What are silver spoons covered with? Why a child is given a silver spoon for the first tooth: a traditional custom and modern gifts

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Silver spoon from the first days

It has long been a tradition on Russian soil to give it to a newborn when the first tooth appears, but few do not think about where this tradition came from. Nowadays, when the Internet and modern digital technologies are public, the objects and actions that our mothers and grandmothers believed in are losing their relevance and are being criticized. Many young parents cut their children's hair before the first anniversary, show the kids to friends and relatives from the first days of his birth, and also do many other things that were unacceptable in the old days. The tradition of giving a silver spoon at the birth of a baby is also forgotten. Let's try to understand why this tradition appeared.

Why do you need to give a thing made of silver?

Silver items are very useful. Science has proven that silver ions can destroy more than 650 types of harmful microorganisms, which, among other things, cause intestinal diseases. For example, chlorine and lime are 5 times worse at dealing with microorganisms than silver. It is able to remove various toxins from the body in a short period of time. Moreover, a lack of silver in an infant's body can weaken its immune system, as a result of which the body is more susceptible to colds.

Therefore, the tradition of giving a newborn a silver spoon has a more practical purpose. Usually, this gift is presented with the appearance of the first tooth, because from that moment on, mothers begin to feed the child not only with breast milk, but also with other baby products. This is what a silver spoon is for, as it is perfectly safe to give food with it.

According to the Gospel, among the many gifts that were presented to the newborn Jesus, there were many items made of gold and silver. In Russia, not everyone can afford gold items, but silver has been and is a more affordable metal. Therefore, a gift that would symbolize wealth and at the same time have ancient Christian roots was silver. And what could be better for a baby than a spoon.

Who should give the gift?

If everything is clear from the practical side of such a gift, then there are many opinions about when and who should make it. Most often, a spoon is given when the first tooth appears in newborns, and the one who finds this tooth gives it.

There is an opinion that godparents should give a silver spoon for a newborn at the baptismal ritual. This is a very good solution, since it saves godparents from choosing a gift, and parents from unnecessary costs. In order for the gift to be original, you can engrave the name of the baby on the spoon. In general, it is not so important who will present this gift, it is more important that it be given sincerely, from a pure heart.

To date, there are many silver items on the market that differ not only in appearance, but also in the quality of silver.

Therefore, when choosing a silver spoon for a baby, you need to be extremely careful.

If the gift will be used as a souvenir, then you need to choose its beautiful design and decoration. In the case of using a gift for its intended purpose, it is necessary to ask in stores for a hygiene certificate, which is a confirmation of the high quality of the product, and also pay attention to the silver sample (should be 999 samples) and what the scooped spoons are covered with, because in order for the silver not to lose its shine, it is covered with a protective layer. The safest way to cover is to use silver of the same sample with which the spoon is made. Very often, the product is covered with decorative coatings that are harmful to the health of not only a child, but also an adult. It is not advisable to buy a silver spoon that is covered with:

lacquer (varnishing), as lacquer coating is better suited for souvenir and rare items;
rhodium (radiation), as this coating blocks the useful properties of silver to destroy bacteria;
gold (gilding), which also reduces the useful properties of silver.

Note that silver spoons are quite accessible to the population of the country. Their cost is in the range of 50-150 dollars.

Therefore, if for some reason your child was not given a silver spoon, do not spare your money and purchase it yourself, as it is an item that will help the baby resist harmful microorganisms.

Mom and dad should share this touching ceremony with him and his parents. According to custom, the godparents give the child several gifts. Among them are a baptismal shirt and a cross, a kryzhma is a towel in which the baby is wrapped after the font. These presents are presented. And dad must pay for the treat for the guests and the rite itself, give a cross and a chain.

Silver spoon - a gift for the "chub"

The church tradition of giving a godson a silver spoon appeared quite a long time ago. I present a precious metal spoon to the baby for the future, so that the child can eat food with this cutlery. On the spoon, the name of the baby or the image of the Guardian Angel, an Orthodox cross is often engraved. You can also write the words of prayer on the gift.

The traditional gift is usually used for the first time already in the temple. It serves to accustom the baby to Communion. With the help of a silver spoon, the crumbs are given bread soaked in pomegranate or any other red fruit juice.

Silver spoons for christening today can be chosen with different finishes. Products decorated with colored enamel are common, it is worth choosing a beautiful case and a ribbon for an important gift.

The symbolism of silver spoons

Silver spoons are given as a “tooth”, because when a baby’s first teeth erupt, complementary foods are introduced into his diet at that time. When getting acquainted with new food, the use of spoons made of precious metal gives a disinfecting effect. This is because silver ions kill pathogenic microbes, pathogens of intestinal and other diseases. So a spoon can be a very practical gift for a godson.

Also, a baptismal gift allows you to accustom the child to independence earlier. But for this you need to choose a spoon with a comfortable handle - curved. Baptismal spoon is sure to please the baby and become his favorite if you choose her choice wisely.

The spoons donated for baptism are small in size, but the appearance and shape of the silver cutlery may vary. The popularity of baptismal spoons made of noble metal especially increased in the 18th century. Today, such gifts for kids are affordable for almost everyone, they allow you to express a special attitude towards the child.

It has long been customary to give a baby a silver spoon for the first erupted tooth. According to tradition, it was tapped on a tooth so that the child would grow up healthy and successful, and the rest of the teeth would erupt painlessly. The one who first noticed the baby's tooth fell out to buy a spoon. Later, godparents began to give a silver spoon for the christening of a child, as a valuable souvenir. Today, this tradition has been preserved in both versions.

Why give a silver spoon for the first tooth or Baptism

In the times of Ancient Rus', only godparents who were entrusted with the spiritual upbringing of the baby could present a spoon made of silver. After Baptism, she was placed in the baby's crib as a talisman against the evil eye, a conspiracy. They also believed that the precious metal would bring good luck, wealth and prosperity to the baby. And although today it is considered superstition and has nothing to do with Baptism, many still believe in omens.

Godparents even today give a silver spoon to their godchildren, because it can become not just a valuable souvenir, passed down from generation to generation, like a family heirloom, but also a necessary item in everyday life.

Who gives a silver spoon for the first tooth to a baby

Today, a silver spoon can be given not only by godparents, but also by grandparents, relatives and close friends of the family invited to christening. Such a gift, unlike toys and clothes, is practical, durable, and serves as a pleasant reminder of a bright event. In addition, a silver spoon can be personalized or engraved with a prayer / wish.

Most often, a silver spoon is kept as a keepsake, along with other family heirlooms, so it’s better to give a product with Orthodox symbols for christening, and a model with color drawings, a name, engraved with the child’s metrics (height, weight and time of birth) or with the inscription "On the first tooth."

The assortment in our store is quite diverse. You can buy a small in size and weight, purely souvenir product. Such models are usually no more than 10 cm long and about 5 g in weight. The spoon is kept as a symbol of the godson's spiritual connection with the recipient or as a reminder of the Sacrament (if donated by someone else).

A silver coffee spoon will be useful to a newborn as the first cutlery - from it the mother will be able to start feeding the baby. The size of such spoons is 11-13 cm, the average weight is 15 g.

A teaspoon is a spoon from which a grown baby can eat on his own. These products are 13-15 cm in size and weigh 25-30 g. Such a spoon fits comfortably in the child's hand and allows you to collect the right amount of food at a time.

Having decided on the size, you need to pay attention to the quality of workmanship. Children's silver spoons should be well polished, without sharp edges and high protruding decorative details. The best option for comfortable use is a model with a wide flat handle.

Well, if the silver spoon will have a certificate of conformity. And although in Russia the mandatory certification of jewelry has been abolished, and their quality is confirmed by the presence of a hallmark with a hallmark, a seal and the name of the manufacturer, large manufacturers of silverware certify children's spoons.

Silver spoon for girls

A girl can buy a product with openwork weaves, flowers, butterflies, bows, angels as a gift. These can be spoons only made of silver or additionally decorated with gilding, colored enamel, stones. Orthodox silver spoons for girls are produced with various shapes of crosses, a vine, a Guardian Angel, the image of the Virgin.

Boy's silver spoon

For boys, as a gift, you can choose models with the image of bears, stars, angels, stars. Spoons with crosses, images of Saints, floral ornaments, church bells and chapels are suitable for christening. As for girls, discreet, pure silver models are produced and brighter in design - with colored, black enamel, stones.

Benefits of silver spoons for newborns

It is believed that the spoon for the first feeding of the baby should be made of silver. This is due to the bactericidal properties of the metal - on its surface, most microbes and pathogenic strains that cause intestinal disorders die. Silver disinfects water 5 times more effectively than chlorine and lime. It is especially useful to drink such water during colds, since silver ions, entering the body, neutralize and remove toxins, improve metabolism, thereby strengthening the immune system.

It is safe to feed a child from a silver spoon - the metal not only saturates the food with useful ions, but also destroys bacteria in the baby's mouth.

Proper care of your silver spoon

When using a children's silver spoon in everyday life, a dark coating forms on its surface over time. It is removed with a special solution or napkins, which are sold in jewelry stores. But frequent use of a cleaning agent can damage the top protective layer of varnish, so it’s better to simply rub the product with a cloth and protect it from scratches, the aggressive effects of drugs, juices.

Silverware should not be washed with abrasive particles or cleaned in a dishwasher. Ordinary alcohol brightens silver well, while it does not spoil the decor of the spoon in the form of gilding or enamel, and does not affect specially blackened silver. It is not necessary to soak the product in it for a long time, it is enough to wipe the darkened area with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol.

No need to store a silver spoon with stainless cutlery. Steel is harder than silver, therefore it provokes the appearance of scratches and scuffs on the product. Silver devices are recommended to be kept in a special box on a soft lining, having previously washed and dried them thoroughly.

The good old tradition is when they give a silver spoon to a child.

Many heard about it, someone gave, and someone even received such a present.

But when exactly is it customary to give it? Also, who usually does it? And where did this tradition come from? In our article we will try to understand these issues and more.

Usually a silver spoon is given when a baby has its first tooth.

It is believed that this should be done by the person who first noticed him. But often the happy opportunity to observe the first tooth goes to mom or dad.

And of course, such a gift can be presented to a baby by someone to whom he is important, who cares about him and wants to please both parents and the child.

It also happens that everyone was happy with the first tooth, but no one made a gift. In this case, you should not be upset, because relatives and friends simply could not have guessed to do this or did not know at all about such a custom. Therefore, mom and dad can give a silver spoon. Who, if not them, will do it with genuine love and care.

Also, godparents give a spoon after the rite of baptism. This is a great idea for a gift on such an important day in the life of a baby.

At the same time, godparents can give a spoon not only on the day of christening, but also on the anniversary of this event. It should only be borne in mind that children grow quickly, and perhaps not such a small spoon will be required.

Whatever the rules and customs say, it is still not so important who exactly and when gives a silver spoon, but it is appreciated whether it is done with soul and from a pure heart.

Where did such a tradition come from?

The custom of giving a silver spoon at the appearance of the first tooth probably originates in biblical legends. When Jesus was born, the magi gave him gold, because in those days in the East it was considered a sign of wealth, success and dignity.

Therefore, in Rus' there was such a sign. It was also customary to give such a thing that would personify wealth and symbolize a future worthy life. That is why the kids were given some kind of silver product: a coin, jewelry or a spoon.

Silver spoon with engraving

Later, in Tsarist Russia, children were traditionally given a small spoon (for dessert) on the first day of school, and a dining room on the last day.

There is a saying in English culture, the meaning of which is that a lucky person is said to be born with a "silver spoon in his mouth."

We usually say that such a person was “born in a shirt”. Therefore, the sign of giving a silver spoon is common not only in Russian-speaking countries.

Why is a spoon given precisely for the appearance of the first tooth?

There is a belief that if you knock three times on a grown tooth with a spoon, the rest will appear soon, and this process will not be so painful and painful.

This is done to ensure that the teeth were healthy and strong.

In addition, there is another point of view - a practical one.

Around this period, children begin to give bait.

Since before that the baby ate only mother's milk, which is extremely healthy and sterile, there is a risk of getting "foreign" bacteria during complementary feeding. That is why when feeding, a silver spoon is used as an additional degree of protection. After all, it is a fact that silver has an antibacterial effect.

Usually, the baby is fed with a silicone spoon, and he just plays with a silver one. Then they move on to feeding with this particular device. And when the child grows up, he independently takes food with a spoon.

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Why choose a spoon made of silver for a gift?

Silver is a metal that can disinfect and kill harmful bacteria and microbes.

And this is of great importance when teeth are cut, because the child's immunity is not strong enough.

Moreover, it has long been believed that silver is able to take on all the bad things.

This opinion came from the fact that the silver jewelry worn on the body periodically darkens.

Silver is credited with properties, takes away illnesses and all negativity on itself.

Why is a spoon made of gold not suitable?

It is impossible to say with certainty that a golden spoon is not suitable for a gift. There is a healthy grain in this matter, because gold is a more expensive metal.

In addition, it is believed that the origins of the custom of giving a spoon when the first tooth appears are in biblical legends, when the Magi gave gold, frankincense and myrrh for the birth of Jesus.

Table gold

However, it so happened historically that the spoon should be made of silver. Once in Rus', silver was recognized as the most valuable metal.

Which spoon is best for a gift?

The choice of a silver spoon, like any other gift, should be done carefully if there is a desire to present a really worthwhile thing.

It makes sense when buying a silver spoon to pay attention to the following:

size;
quality;
is it comfortable to hold it in the pen;
aesthetic characteristics.

Given that, as a rule, such a present is presented to a very tiny child, the size of the spoon will matter.

There is no doubt that it should be small, so a tablespoon will definitely not work. When choosing a small spoon, it is recommended to give preference to coffee rather than dessert.

Starting with a small device, there will be an opportunity not to puzzle over the choice of a gift in the future. As the baby grows older, it will be possible to give him a teaspoon, dessert, and then a fork.

It is important to choose a product of proper quality. The goods of a good manufacturer, as a rule, are attached:

certificate;
legal address of the enterprise;
an indication of the composition of the alloy;
advice on how to properly care for and clean the product.

You should not purchase the cheapest product, as well as a product with a low sample. This means that a lot of impurities were used in the manufacture of the spoon. Because of this, the spoon can quickly lose its appearance, which will upset both the child and the donor. After all, such a gift is presented for a long memory.

Spoon for christening

It is not recommended to choose a product with gilding, because it is known that gold and silver do not combine well with each other. Gold can block the useful properties of silver, and this is a big minus, since a very small child will use the spoon. Also, although adding gold will look nice, over time it will wear off and the gift will lose its original appearance.

You should also pay attention to whether it will be convenient for the child to hold a spoon, because sooner or later the baby himself will begin to pick it up. For a small palm, a spoon is suitable:

with a wide handle;
and a deep bucket.

And finally, the gift must be beautiful. After all, a spoon will be kept as a memory of childhood and of the person who gave it. You can add an engraving to the product and write the name of the baby on it.

It is best to buy silver with a breakdown of "925". This means that the proportion of silver is 92.5%, and copper - only 7.5%.

It is believed that a spoon should be given immediately at the moment when the very first tooth of a baby was born. And it should be done by the one who first notices it.

But given that it is difficult to imagine a situation when it is not his mother who sees him first, but his grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, godparents or friends, a gift can be made a little later.

The child and his parents will be pleased if they are presented with such a birthday present.

The tradition of giving a baby a silver spoon is actually very good. Such a gift is pleasant and beautiful, and also speaks of the most tender manifestations in relation to a small child. Attention is always nice.

From the age of 4, a child can quite make simple crafts on his own. can be made from improvised materials - paper, plasticine and even from cotton pads.