How to Be the Best Godparent Ever

Tips and ideas to be an awesome godparent, plus gift ideas for your godchild!

It’s an honor to be asked to be a godparent. But when the baptism ceremony is over, what is a godparent supposed to do?

When you accept the responsibility to be a godparent, that means that you take on an active role in raising your godson or goddaughter in the faith. That can mean a lot of things! Here are some ideas to help you be the best godparent ever–to walk with your godchild on the way to Heaven.

How (and When) to Celebrate with your Godchild

Of course you want to keep up a relationship with your godchild. You should remember one another throughout the year, and especially on birthdays. But here are some other times for celebration. As a bonus, most kids don’t get gifts at all of these times. If you give, say, a name day card or gift when no one else does, your godchild will remember the special occasion.

Christmas, Easter, Pentecost: the big Church holidays.
Your godchild’s name day: the feast day of his or her patron Saint.
The anniversary of his or her baptism.
On the occasion of any other sacraments.

The Best Gifts for a Godchild

Here is some quick inspiration for the best gifts for your goddaughter or godson. The best godparents keep tabs on their godchild’s spiritual growth, so customize these ideas to his or her faith journey as he or she grows. Bonus: get these gifts blessed before you give them!

Great Godparent Gifts for Babies and Toddlers

Rosary Teether. A classic! You can also easily find an assortment of other religious toys, too.
Board books about the faith. Try Bible stories or basic theology, like “Jesus Loves You!”
OSV kids subscription. This is especially good for having conversations with a precocious toddler about our beliefs.
Religious coloring books. Don’t forget crayons and stickers!
Religious artwork. Because it’s never to early to get art for the Rosary mysteries or a favorite Saint. Teach your godchild to recognize Jesus in art!
A Sacrament tracker. A book or charm bracelet that can be updated with each sacrament will keep your godchild on track on his or her journey of faith.
Prayer cards. Kids love learning the Saints, and these are cheap so it’s not a big deal if a kid wrecks or loses them.

Awesome Godparent Gifts for School-Aged Children

Magnifikid or children’s missal. Something a little more advanced for young readers.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd/Montessori Toys.
A youth Bible or Catechism.
Lives of the Saints book. With greatest hits, Saints for girls/boys, or Saint-every-day. My kids love meeting new Saints!
A sturdy but beautiful Rosary. Our friend makes these and they are sturdy enough for kids but are real, beautiful rosaries!
Patron Saint medals.
First Communion gifts. Part of being a godparent is celebrating the big sacraments!

The Best Godparent Gifts for Tweens and Teens

At this age, experiences and conversation time are vital as many children approach the sacrament of Confirmation; especially, I think, for young men. Share your faith and ask your godchild questions about his or hers, and of course be prepared to answer any questions he or she may have.

A Great Adventure Bible. Or another translation, so he can dig deeper into salvation history.
A beautiful crucifix. Now they are old enough not to break it! Go for classic styles rather than simple, sacrament-specific ones so they can cherish it forever.
Spiritual reading. From your favorite writers and Saints like Peter Kreeft or Fulton Sheen.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church. What does the Church actually teach? For younger kids, start with a youth catechism.
A prayer journal.
Subscription to Magnificat or similar.

Non-material Godchild Gifts

Every child should have a Rosary, a crucifix, a Bible, and a book or two. But life in the faith is about more than giving your godchild the best gifts. The best godparents don’t limit themselves to physical items but also teach their godchildren by word and example.

Have Mass said annually for your godchild on the anniversary of his baptism.
Go to Mass together.
Get two copies of a spiritual book. Read them together and discuss.
Make a pilgrimage to a new church together (near or far). Try to identify all the Saints and events in the art and windows.
Teach him a hymn.
Go out for ice cream to celebrate her First Reconciliation!
Go to Adoration together.
Teach her a new devotion like Sorrowful Mother devotions, Perpetual Help devotions, First Fridays, or Divine Mercy devotions.
Attend a Lenten talk series or retreat together.
Go to a sports game or on a hike and bond while you discuss religious themes in a low-pressure environment.
Study the Faith on your own so you are prepared to answer your godchild’s questions.
Visit a cemetery and pray for the Holy Souls together.
Get an unusual indulgence together.
Try to be present in your godchild’s life so you can understand him and what is important to him.
It’s also a good idea to help out the godchild’s family as you are able.

How to Be an Awesome Godparent

I hope this post gave you some ideas so you can celebrate the spiritual life with your young charge! The most important thing is to keep in mind your goal: get that child to heaven. What does he or she need most right now to get there?