How To Ask Someone To Be A Godparent (10 Ways) (2023)

After discovering that you’re pregnant, there are a ton of things to do to prepare for the arrival of the baby.

You need a nursery, toys, plenty of diapers, and a few other bits and bobs that are considered baby essentials.

One of the most important parts of preparing for a baby’s arrival is determining who is going to be the godparents.

In a more secular environment, godparents are basically those who will take over the stewardship of the child should the parents pass away.

If you know that you want godparents for your baby, then you may be unsure how to ask them to be the godparents of your child.

Here are 10 ways you can ask someone to be the godparent of your child.

How To Ask Someone To Be A Godparent (10 Ways)

1. Formal Letter

One of the traditional ways to ask someone to be a godparent is to write them a formal letter.

While texts and emails have replaced letters in today’s world, you can still earn some points by writing a formal letter by hand.

Because they’re so rare these days, letters are special.

They often indicate that you’ve put a lot of thought into what you wanted to say.

Since it requires more effort to write a letter as opposed to an email or a text, it means just a bit more.

In the letter, it’s always a good idea to tell the person how much you appreciate them.

It’s important that they understand why you think they’re the best choice as a godparent for your child.

Once you’ve added in some flattery, it’s also worth mentioning what you want the role to include.

Perhaps you want them to adopt your child as their own in the event of your passing.

Maybe you want them to become a mentor to your child.

It could even be as simple as showing up for birthdays and just being a part of their lives.

Telling them your expectations can help them make decisions easier since they can determine whether they’re able to meet those expectations or not.

You should then close the letter with more words of appreciation.

Finish the letter in a respectful way and send it to their address.

You can also always go the extra mile and purchase expensive envelopes and paper on which to write.

If you really want to impress your recipient, then you might want to learn how to write with fancy handwriting or even calligraphy.

By going the extra mile, you can show them how important the matter it is to you.

Writing a letter is a formal and effective way to ask someone to be your child’s godparent.

2. Special Dinner

Another traditional way to ask someone to be your godparent is to host a special dinner for them.

You can either take them out or have a dinner party at your home.

In most cases, having a private dinner that you host in your home is a better option.

If you want to take them out for dinner, then you should wait to ask them about being a godparent until you’re out of the restaurant.

It’s not fair to ask someone a big question like that in a public space.

Not only does it apply pressure to them, which can lead to terrible results, but it can sour the entire evening.

Serving them dinner in your home is a better option because you can set the mood.

Make it a relaxed affair that’s casual but intimate.

Serve them their favorite food, buy their favorite drinks, and plan for entertainment that they enjoy doing.

It’s also a good idea to have the baby present if you’ve already given birth.

This can help them connect with the baby and enjoy their time with it throughout the dinner.

That said, you don’t want to smother them with the baby.

When the baby gets tired, take it to its bed and continue to entertain your guests without the baby around.

During dessert is an ideal time to ask them to be a godparent.

They should feel satisfied by the meal they just had, and they’re set to eat some sweets which also should put them in a good mood.

You can always get creative, too, and have a cake with the question on it that you present to them.

Dinners are a great way to ask someone to be your godparent because it’s an intimate situation that you can cater to them.

3. Send A Card

If you’re not looking for a serious godparent or the relationship between you and the intended godparent is a lighthearted one, then you might be able to get away with sending a card.

You can find tons of different cards that ask someone to be a godparent in different ways.

Some cards do it with a joke.

Others do it with a poem.

Some cards seek to inspire intimacy and appreciation and are earnest in nature.

Depending on the type of role that you want them to play and the relationship you have with the person, you can find an appropriate card.

A card isn’t as good as sending a letter since it isn’t custom-made for them.

However, you can elevate the card by writing a message in it.

The message should follow some of the same examples as the letter.

Indicate why you think they’re the best choice to be your child’s godparent.

Then let them know what your expectations are.

A card does some of the heavy lifting for you in terms of setting the mood, but it’s up to you to nail it home with a handwritten message on top of it.

Cards are a good way to ask someone to be a godparent of your child if you include a personal message on it, too.

4. Day Out With The Baby

If you’re worried that the individual might not accept your invitation as a godparent because they’re not close to the baby, then the best time to ask them is after a day spent with you and the baby.

Plan a few different activities to keep the day interesting.

The focus should be on the baby and the prospective godparent.

Maybe you go to the zoo or the park.

This gives you a chance to see how the individual handles being around the baby.

As a result, you can determine whether or not they’re going to be a good fit as a godparent.

It also helps them bond with the baby.

They may be more willing to take on the role after they get some time with it.

It’s hard to ask someone to look after a baby or support a baby if they’re never seen it, held it, or heard it laugh.

After a day devoted to the baby and the prospective godparent, both can come out of it feeling closer.

At the end of the day, you can then ask them in person if they’d consider the role.

You can point to specific times during the day you just had that demonstrate their natural skills and abilities that you appreciate in a godparent.

After a fun day, the individual might be more inclined to accept the role.

Having a day out with the baby and prospective godparent is a great opportunity to test the waters and ask them to be a godparent.

5. Puzzle

Asking someone to be a godparent should be more about them than about the baby.

You don’t want to throw a party for the baby, for example, then ask them if they want to be a godparent.

It’s a serious role that requires serious thought.

One way that you might want to ask them is through a puzzle.

This method only works for those who love puzzles.

If they’re not a fan of puzzles, then this isn’t an ideal way to ask them to take the role.

It’ll likely increase the chance of them giving you a negative answer.

For those who do enjoy puzzles, however, there are tons of different ways that you can ask them.

If you want to ask them through a standard jigsaw puzzle, then you can always have a custom puzzle made.

One way to do this is to take a picture of them holding the baby.

Then convert that photo into a puzzle with the question written on it.

As they put together the puzzle with you, they’ll slowly reveal the question.

Not only will they be looking at an endearing photo of themselves with the baby, but you’ll have impressed them to the point where it might convince them to say yes.

This sort of extra touch shows them that you care about them and consider them worthy to take care of your child.

Using a puzzle to ask someone to be a godparent to your child is a fun and creative method that might give you the answer you’re hoping for.

6. Birth Celebration

If you know that you want an individual to be the godparent of your child, then you might want to invite them to the birth.

Depending on your comfort level, you might have them in the room with you or waiting outside.

Being a part of the birth is a special moment.

Since they’re there when the baby comes into the world, they’re more likely to feel responsible for it.

While parents and grandparents should have first access to the baby, you might want to consider letting the prospective godparent hold the baby after that.

This tells them that you value them over others.

It also tells them that you trust them with the baby.

If the area is private, then you can ask them while they’re holding the baby for the first time.

If it’s still public, then you can always ask them when you’re alone with them later.

Regardless, having them present at the birth can be an emotional moment that’s perfect for indicating who you want the godparent to be.

7. Baby Photos

If you’re a family that likes to take photos, then you can use that skill or hobby to ask someone to be a godparent.

The best way to do that is with baby photos.

You can have a baby wearing a t-shirt with the question it.

You can have the baby playing with blocks that spell the question.

You could have them eating a cake with the question written on it in frosting.

There are no limits to your creativity.

The idea is to stage it with a photo.

Then when the photos are ready, you can take them over to the individual and show them.

Some of the photos should be without the question.

When it comes to the photo with the question, you might want to do something a little extra to make them realize that the question is for them.

That might mean offering them a flower, a treat, or even giving them some form of apparel that says godparent on it.

Baby photos are a fun way to ask someone to be a godparent because it’s cute and surprising.

If you really want to surprise the prospective godparent, then you could also always make them a part of the photoshoot, too.

When the prop asking the question comes into the area, then you’ll want to double that up by asking them directly.

When the photographer takes the photo, hopefully, they’ll be capturing a happy moment rather than a disappointing and awkward one.

Baby photos and photoshoots are a great way to ask someone to be your godparent because they’re creative and fun.

8. Scavenger Hunt

Another fun way to ask someone to be your child’s godparent is to take them out on a scavenger hunt.

This method is best for those who love adventure, treasure hunting, and have a great sense of humor.

If the person you’re thinking of asking to be a godparent is a bit more traditional, then they might not enjoy this method.

For those who are fun and up for a game, you’ll want to have them looking for a few items.

It should all be baby-related.

If you really want to play the long game, then it’s even better if those items also relate to the prospective godparent.

An example might be a photo of them and the baby.

Another example might be a gift that the individual bought for the baby.

Eventually, the scavenger hunt should lead them to you or a letter with the question on it.

As with all scavenger hunts, each station has a riddle that they need to solve to discover where they need to go next.

At the final station, you can either ask them directly or have them solve a puzzle or riddle that ends with the question.

This is a fun way to ask them to take the role of your child’s godparent.

9. Matching T-Shirts

Nothing quite says family like everyone wearing the same t-shirt.

You can plan a family outing with the prospective individual invited, too.

Everyone should wear their matching family t-shirts on the outing.

Before you leave, however, you should present a family t-shirt to the prospective godparent, too.

Their t-shirt should state something along the lines of being the baby’s godparent.

While you present the t-shirt to them, you can ask them if they’d be willing to be your baby’s godparent.

If they accept, then they can have the t-shirt and match just like everyone else.

If they don’t, then things might get awkward, but the outing can take away the sting a little.

Using matching t-shirts can help a person feel part of the family and be a great way to ask them to take the role of a godparent.

10. Frank Conversation

Sometimes the best way to ask someone to be a godparent is also the simplest.

If you want an individual to be the godparent of your child, then sometimes it’s best to just ask them.

You can have them over for a casual gathering, then take them somewhere private to have the conversation.

Like the letter, you should start the conversation by indicating how appreciative you are of them and how special they are to your family.

Then you can tell them about the reasons that you believe they’d be a great choice for your baby’s godparent.

Finally, ask them simply if they’d like to take the role.

You can also explain what you expect from the role.

Whether they accept or not, you should still show them gratitude and understanding.

The conversation should always be in private and should be between you and that individual.

The simplest way to ask someone to be a godparent is to have a frank conversation with them.

Conclusion

Asking someone to take on the role of your baby’s godparent is a big deal.

It requires someone to make some life choices to better fit the role and expectations that you have for them.

Because of the seriousness of the role, it may be difficult to come up with a few ideas on how to ask them.

Depending on the individual in question and the type of expectations you have for them, you’re sure to find that at least one of the ideas above can be a great way to ask them to become your baby’s godparent.

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