How to ask someone to be a godparent: 10 original ideas ranked by time, budget and effect (and what to say)
Asking someone to be a godparent does not need to cost much: a letter "written by the baby", a scratch card or a scan photo with a speech bubble lands as well as a gift box, as long as you ask one to one and early enough, ideally two to three months before the christening. This article ranks ten godparent proposal ideas by time, budget and effect, from the simplest to the most elaborate, then covers what to say, when to say it, and how to leave the person free to say no.
Full disclosure up front: Looma Stories sells personalized books, and one of the ten ideas is ours. The other nine cost between nothing and about fifty euros, and for many families they will be the better choice. This is the guide we wish we had read when choosing.
Before the idea: what you are really asking
For a Church of England christening, the church's guide to choosing godparents asks for at least three: two of the same sex as your child and at least one of the opposite sex. They must be baptised, ideally confirmed, and parents can be godparents to their own child as long as there is at least one other. For a Catholic baptism, the Code of Canon Law (canons 872 to 874) allows one godparent or one of each sex, aged at least 16 (unless the bishop sets another age), a confirmed Catholic who has received communion, and not the child's parent. A baptised non-Catholic can stand alongside as a Christian witness.
If you are not having a christening, a humanist naming ceremony lets you appoint "guideparents" or "supporting adults" instead. As Humanists UK points out, naming ceremonies, like christenings, have no legal basis. Neither role makes anyone your child's legal guardian: that is a separate step, usually done in your will.
Either way, you are asking for a lasting presence: birthdays, weekends, a listening ear when your child is 14. That is what the clever idea should announce, not just a seat in the front pew.
Ten ideas, from the simplest to the most elaborate
1. A letter from the baby
One page written in the baby's voice: "I can't talk yet, but Mummy and Daddy say you are the person who will make me laugh the most. Will you be my godmother?" Thirty minutes, free, an envelope with their name on it. It is the simplest proposal and often the most moving one, because every line is about the person.
2. A scan or baby photo with a speech bubble
Print the scan or a newborn photo and add a comic-style speech bubble: "Will you be my godfather?" Fifteen minutes, under 5 euros for the print. Handy during pregnancy, when there is no face to show yet, and easy to post to someone who lives far away.
3. The older sibling's drawing
If the baby has a big brother or sister, let them ask: a drawing of the family with an empty space next to the baby, and the question written by you or by them. Twenty minutes, free, from age 3 or 4. The older child feels part of the new arrival, and the person you chose gets a request nobody can turn down without smiling.
4. A video behind a QR code
Film one minute: the two of you, the scan or the baby, the question at the end. Upload it as a private link, turn the link into a QR code with a free generator and stick it on a card. One hour, free. Ideal for a godparent abroad. Check the link opens without an account and never delete it: people rewatch these videos years later.
5. The scratch card
A card with three panels to scratch, only one hiding "Will you be my godmother?". At home, scratch-off stickers from a stationery shop are enough: half an hour, 2 to 5 euros. Ordered online, budget 5 to 15 euros and a few days. The little bit of suspense does the work, especially if you film the moment.
6. The printed baby vest or bib
"I picked my godfather, it's you" on a newborn vest or bib, handed over in a parcel. Budget 15 to 25 euros and about a week from a print-on-demand site or a maker. It then gets worn for the christening photos. Pick the 3 or 6 month size so it still fits on the day.
7. The puzzle
A photo puzzle of 30 to 100 pieces whose finished picture reveals the question. Budget 15 to 30 euros and a week to make. Great around a table, a bit long if the person does not enjoy puzzles: stay under 100 pieces.
8. The wine or champagne label
A bottle they like, with a custom label: "Godfather Reserve, vintage 2026, to be opened at the christening". An hour of layout in Canva or a free template, a few euros of sticker paper, plus the bottle. Perfect for a friend who enjoys a glass, less so for someone who does not drink. Bonus: the bottle sets a date, you open it together after the service.
9. The small box with a hidden message
A box that opens in layers: a photo of the baby, a small gift (a bracelet, an engraved keyring, their favourite chocolates), and at the very bottom the card with the question. One evening of preparation, 20 to 50 euros. The "gift box" version, more of a show, and best handed over in person.
10. A storybook where the child is the hero, ending with the question
A 36-page illustrated book where the baby, or the older sibling, is the hero, and the future godparent appears as a character, created from a photo. In the free-text story idea field (up to 800 characters) you write the plot and the ending: for example, the big brother sets off to find "the bravest person in the kingdom" to watch over his little sister, and the last page asks the question. Once the ebook is paid for (3.99 €), you read the whole book, correct every sentence, rewrite the last one word for word if needed and have any picture redrawn before the final version. The ebook is ready in about two hours and reads well together on a phone. The hardcover is an optional 24.99 € on top, delivery priced at checkout, printed and delivered in 10 to 14 working days in Europe: allow a month before you ask. If the baby is not born yet, make the older sibling the hero and mention the baby in the story idea.
The ten ideas side by side
| Idea | Time | Budget | Best when... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter from the baby | 30 min | free | you want to move them without spending |
| Photo with a speech bubble | 15 min | under 5 € | you ask during pregnancy |
| Older sibling's drawing | 20 min | free | there is a big brother or sister aged 3 or over |
| QR code video | 1 h | free | the person lives far away |
| Scratch card | 30 min, or a few days if ordered | 2 to 15 € | you like a little suspense |
| Printed vest or bib | about a week | 15 to 25 € | you want something worn on the day |
| Puzzle | about a week | 15 to 30 € | you ask around a table |
| Bottle label | 1 h plus printing | a few euros plus the bottle | the person enjoys a toast |
| Hidden-message box | 1 evening | 20 to 50 € | you hand it over in person |
| Storybook with the child as hero (Looma) | 15 min, ebook ready in about 2 h | 3.99 € ebook, plus 24.99 € for the hardcover and delivery at checkout | you want a keepsake that lasts; a month ahead for the hardcover |
When to ask, and what to say
Many parents ask during pregnancy, once it has been announced, or in the first weeks after the birth. The only real rule is the margin: two to three months before the ceremony, so the person can keep the date free, plan any travel and, for a church christening, sort out whatever the parish asks of godparents.
Whatever the idea, plan to say three things, out loud or in writing:
- Why them: "You are the one who makes everyone laugh even when nothing is going right, and we want that for her."
- What you expect: being there for the big moments, not a present every year. If it is a church christening, say so, because the role includes supporting the child's faith.
- A way out: "Take your time, we will understand whatever you decide."
Avoid asking in public, in the middle of a family lunch: a yes pulled out in front of everyone is not a real yes, and a no becomes awkward for all.
Yes, no, maybe: taking the answer well
If they say yes, give them a concrete role straight away: choosing a reading for the service, coming to the baptism preparation, being first in line to babysit. If they hesitate, give them a date to answer by rather than chasing. If they decline, thank them sincerely: an honest no (distance, faith, a hard year) is better than an absent godparent. They can still have a special place, for example by giving a reading at the ceremony.
FAQ: what parents ask
When should you ask someone to be a godparent?
During pregnancy or in the first weeks after the birth, and at the latest two to three months before the ceremony. For a Catholic baptism, the parish may ask the godparent for proof of confirmation, which can take a while to obtain.
Can you have godparents without a christening?
Yes. A humanist naming ceremony lets you appoint guideparents or supporting adults. Like a christening, it has no legal basis: if you want someone to become your child's guardian, that goes in your will.
Do you need to give a gift when you ask?
No. A letter or a photo with a speech bubble is enough. A gift makes sense when it gets used afterwards (a vest worn at the christening, a bottle opened together), not to impress.
What if the person says no?
Thank them, do not push, and offer another role if they would like one. A no is often a sign they take it seriously: they know what the role asks and would rather not promise what they cannot keep.
Where Looma fits
If you take one thing away: the best proposal says why this person, at the right time, with no pressure. A letter from the baby does that. If you want the proposal to become a keepsake your child will reread one day with their godparent, our personalized christening book is one version of it: the child as hero, the person you chose at their side, and the question on the last page, which you read and adjust once the ebook is paid for. You can create one in a few minutes for 3.99 €, and decide afterwards whether the hardcover is worth it.