home › Health › What to do with a silver spoon. Why give silver spoons for the first tooth and how to choose them? Quality is in the details

What to do with a silver spoon. Why give silver spoons for the first tooth and how to choose them? Quality is in the details

It is a very old tradition to give a child a silver spoon for the first tooth or baptism, what is it for? Who and why should give a silver spoon to a child?

Most often, it is customary to give a silver spoon for the first tooth, but there is an opinion that it is more correct to give a silver spoon for a child's christening. Why give a silver spoon and who should give it, let's figure it out.

The tradition of giving a silver spoon came to us most likely from England, because. we talk about the lucky ones, born in a shirt, and there that was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. A children's silver spoon, perhaps, will mark the beginning of a collection of family silver.

Silver spoon for christening

Baptism is the most important event in a baby's life after birth. With great trepidation, people treated the sacrament of the baptism of a child, the solemnity of the moment is very great and it was customary to present a child for baptism, thus demonstrating involvement. The child is dressed in new clothes, covered with kryzhma after bathing in holy water, and a little later, the mother will give the baby from a silver spoon of consecrated water, as in the temple at the first communion, the priest also gives a drop of "Blood of Christ" from a silver spoon. There is some symbolism in this.

Sometimes, on a silver spoon, the name with which the child was baptized is engraved, this is especially true if the name with which the child was baptized differs from what the parents gave at birth.

Silver spoon for the first tooth

The appearance of the first tooth in a baby is a huge, hard-won event, they say that whoever was the first to see the tooth and give the baby a silver spoon. Folk wisdom teaches that you need to lightly tap on the baby’s first tooth with a silver spoon and wish good health and a rich life, and it will happen. Thus, the silver spoon becomes the amulet of the child.

Why give a silver spoon

There is another more pragmatic side to giving a child a silver spoon, the point is in the very metal from which the spoon is made, because. silver is a valuable metal such a gift symbolizes a rich life and success.

If you want to make a valuable and memorable gift to a child, give a silver spoon, give money - they will be spent and in a year no one will remember how much you gave them, clothes will be worn out, children, especially at this age, grow very quickly, and toys will be broken and forgotten, while a silver spoon is a valuable and memorable gift. There is also a practical side to such a gift, when the first complementary foods are introduced to the baby, the silver spoon will find its direct purpose, I’m sure you don’t need to talk about the high disinfecting ability of silver.

What and who can give a silver spoon to a child

I am sure that everyone who gives gifts wants their gift to be satisfied and used, which means that such a serious matter as choosing a silver spoon for a child should be taken seriously. I recommend the online store-children's silver spoon from the company Family Jewels will definitely please the baby.
First of all, choose a silver spoon for a baby gift:

Rounded so that the baby does not accidentally get hurt;

Not too heavy, so that it would not be difficult for the baby to hold the silver spoon in the handle;

The handle of the spoon should not have a smooth surface, but with curly irregularities, so that the spoon does not slip in the children's handle;

With a childish design, children's silver spoons are often decorated with colored enamel with funny animal designs and the like;

Anyone can give a silver spoon for the christening of a child, there are no strict rules in this regard, and for the first tooth, as mentioned above, the one who first saw the tooth, but it can also be the closest relatives of grandparents, aunts, uncles, or godparents.

Surely many have heard about the tradition of giving a silver spoon for the first tooth, but few people think about its essence. In recent years, when, thanks to the development of digital technologies and the Internet, information has become publicly available, various signs and superstitions that our grandmothers and even mothers unconditionally followed are subjected to merciless criticism and debunking. So, most young parents calmly show their babies to relatives and friends in the first days of life, actively take pictures of children, cut their hair without waiting for the first anniversary and do many other things, without looking back at the old, sometimes irrational prohibitions. Silver spoons, as a gift for newborns, are also consigned to oblivion. Many parents prefer to "order" and make more rational gifts, considering the tradition outdated, and the spoon itself as a meaningless whim. And, by the way, in vain. Let's try to figure out in detail - why does a child need a silver spoon.

Why give a silver spoon?

Silver products are not only beautiful, but also undeniably useful. So, modern science has the facts that silver ions are capable of destroying about 650 types of all kinds of microorganisms, including pathogens that cause intestinal and other diseases. The disinfecting properties of silver are 5 times higher than those of lime and chlorine. In addition, it is able to quickly neutralize and remove toxins from the body.

In folk medicine, the so-called "silver water" is widely used, which is obtained as a result of "charging" the liquid with noble metal ions. It is used to prevent various acute respiratory infections, influenza, strengthens overall immunity and improves metabolism.

Thus, the answer to the question of why they give a silver spoon has a practical explanation. This gift is usually timed to coincide with the appearance of the first tooth, after which, as a rule, the first complementary foods are introduced. Giving the first food from a silver spoon is safe, it not only ionizes food, but also kills bacteria in the mouth and on the baby's teeth. So the child, who previously ate only mother's milk and is now at risk of getting an infection with new food, has an additional "means of protection".

A bit of history

It is believed that the custom of giving a child a silver spoon has its roots in biblical stories. Among the gifts brought by the Magi to the infant Jesus were items made of gold. But, since, since ancient times, silver was in great use and honor in Rus', a newborn was given a silver jewelry or a coin as a symbol of a rich and happy life. The tradition was continued - on the first day of school, the gymnasium was given a teaspoon on the day the study began and a dining room on the day of graduation. A spoon is a symbol of growing up, gaining independence.

Who should give the silver spoon?

If everything is relatively clear with the practical purpose and symbolism of such a gift, then there are different points of view about who and when give a silver spoon. One of them, as mentioned above, supports the custom of giving a spoon on the first tooth. The honorable mission to make a gift is assigned to the one who discovers the tooth first.

There is also an opinion that godparents should give a silver spoon for christening. A very rational approach, since, on the one hand, it saves parents from considerable expenses, and on the other hand, it solves the problem of a gift for godparents. Toys can break, clothes will inevitably become small, and a spoon will become a memorable and useful gift. In order to make the gift more original, you can make a dedicatory engraving on a silver spoon, a kind of “message to the future”.

However, if for some reason your baby was never given a spoon, try to get it yourself. Think about it - you spend impressive amounts every month on disposable diapers and toys that are, in fact, more interesting to you than to the child, so it might be worth buying a really useful thing for your baby.

Our culture is rich in rituals and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation without losing their relevance. Especially many customs are associated with the protection of small children from a bad look and evil spirits. Fair or not, this knowledge is passed on and used even in the modern world.
One of these rituals is the solemn presentation of a silver spoon for the first teeth, often even engraved with the name of the baby, which makes the gift especially valuable and symbolic.

Where did such a custom come from, what symbolism does it carry, who should give such a gift to a baby and how not to miscalculate with the choice of silver? What do experts think about this tradition? We'll find out about everything!

Why give a silver spoon

In our culture, it is customary to celebrate all important moments with a gift. And then there is such an event - a tiny tooth! So painful, painful, but so long-awaited! One thing is not clear - why give a spoon for the first tooth, and even a silver one? Let's figure it out in order!

Why a spoon?

The appearance of a tooth is a call to the fact that very soon the baby will be able to eat solid food, the beginning of a new stage of growing up. And solid food is supposed to be eaten with a spoon, which is why it is given at such a significant moment in the life of the child and parents.

It is clear that the first spoon of the baby will be a cutlery made of softer materials - food grade plastic or silicone. However, over time, the baby will grow up, you will need a real spoon, and preferably one that the child can independently manage with it.

Therefore, the choice often falls on a teaspoon:

She is not big;
It is light enough;
It will come in handy even when the baby grows up - for tea.

Why silver?

Silver is a valuable metal. In many cultures, various beliefs are associated with silver. Silver weapons are used to kill evil spirits in modern films and books, and water in a church is blessed with a silver cross. There are legends about table silver, which used to be passed down from generation to generation.

For many nations, silver has always been considered a symbol:

Prosperity;
prosperity;

Purity;
Magic protection.

In addition to mysticism, there are a number of scientific studies confirming the antibacterial and antiseptic properties of this metal. Water enriched with silver ions has long been recommended for any disease - it is these ions that kill up to 650 species of various pathogenic microorganisms.

The first tooth is usually accompanied by rather painful sensations in the baby, the gum swells, turns red. The child drags everything into his mouth, just to get a little distracted and relieve the pain. In this case, let him play better with a silver spoon, this will reduce the risk of developing an inflammatory process in the oral cavity, which certainly accompanies the process of teething the first teeth.

Did you know? There is a belief that in order for a child's teeth to erupt quickly and painlessly, you need to knock on the first tooth three times with a donated silver spoon. Dentists and pediatricians are not enthusiastic about such a tradition - the baby hurts so much, why else knock? However, they have nothing against the fact that the baby himself “tryes” such a cutlery, reminding parents that it is still not worth using it as a toy - there are special teethers for this.

Who is obliged to give a gift

There are several answers to this question - the tradition is ambiguous:

God-parents. In some regions, it is believed that the godfather should give a silver spoon to his daughter, and the godmother - to her son. This is due to the fact that such a gift is regarded as a talisman for the baby for life. The engraving on the spoon donated for the first tooth (for example, the name of the baby) gives special strength to the gift. Often godparents take such a spoon with them to the rite of baptism of a child.
Older generation. This version has its origins in the tradition of handing down silverware from generation to generation. In this case, grandparents give a spoon as a symbol of procreation and its well-being.
The one who saw the tooth first. Most often, this, of course, is the mother, but sometimes dads are lucky to notice the first white dot on the baby’s gum. And whoever saw it before everyone else gives the baby such a serious gift in his life.

How to choose a quality spoon

In order for the gift to bring joy and not bring problems, you need to carefully consider the choice of a children's silver spoon for the first tooth - the safety and health of the baby depends on this. When buying silverware for crumbs, it is important to keep in mind the basic requirements for a spoon:

Safety. The shape of the spoon should be rounded, there should be no sharp edges so that the child does not accidentally get hurt. If you take an openwork spoon, check that there are no large holes on it, where the baby can easily stick his finger.

Quality. Make sure the spoon is really silver. Silver is a valuable metal, it is certified by the state, so on the back of the spoon handle, in addition to the sample (a good sample of silver is 925), there must be a stamp of the Assay Office. In addition, the product must have a passport with its exact description, and the store that sells it must have a quality certificate for the product.

Practicality. It is now a small child. If you want him to use the spoon in the future, it is better to buy something that is not so beautiful and pretentious, but practical. Take a device of classic design - so the child will be able to use it and, when he grows up, take it with him, and possibly pass it on to his baby. But if you still want to make a gift special, order an engraving, it is both memorable and convenient.

Did you know? 925 sterling silver is also called sterling. Above this standard, only silver bars are made, therefore if you see a product with a 999 sample, this is a hoax. Sterling silver itself is an alloy of silver and copper, but it is very rare to find an alloy of silver and zinc. You do not need to buy such a spoon for a child - zinc does not bring anything good to the human body. If you take a foreign-made spoon, look for the mark “Zinc free” in the product passport - this means that there is no harmful metal in the alloy.

Silver spoons for children for the first tooth- a traditional, but optional gift. It can be replaced with rodents, toys, baby clothes or diapers. Discuss this with the child's parents in advance.
If you decide to buy a spoon, do not trust online stores. Still, you choose a child, it is better to see such a thing with your own eyes and hold it in your hands. At the same time, check the security settings and documents for quality.
Whatever you give your baby for a “tooth”, do it from the heart and with a pure heart. Remember, your love is stronger than prejudice and will protect the baby better than any amulets!

Silver spoon for the first tooth - video

The first tooth is always a very joyful event in the life of parents and a child. This video captures the moment of presenting the baby with her real gift - a beautiful silver spoon. The girl even tries it herself “for a tooth”, rejoicing at the gift!

This video shows different design solutions for silver spoons, which may well be a gift for a baby on his very first tooth!

A silver spoon is not only an old custom and a wonderful tradition, it is also a necessary, useful gift. It is with this spoon that the baby will eat independently in the near future, because the first tooth is the first step towards “adult” food and its independent intake. Of course, this is an optional gift, such a spoon can be replaced with other things that are more relevant at the moment for the child, be it toys, hygiene products or clothes.

In any case, it is better to make a decision about such a gift together with the parents of the crumbs - only they have the right to decide whether the baby needs a silver spoon or a ceremony with handing and tapping on the tooth can be omitted.

Has your little one already got their first tooth? Have you followed the tradition of giving a silver spoon to the first tooth? Do you think this is an obligatory gift or is it more relevant to replace it with more practical things? If you know interesting information about this ceremony or you have your own view on this important moment in growing up, share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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:

the 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.

The birth of a child and Name Day - the first holidays of a child

For such cases, a dessert spoon with names is suitable. Often the days of the above holidays coincide for the reason that parents give their children names in honor of God's saints, and on the days when the child was born, their memory is celebrated. Such personalized gifts are in high demand today.

This silver spoon has a very festive look, so it is able to cheer up its owner and remind him of your attention and love. Whenever it is in front of your loved one's eyes, he will be happy to realize that he is remembered. If you present a silver spoon with a name to a small child, it will help him remember how to spell his name faster.

Dessert spoon - the most popular gift for Christening

And this is not surprising, because to present such a gift was considered an honor for a long time. For a person who is familiar with the traditions of his faith, his country, the choice of a silver spoon is a sign of his culture and intelligence. By the way, a dessert spoon will be appropriate not only for Christening, but also for the anniversaries of this event. It can be presented by godfathers and mothers, as well as just close and dear people.

This good tradition has spread all over the world, although it has changed slightly. For example, in England, as a rule, a dessert spoon was presented by parents. The device was made according to the following model: the master engraved twenty apostles on the handle of a spoon. It is for this reason that it is called "apostolic."

Historically, people began to use spoons before forks, but the time when this happened is not known. It is only known that exceptionally wealthy people could purchase a silver spoon. The first mention of this device dates back to 1259. Today, such a dessert spoon, presented as a gift for Christening, is a symbol of the wish for happiness, kindness and prosperity to the child.

An interesting fact: when in Russia they want to say that a person is lucky, they say about him “born in a shirt”, while in the UK they would say “born with a silver spoon in his mouth”. These popular expressions are built on many years of experience and faith. You can wish with all your heart well-being and kindness to the baby, but giving a shirt from the first catchphrase is unrealistic, but a silver spoon from the second is much easier.

First gift

When Jesus was born, the magi who came to him brought him jewels, among which was gold. After that, gold began to symbolize prosperity. But silver is a more accessible and precious metal, replacing gold, it has taken on the same biblical meaning.

How to choose the right spoon

It is important to understand that silver cutlery for children should be of the best quality. Don't try to pick the cheapest spoon. If the price is too low, then there are many impurities in the alloy. Most likely, a low-quality spoon with a low breakdown will soon lose its presentable appearance. And that's exactly what we don't want.

Silver can have a beneficial effect on health. It contains ions, which are a disinfectant and kill harmful microbes.

This is proven by historical facts:

In ancient China, as well as in Portugal and Spain, people deliberately swallowed small silver pills in the form of balls to treat stomachs.
Egyptian warriors applied plates of this metal to the affected area to heal wounds.

According to health officials, drinking water ionized with silver is very beneficial. To prepare it, put any silver device into the water and leave it there overnight. The healing drink will be ready in the morning.

A very small child does not need a tablespoon or dessert spoon; a coffee spoon is best for a crumb. With its help, it will be more convenient to feed the child. When he begins to grow up, you can continue to give silver such devices - a teaspoon, a dessert spoon, then a fork. Do not hesitate, such gifts will remain in his memory for a long time.

There is a beautiful pattern on the gilded spoon and it looks great, but you should not stop your attention on it. Gold and silver are not friends with each other. This is manifested in the fact that gold tends to block the antimicrobial properties of silver, because of which it is just so valuable. Such a spoon will be good as a decorative device, but it will not be suitable for feeding a baby.

If we look a little ahead, we will understand that when the baby grows up, he will want to pick up a spoon on his own. Therefore, for children it is necessary that it is comfortable to hold. Such a spoon should have a fairly deep ladle and a wide handle. Let the baby learn on convenient devices, because he still has so little skill.

Spoons on the tooth can be funny. Jewelers with creative imagination can create them for children in the form of animals or toys to please the child, and at the same time whet the appetite.