As some of you may have noticed, I am hosting my own pen forum "Stylophiles of Finland." I just got an enquiry from a guest visitor who asked me about giving a pen for his godson as a baptism gift. I started answering to the post in my normal manner, asked about the recipient's hand, personal preferences etc, price bracket etc until I realized that the gift was going to a baby!!! How on earth can anyone know what kind of things/pens the baby will enjoy when he/she has grown to the age when one is able to use and appreciate such an instrument?

I didn't want to let the person down so I completed my standard answer: Parker Sonnet in any flavour and colour you like, it is of classical style and dimensions, and will most likely never go out of fashion as such. Yes, Sonnet has its issues in QC and elsewhere, it is a controversial pen. But when it works, it works flawlessly. And it has a wide range of colour and finish options, too. It will take several years, maybe a decade before the aforementioned baby will start using the gift. At least they should make sure that the pen writes well before making the purchase.

What do you guys think about a pen as a baptism gift... I am not sure what to think about giving a precious writing instrument (of any kind) to a recipient whose hand will continue to develop and grow for many years and preferences will most likely change in the meantime. The original poster also wants to have the gift pen engraved...

I think it would be a good idea, if it can remain safe until they are of the age to appreciate it. If it were me it would be somthing in silver.

Please don't consider this self promotion because I'm a penmaker, but I wanted to put this out...

You could have a penmaker create something incredibly customized, and then have it laser engraved.

You'd be surprised at how complex laser engraving can get. You could take a picture of the baby, and have that scanned into the engraver, and have a very accurate picture engraved, along with the date, etc...whatever.

Personally, I haven't done a lot of complex engraving....just initials and text...follow the link below to a fellow penmaker's work....take a look at the possibilities with engraving...

http://www.shawpens.com/

Here's another example....again, not my work, just an example of how complex and customized engraving can get....

http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage....5&selected=

With a baptismal gift, as with any gift, it is the thought that counts. If the gift is useful, so much the better. A nice fountain pen is something that will eventually get the child's curiosity stirred. Whether the child will grow to enjoy and use FP's is another question altogether. But the gift will most probably be kept and cherished.

As to what pen specifically, that is up to the giver of the gift and the giver's budget.

A fine idea, if kept out of the hands of the recipient until old enough (say 16, after 6-8 years of working in with a Pelikano or similar training pen). As to what kind of pen-- oh, dear, so much to choose from. A well-turned hand-made pen has some attraction, but anything from the reputable major makers will likely serve well, too.

I'd recommend something customized one-of-a-kind, beautiful and not necessarily practical...AND one of those Pelikano Jr.

After my mom died, I sold all but 2 of my baptismal gifts on e-bay. After <number of years garbled> no one remembered who'd given them and I was thrilled to get the cash from the bracelet I was never allowed to wear.

If it were my choice, I'd start a college fund. Throw in a hundred bucks and let time and compound interest do its thing.

Nokia shares are currently going for EUR21.76. If it were me, I'd buy the kid four or five shares of Nokia. With any kind of luck he will get more value that way and can buy his own pen/techtoy when he reaches majority.

Whoever this guy is, he sounds a bit of a nut to me. A baby can't write. The baptism baby in question will have no use for a fountain pen until the age of five, at least. And then, you have to teach the kid how to use a fountain pen.

My thoughts on the matter are that this person should NOT give the baby a fountain pen. I'm sure it's a wonderful gesture and a wonderful gift...but a baby is just too young.

Try again when the kid's ten years old, or fifteen. Or give it to him on his 18/21st birthday.

Thanks for your thoughts...
Yes, I myself wouldn't buy a pen for a baby, but the gesture and idea in itself is nice... I would buy some Nokia shares if I was the person giving the gift. All education including university tuition is free of charge here (paid by the taxpayers of our welfare state) so there are no college funds. However, there are other types of funds and investing schemes available and many parents and relatives do make use of them. Even older kids and teens normally prefer "real value gifts" meaning money