Godparent: what role and what gift budget to plan for
The godparent role varies a lot between families, but a few benchmarks help make sense of it, especially around gifts.
The role, beyond the symbol
Historically tied to a religious ceremony, the role has largely become secular: regular presence, a special emotional bond, and sometimes acting as a trusted adult if needed. Nothing is fixed, each family sets its own expectations.
The birth gift
This is traditionally the most memorable gift: a budget of €100 to €300 is common, often focused on one significant registry item rather than spread across small objects.
The following years
- Birthdays and Christmas: a more modest budget, €30 to €80 depending on the family
- Some godparents open a savings account, alongside or instead of material gifts
The right move for the birth gift
Rather than guessing, ask directly for access to the registry: it's often a chance to contribute to a pricier item, like the car seat or the stroller.
A religious role or an emotional one
In a religious context, godparenting comes with specific commitments tied to the baptism. Outside that context, it's a purely emotional role freely chosen by the parents, with no particular legal status in most countries, not to be confused with a legal guardian named in a will.
Building the relationship over time
- A regular touchpoint, even a simple one (a monthly call, an outing every quarter), matters more than one big one-off gesture
- Taking an interest in the child's passions as they grow strengthens the bond well beyond the early years
- Staying present during the family's hard times is often what's remembered most, long after the gifts
On Kickoala, you can easily contribute to a specific item or a group gift shared with other loved ones.
