Personalised New Baby and Christening Gifts to Keep Forever

A new baby brings an avalanche of gifts. Tiny outfits that are outgrown in weeks, soft toys by the dozen, and enough muslins to sail a boat. All very welcome, but most of them do not last.

A personalised keepsake is different. It marks the arrival, the name and the date in a way that can be kept for years, long after the newborn stage is a blur. Here are our favourite ideas for a new baby, a christening, a naming day or a baptism, along with gifts for the new parents, who frankly deserve something too. Everything is made to order in the Laser & Ink workshop in Sowerby Bridge.

A quick but important note

The gifts in this guide are keepsakes and gifts for the grown-ups. They are not toys and are not designed to be handled or chewed by babies. Glass, slate, crystal, ceramic and small items like keyrings and pendants should be kept well out of reach of little hands, and displayed somewhere safe. Think of them as things to treasure for the child, rather than things for the child to play with.

Keepsakes for the nursery shelf

• A photo slate. A photo slate with a stand, printed with a newborn photo and a caption like “Isla Rose · 3rd March 2026 · 7lb 2oz”. It sits on a shelf or mantelpiece, safely out of reach.
• A crystal photo block. The crystal photo block is a classic christening gift. The small size comes in a presentation box, which makes it a lovely gift from a godparent.
• An engraved wooden coaster as a keepsake. A photo engraved wooden coaster with a sleeping baby close-up and their name curved over the top. Tiny noses and closed eyes engrave beautifully when the photo is well lit.

Christening, baptism and naming day gifts

For a christening or naming ceremony, the date and the child’s full name are usually the heart of the design. Some families like to include a short verse or blessing, others prefer to keep it simple.

• From godparents: a crystal block or slate with a photo from the day and “With love from your Godparents”.
• For the family: a set of four photo coasters with pictures from the ceremony, the cake, the family group and the baby in their christening outfit.
• A keepsake notebook: an A5 notebook with the child’s name on the cover, for guests to write messages and wishes on the day. It is the sort of thing that is wonderful to read back when they are older.

Baby’s first Christmas

If the baby arrives in time for Christmas, a first Christmas keepsake is hard to beat.

• A photo bauble. A personalised photo bauble with “Baby’s First Christmas” and the year. Hang it high on the tree, away from curious fingers.
• A first stocking. A personalised Christmas stocking with the baby’s name, to be hung up every year from now on.
• A Santa sack. A personalised Santa sack is a big, cheerful gift that grows with them, year after year.

Christmas orders need to be placed by 15 December to give yourself the best chance of delivery in time. See our full Christmas gift guide for more ideas.

Gifts for the new parents

New parents often get overlooked once the baby arrives. A gift just for them can be really touching.

• A mug for the night feeds. A photo mug with a picture of the baby and “Mum since 2026” or “Dad’s 3am Coffee”. It is dishwasher and microwave safe, which matters when every cup of tea goes cold.
• A photo necklace. A photo pendant with a close-up of the baby, for a new mum to wear.
• A keyring for the car keys. A metal photo keyring, perfect for a new dad’s keys.
• A big tumbler. Feeding a baby is thirsty work. The 40oz tumbler with handle and straw can be used one-handed.
• A tote bag. A roomy personalised tote for all the extra things that leave the house with a baby.

For a first Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, see our guides to Father’s Day gifts and Mother’s Day gifts.

Gifts for big brothers and sisters

When a new baby arrives, older siblings can feel a little left out. A small gift of their own helps. A personalised pencil case in dinosaurs, rainbows, stars or football, or a kids’ hoodie with “Big Sister” or “Best Big Brother” and a photo of them with the baby, makes them feel part of it. Our gifts for kids page has more.

For grandparents

New grandparents are often the proudest people in the room. A photo slate coaster, a mug with “Nana Est. 2026” or a crystal block of their first cuddle will be shown to anyone who visits. See our gifts for grandparents.

Choosing a baby photo

Baby photos are often taken in dim rooms, at odd hours, by tired people. A few tips:

• Take photos near a window in daylight, without flash.
• Get close, so the face fills most of the frame, especially for small items.
• Use the original photo from your camera roll, not one sent through a messaging app.
• For engraving, a simple background, such as a plain blanket, works best.

Our photo tips guide covers this in more detail, including a size guide for each product.

Wording ideas

• Full name, date of birth, time and weight: “Oscar James · 14.06.2026 · 4:12am · 8lb 1oz”.
• “Welcome to the world, little one.”
• “Christened 21st September 2026”.
• “Our greatest adventure”.

Double-check spellings and dates before you order, especially with new names. Every design is checked by a real person, but we will always make exactly what you type.

Ordering

Everything is made to order in 1–3 working days, then delivered by Royal Mail in 2–3 working days. UK delivery is £4.99. Personalised items cannot be returned for a change of mind, but if anything arrives faulty or misprinted, we will replace it.

Browse all our personalised new baby gifts.