Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Godchildren | Jaques of London
A godparent occupies a particular place in a child's life. The role is formally acknowledged at baptism in the Church of England, and it carries an expectation of ongoing support throughout the godchild's life, long after the christening photographs have faded.
That lasting bond deserves a gift with a little more thought behind it than the usual seasonal rush allows. The best presents tend to be the ones that get played with for years, rather than put away by January.
Every toy and game we make is tested to UKCA and CE safety standards, so whatever you choose for a godchild can be given with confidence. What follows are ideas suited to any age, from a first Christmas to the teenage years.
What Should You Look for in a Christmas Gift for a Godchild?
Start with longevity. A godparent's gift is often remembered precisely because it outlasts the moment, so the question to ask is whether a child will still reach for it in a year or two.
Consider what the child already owns. If their home is full of plastic and batteries, something quieter and more tactile stands out. Our screen-free gift sets are a good starting point for exactly this reason.
Think about shared time, too. A game that a godparent can actually sit down and play with their godchild carries more weight than a gift handed over and left behind. That shared hour is often the real present.
Safety matters whatever the age. Toys given to younger godchildren should meet UKCA and CE standards, which ours do, and should suit the child's stage rather than the year printed on a box.
Finally, allow room for growth. A classic game that a five-year-old enjoys simply can be played with more cunning at ten. If you are stuck for a child who seems to have everything already, our guide to gifts for kids who have everything may help, as will our wider Christmas gift guide. A well-chosen traditional gift tends to age better than a trend.
The Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Godchildren by Age Group
For a godchild's first Christmas, keep things simple and safe. Something that can be grasped, mouthed and dropped without worry suits a baby far better than anything elaborate, and our notes on a baby's first Christmas set out sensible options.
From roughly three to seven, movement and imagination take over. A kids' skipping rope at £7.69 makes a modest, active gift that encourages time outdoors, and it sits alongside the rest of our outdoor games.
For primary-age godchildren, games that the whole family can join suit the Christmas table. The Giant XL Tumble Tower rewards a steady hand and keeps a room entertained long after lunch, and it stands out among our wooden toys.
Jigsaw puzzles suit this age especially well. They were invented around 1760 by the London mapmaker John Spilsbury, who mounted maps on wood and cut them into pieces as a teaching tool, and the quiet focus they ask for has not changed since.
For older godchildren and teenagers, chess is hard to better. It has been played for roughly 1,500 years, with its origins traced to 6th-century India, and it rewards a lifetime of returning to the board. A good set browsed within our board games becomes a gift a teenager may still own in adulthood.
Are Wooden Toys and Traditional Games Worth Buying for Godchildren?
Wooden toys and traditional games earn their place for a straightforward reason: they last. A well-made wooden piece survives the handling that defeats cheaper materials, which matters when a gift is meant to see a child through several years.
They also age with the child. A game of draughts or chess asks very little of a young beginner and a great deal of a confident older player, so the same object grows in interest rather than being outgrown.
There is a design heritage behind many of them, too. The Staunton chess set, the pattern now used the world over, was first registered in 1849 with Jaques of London as the manufacturer and Nathaniel Cook holding the design. Table tennis followed, trademarked by the company as ping-pong in 1901.
That longevity makes traditional games particularly fitting for a godparent. A gift that still works in a decade quietly reflects a relationship meant to last just as long.
Wooden games also tend to invite company. Few are designed for solitary play, which draws a godchild and godparent together over a board rather than leaving the child alone with a screen.
If you want to see the range of what endures, our traditional games gather the classics in one place. For something made specifically for a named child, our guide to personalised wooden toys is worth a look. Worth buying? For a godchild, few things make more sense.
Our Favourite Godchild Christmas Gifts from Jaques of London
A few choices stand out when the recipient is a godchild rather than an ordinary gift. They share one quality: they reward being kept.
The Giant XL Tumble Tower at £91.99 is the gift that turns a quiet Christmas afternoon into something the whole family remembers. It suits a wide age range, so a godchild can grow into the bolder tactics it eventually invites.
For a smaller, everyday present, the kids' skipping rope encourages the kind of active, outdoor play that costs nothing to continue once the novelty of Christmas has passed.
Between those two sit the classics. A chess or draughts set from our board games gives an older godchild something to return to for years, while younger children are well served by the simpler pieces in our wooden toys.
If you would rather browse by occasion than by age, our full Christmas gift guide brings the seasonal favourites together.
The thread running through all of them is the same. A godparent's gift works hardest when it creates reasons to spend time together, and a game does that more reliably than almost anything else. Choose the one that fits the child in front of you, and it will likely still be in use when they are much older.
How Do You Care for Wooden Toys and Games So They Last for Years?
Wooden toys are forgiving, but a little care keeps them handsome for decades. The first rule is to keep them dry. Wood dislikes prolonged damp, so wipe spills promptly rather than letting moisture soak in.
Clean with a barely damp cloth and a mild soap, then dry at once. Avoid soaking any wooden piece or putting it through a dishwasher, both of which will warp and split the grain over time.
Store games away from radiators and sunny windowsills. Sustained heat and strong sun dry wood out and fade finishes, so a cupboard or shelf out of direct light suits them best.
An occasional feed helps older pieces. A light rub of food-safe oil or beeswax, worked in and buffed off, restores the colour and protects the surface. Once a year is plenty for most games.
Keep the sets complete. A chess set missing a knight or a tumble tower short a block loses much of its appeal, so a small bag or box for stray pieces is worth the effort, particularly with younger children.
Check moving parts and edges from time to time, and sand any rough spot gently with fine paper. Well-kept wooden games from our traditional games often pass from one child to the next, which is rather the point of giving one.
That durability is what makes a wooden gift so suited to a godparent. Looked after properly, a game given this Christmas may well be handed to the godchild's own children in time, carrying the relationship forward with it.
£7.69 · value · tested to UKCA/CE
£91.99 · gift · tested to UKCA/CE
Shop the range: Best Christmas Gift Ideas for Godchildren
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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Gift Ideas For Godchildren
What is the best Christmas gift for a godchild?
The best Christmas gift for a godchild combines quality, longevity, and meaning. As a godparent, your role — formally acknowledged at baptism in the Church of England — carries an expectation of ongoing personal support, and a gift should reflect that bond. Consider a handcrafted chess set, a classic board game, or a beautifully made wooden toy from a heritage brand such as Jaques of London. Gifts that encourage play, skill-building, or creativity tend to be remembered far longer than disposable novelties.
What do you buy a godchild for Christmas when you don't know them well?
When you don't know your godchild well, choose a timeless, age-appropriate gift that requires no knowledge of specific interests. Classic games such as chess — played for approximately 1,500 years since its origins in 6th-century India — or a quality jigsaw puzzle suit a wide range of children. Jaques of London's heritage range offers well-crafted options that transcend trends. A personalised keepsake or a book token alongside a classic game also makes a thoughtful, universally appreciated choice.
What age are wooden toys suitable for?
Wooden toys are suitable from infancy through to adulthood, depending on the design. Simple wooden rattles, stackers, and shape-sorters suit babies and toddlers from around six months. Wooden puzzles and building sets are ideal for children aged two to six. Older children enjoy wooden board games, chess sets, and craft kits. Adults collect and use fine wooden games too. Always check manufacturer age recommendations for safety, particularly regarding small parts for children under three.
Are traditional toys better than plastic toys for young children?
Traditional toys — particularly those made from wood — are generally more durable, repairable, and longer-lasting than plastic alternatives. They tend to encourage open-ended, imaginative play rather than passive interaction. Jigsaw puzzles, first invented around 1760 by London mapmaker John Spilsbury as educational tools, are a clear example of a traditional format that remains educationally valuable centuries later. High-quality traditional toys from established makers also tend to be free from the cheap components that cause plastic toys to break quickly.
How much should a godparent spend on a Christmas gift?
There is no fixed rule, but most godparents in the UK spend between £20 and £50 on a godchild's Christmas gift. The thoughtfulness of the choice matters more than the price. A well-chosen, quality game or toy from a reputable maker such as Jaques of London at £30–£40 will outlast a cheaper novelty many times over. If budget is limited, a beautifully wrapped classic puzzle or small wooden game with a handwritten card communicates care and intention very effectively.
What should I look for in a Christmas gift that will last?
Look for gifts made from durable natural materials such as solid wood, with clean craftsmanship and no fragile plastic components. Established heritage brands with long manufacturing histories are a reliable indicator of quality. The Staunton chess set, first manufactured by Jaques of London — with the design registered in 1849 by Nathaniel Cook — remains the global standard for chess pieces nearly 180 years later. Timeless games, quality puzzles, and classic toys that do not depend on batteries or trends tend to hold their value and appeal across years.
What are good Christmas gifts for a godchild who has everything?
For a godchild who appears to have everything, focus on quality over quantity and experience over novelty. A beautifully crafted Staunton chess set — first produced by Jaques of London following the 1849 design registration — is the kind of heirloom gift that stands apart from ordinary presents. Table tennis equipment, for which Jaques trademarked the name ping-pong in 1901, offers active family fun. You might also consider a personalised item, a skill-based game, or a contribution towards a shared experience such as a class or outing.
Are board games a good gift for godchildren at Christmas?
Board games are an excellent Christmas gift for godchildren of almost any age. They encourage strategic thinking, patience, and social interaction, and quality games are played repeatedly over many years. Chess, with origins in 6th-century India and approximately 1,500 years of continuous play, is a particularly enduring choice for older children. Classic family games from heritage manufacturers such as Jaques of London are well-constructed, built to last, and carry a sense of occasion that mass-produced alternatives rarely match.
What is a thoughtful gift for a godchild rather than just a toy?
A thoughtful gift for a godchild might be a keepsake item engraved with their name and baptism date, a quality game they can grow into, or a classic set such as a Staunton chess set — first manufactured by Jaques of London following the 1849 design registration by Nathaniel Cook. Books, personalised stationery, or a contribution to a savings account also demonstrate genuine care. The most thoughtful gifts reflect the unique godparent relationship: enduring, personal, and chosen with the child's long-term development in mind.
How do I choose a Christmas gift that works for different ages of godchildren?
Choose gifts with a broad age range by focusing on classic formats that scale with ability. Jigsaw puzzles — invented around 1760 by London mapmaker John Spilsbury — come in varying complexity to suit toddlers through adults. Chess suits children from around seven upwards and remains engaging throughout life. Table tennis, for which Jaques of London trademarked the name ping-pong in 1901, suits families with children of mixed ages. When in doubt, opt for quality and timelessness over trend-led toys targeted at a narrow age window.