Between a godmother and her goddaughter, there is a bond unlike any other: she is not your mother or just another aunt, yet she was there on the very first day. Choosing a gift for her—or for your goddaughter, if you are the godmother—is a way of showing that this bond is still alive.
We have gathered our ideas in gifts for godmothers and goddaughters. Here we tell you how to choose.
The bond and the tradition
The Church describes the role of baptismal godparents in just a few words: together with the parents, they present the child and ensure that they later lead a Christian life. It is a commitment to accompany, not a title.
This is where a very widespread custom comes from: that the godmother should give the first medal. It is not a rule; in many families, the grandparents give it or it is passed down from a relative. But when the godmother gives it, the medal becomes a reminder of that commitment. We explain it in the baptismal medal: a tradition that lasts a lifetime.
For your godmother, depending on the occasion
- Baptismal godmother. Many families take the opportunity at the baptism to also give a medal to the godmother. With a pearl, it is a keepsake from that day that can be worn every day: the Virgin of Carmen with natural pearls or Our Lady of Miracles with natural pearls (€69). More ideas in baptism gifts.
- First Communion godmother. In many families, the same godmother who was there for the baptism accompanies her on that day. A meaningful gift is to give her the same Virgin that the girl is wearing, so that the two of them share the same devotion. See First Communion gifts.
- Confirmation godmother. The Church considers it appropriate for the same person who was the godparent at baptism to also be the godparent at confirmation. For her, think about her patron saint or the Virgin of her homeland. You have options in confirmation gifts.
- Wedding godmother. At many weddings in Spain, the godmother is the groom's mother, who accompanies him into the church. It is a custom, not a requirement: what the Church requires are two witnesses. Saint Anthony, the patron saint of couples according to tradition, is a meaningful gift for her: his medal with natural pearls (€69) or the pack with the Inés Necklace (€121). More in wedding gifts.
If you like Our Lady of Miracles, here are all our Our Lady of Miracles medals, handcrafted in Spain.
For your goddaughter, depending on her age
- Baby. Her first medal. Important: babies and young children should not wear chains or pendants, nor have them within their reach. The medal is kept as a keepsake until she is old enough to wear it, so a classic design that she will still like when she is older is advisable. We can help you with which medal to give at a baptism.
- First Communion girl. This is the time when many girls start wearing one. The Our Lady of Miracles pendant with enamel (€40) and the cross medal with enamel (€49) are simple pieces for that age. If you have kept her baptismal medal, this is a good day to give it to her. More in which medal to give at a First Communion.
- Teenager. Her taste comes first here. Medals with colored stones and enamel are worn like just another piece of jewelry, and an enameled Saint Benedict bracelet (€25) is a thoughtful gift for her confirmation. If she prefers a medal, here are all our Saint Benedict medals. Read what to give at a confirmation.
- Adult. For her wedding, for the birth of her first child, or for a milestone birthday. A medal with a pearl, or a pack with a necklace if you want a complete gift. And if she already has one, she can combine them: see how to wear several medals together.
Which Virgin or saint to choose
- Her name. If her name is Carmen, Pilar, Rocío, Covadonga, Amparo, Inmaculada, or Fátima, the choice is made. Find hers in medals by name and mark her saint's day with the name day calendar.
- Her homeland. The Virgin of Pilar, patroness of Zaragoza and Aragon; the Santina, patroness of Asturias; the Geperudeta, patroness of Valencia and the Valencian Community; the Virgin of El Rocío, patroness of Almonte; the Virgin of Carmen, patroness of seafarers. They are in gifts from your homeland.
- The family's. Sometimes the answer is the devotion her grandmother wore. Giving the same one unites three generations.
- Yours. If you are the godmother, giving her the Virgin you have devotion to is a way of entrusting your goddaughter: you are giving her something of yours.
How much to spend: real prices
- Less than €30. Our Lady of Miracles bracelet (€19), mini enameled Saint Benedict bracelet (€25) or Mother-of-pearl Cross bracelet (€29).
- Between €40 and €49. Our Lady of Miracles pendant with enamel (€40), Sacred Heart of Jesus pendant (€45) or cross medal with enamel (€49).
- Between €65 and €69. Most of our medals with pearls or natural stones, with their adjustable 40 + 5 cm chain included. From €65, shipping is free to the mainland and Balearic Islands.
- From €89. The gift packs: medal and bracelet (€89 to €100) or medal and necklace (€116 to €145), at a better price than buying the pieces separately.
What to write in the card
A medal says a lot, but two lines written by hand complete it. Some ideas to get started:
- «Godmother: you were there on the first day and you are still here. Thank you.»
- «So that you can wear it close, just as I carry you.»
- «I am giving it to you today so you can keep it. One day I will tell you why I chose this one.»
- «It is the Virgin of our homeland: may it remind you of where you come from and who loves you.»
Before giving it
Our medals are original designs and are handmade in Spain with pearls, natural stones, and enamel. They come wrapped as a gift at no extra cost and we ship them in 24–72 hours. A medal is not an amulet: it is a way of keeping the Virgin close and remembering the person who gave it to you.
If you are looking for ideas for other people, read meaningful gifts: 12 ideas for the people you love most. And to choose with peace of mind, return to gifts for godmothers and goddaughters.
Facts you can check
- The Code of Canon Law (canon 872) says that the role of the godparent is, «together with the parents, to present the child who is to receive baptism and ensure that they later lead a Christian life consistent with baptism». Source
- Regarding confirmation, canon 893 § 2 says: «It is appropriate that the person who assumed this mission at baptism be chosen as the godparent». Source
- For the wedding, canon 1108 requires that the marriage be contracted before the person who assists in the name of the Church «and before two witnesses». Source
- According to the wedding guide by Protocolo.org, the godparent is usually the bride's father and the godmother, the groom's mother, although there are other options. Source
Marian and Bárbara