also can't just be a Northern thing because I'm from the South West and we do it here too).

From the Wiki page on Godparents:

Thank you for clearing that up!! Makes a lot of sense now...

Having 3 godparents is a CoE tradition - I'm CoE and I have 3 godparents: two godmothers and one godfather. My brothers each have two godfathers and one godmother (it also can't just be a Northern thing because I'm from the South West and we do it here too).

I wonder if it's a tradition that's dying out? Or had died out and is making a comeback? Or perhaps never died out among some groups or families? Because my CoE family members in Wales and southwest England only ever have one godmother and one godfather.

I work for the CoE and can confirm that standard practice is three godparents - two the same sex as the child and one of the other sex.  However, there is no bar from having more or less as you wish!!

I work for the CoE and can confirm that standard practice is three godparents - two the same sex as the child and one of the other sex.  However, there is no bar from having more or less as you wish!!

This is true, SIL is christening her 18 month old the same day - shes going to have 3 Godmothers and 2 Godfathers!

My cousin's children just had the standard number of godparents when they were christened. But they got presents from EVERYONE. Lucky children. 

This has been the case at all the christenings I've been to here too.  Everybody brought a gift.