Silver spoon for the first tooth: why and why they are given, how to choose and care

Who gives a silver spoon for a baby's first tooth?

Now anyone can give a silver spoon to a baby. And earlier, when the tradition was strictly observed, only godparents could present such a gift. In rare cases, this could be the mother, since she is the first to notice the erupted tooth.

Nowadays, the custom of choosing godparents and the rite of baptism itself is often neglected, considering it unnecessary. Therefore, anyone can give the child the first spoon at the parents’ choice - themselves, grandparents, close relatives and even family friends. Today this is not so important, the main thing is that the gift is given with love and from the heart.

Benefits of a silver spoon for a newborn

Silver is not only a noble and precious metal, but also useful. Its properties to destroy germs and bacteria and disinfect water have attracted people since ancient times. For this, the metal was credited with healing powers and a magical effect on the human body and soul.

Therefore, for a newborn, a gift in the form of a spoon became not just the first expensive product, but also the first necessary and useful thing. During the teething process, parents begin to feed the baby, and it is much safer to do this with a silver spoon. Silver destroys most harmful bacteria and has an antiseptic effect.

Folk signs

Presents in the form of a silver spoon were highly valued by the ancient Slavs. They gave such a device to adults and children. Noble people used silver spoons for table setting. Commoners saw magical powers in such objects, so they used them as a talisman.

It was customary to pass a silver spoon down from generation to generation. It was believed that this allowed one to gain health, strength and support of one’s family. Godparents gave such a thing to their godchildren on a Christian holiday.

Newborns received a silver spoon as a small souvenir. The custom of giving such cutlery is not only Slavic. In England, a noble person holding a high position is said to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Residents of this country present children with such a thing upon entering school, gymnasium or university, as well as upon graduation from educational institutions. Silver cutlery is considered by the British to be a symbol of entry into adulthood. In Siberia, a spoon is given as a gift before teething in order to make this process faster and easier.

Silver spoon for christening

A silver teaspoon given to a child for christening symbolizes the wish for a prosperous and smooth life, health and longevity. On the handles of such spoons, as a rule, church symbols, the faces of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ or the saint in whose honor the child was christened, are depicted. Family incest is a delicate matter.

The history of this tradition goes back to the moment when the wise men came to the newborn Jesus Christ with gifts. Thus, from the moment of baptism, the baby is introduced to the sacraments of the church.

Who should give a spoon for the first tooth?

There are several opinions regarding who gives a child a spoon for his first tooth. Often, parents themselves choose such a souvenir for their baby, but close friends, grandparents, and other relatives can give a spoon.

If we turn to the origins of the tradition, there are three options:

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• God-parents. In ancient times, newborns were baptized in the first days of birth. However, many modern parents are in no hurry to initiate their child into the sacraments of baptism or even consider this ritual optional, allowing their son or daughter to make a choice in favor of any religion on their own. That is why godparents give a spoon for the first tooth less and less often.
• The mom who notices teething first. Seeing a thin white line against the background of pinkish gums, mothers understand that the long-awaited moment has arrived.
• Close relatives. It is very pleasant for grandparents, uncles and aunts to give a child a spoon for his first tooth as a memorable gift.

When is it customary to give?

Traditionally, it is customary to give a silver spoon when the first tooth erupts. However, nowadays many people neglect this rule. Often cutlery is given at baptism or one of the parents buys it as a dowry for the child. Some people buy sets of spoons of different sizes that will be useful to the child as he grows up.

If no one gave the baby a spoon for the first tooth, the mother can buy it herself and order the service of engraving the baby’s name. Other practical gifts for a boy or girl’s first tooth, in addition to a spoon, will be a teether, a baby monitor, clothes, a lightweight cane stroller and educational mats.

Why is it customary to give a silver spoon?

A spoon as a gift is a sign of care for a newborn baby. And it doesn’t matter at all what holiday it will be presented for. Of course, it is better to give it as a gift for a christening or the first tooth - then there is not just an element of a beautiful gesture, but also a great benefit for the baby.

What motivates people who give a newborn a silver spoon?

• Practicality considerations. Everyone loves to receive gifts that are not only beautiful, but also practical, which can not only be hung on the wall, but also, as they say, “to cover a hole in the wallpaper.”
• Benefit. Everyone knows that silver is a metal that our ancestors used to purify water.
• A good omen. There is a popular superstition that giving a spoon means attracting good luck.
• A strong amulet. Also refers to superstitions.
• Tradition. Many people don’t even think about why they should give a spoon. It’s just the way it should be and that’s it!

Let's figure out what the real benefit of such a gift is from a life, practical point of view and, of course, how the Church actually relates to such a gift.

Practical meaning and application

Silver is an unusual metal. Its unique properties have been known for a long time. For our ancestors, this was the only opportunity to disinfect the water you drink. After all, silver is capable of destroying bacteria, so a silver object was often dipped into water and thus made it safe.

Properties of silver:

• destruction of pathogenic microorganisms (silver solutions are often used to gargle, wash the nose, and wipe wounds);
• protection against intestinal infections (often used to disinfect the oral cavity, for example, in toothpastes and rinses, and also used in sorbents and suspensions to restore water balance;
• improves the taste of water.

When a baby begins to explore the world, he often puts all sorts of objects into his mouth. The problem is especially aggravated when teething, then it is almost impossible to control the child, especially since he begins to crawl and roll over. You can give your baby a silver spoon, and he will “scratch” his gums on it (you need to be careful and not move away from the baby to avoid injury). At the same time, all microbes collected in the oral cavity will be affected by silver ions and eliminated.

Starting from six months, the question of a silver spoon becomes even more practical. It is from this time that the little person begins to be introduced to complementary foods and needs his own personal spoon. Silver is ideal for the reasons stated above.

Thus, a silver spoon, as a gift for a newborn, has positive and practical properties:

• harmless when licked or bitten;
• disinfects, “kills” pathogenic microbes;
• frees parents from the need to choose the first spoon for the baby;
• teaches the child to be independent, because this spoon will be convenient for learning to eat by himself;
• is the first investment for a child.

So, from a material point of view, a silver spoon is a symbol of caring for the baby’s health. How does the Church view this gift?

Ecclesiastical meaning and application

Let us repeat that the Church does not oppose and even approves of a gift in the form of a silver spoon for christening. However, it reminds us that it is sinful to worship any thing or endow it with magical properties. A spoon is just a spoon. If a prayer or the face of a saint is carved on it, this does not mean that the child is protected from all troubles. From infancy, faith and love for God should be instilled; only these forces can protect in difficult times and save from trouble. A silver spoon can become a symbol of faith only if there is such faith. Of course, engraving with holy words or a patron icon on the handle helps to show the child’s interest in the Saints, their deeds and prayers, which should be encouraged in every possible way. This is how the moral and spiritual side of the personality develops.

Such a spoon can become a good symbol of faith for a child - every time he looks at it and remembers his God and the need to pray.

If you raise a child correctly, then his faith will nourish the silver spoon from an early age, and it will bring positive energy to the owner. Of course, such an accessory cannot become close to a person, such as a ring or an icon, but there is nothing superfluous in life if it reminds one of the Lord.

Thus, the Church has a positive attitude towards the tradition of giving a silver spoon at baptism, but reminds that endowing an object with any magical properties is superstition, and superstition is a sin!

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth

The children's tradition and the corresponding signs about giving a silver spoon are taken into account when the first tooth falls out and the baby is baptized. Answering the question: “Why is a silver spoon given as a gift for christening?”, “Why is it presented when the first tooth is discovered?”, the signs have several explanations. They all go back a long way. The silver spoon has become a distinctive children's gift, as a symbol of material wealth, good health and prosperity, since ancient times. The one who finds the first tooth or the godparents are those who bless the spoon with a gift to the child.

The unique design of the spoon and its disinfecting properties make it unique, useful and superstitiously positive. It also means an investment in the child’s future. Remaining as a keepsake, a tableware from childhood will always remind you of good traditions. Giving a silver teaspoon for a christening means wishing the baby happiness for life. And the one born with a silver spoon in his mouth, according to signs, will definitely become a successful person.

How to choose the right silver spoon?

In jewelry and church shops the selection of silver spoons is quite large. A coffee spoon no larger than 13 cm can be used as a device for introducing the baby's first complementary foods. A teaspoon size spoon is used when the baby grows a little and begins to eat on his own. The size of such a product should be up to 16 cm.

Having decided on the size, you need to pay attention to the quality of the product. Children's spoons should be well polished and free of sharp edges and protruding decorative parts. You need to choose them from trusted manufacturers. Quality must be confirmed by a certificate and seal.

Silver spoons for children: choosing the right one

If you want to buy a silver spoon as a gift for a child, it doesn’t matter whether it’s yours or someone else’s, you need to carefully consider its choice. After all, this souvenir is purchased for life! In addition, often such a spoon is not just kept in the sideboard, but also used for its intended purpose - feeding the baby

The range of prices in stores for silver spoons is from 700-800 to 4000-6000 rubles. Well, antique products from famous masters can cost incredible amounts of money!

When choosing a silver spoon, keep in mind that this is a product made of precious metal, so a sample must be applied to the spoon itself.

For silver, the standard is 925, this product contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% additives. That is, not pure silver, but an alloy is used to make cutlery. The fact is that silver is a soft metal, so additives are needed to give it sufficient hardness. Only the manufacturer knows the composition of such additives; it is often impossible to find out from the seller, and there is no need to do so.

It is enough if the product has a hygiene certificate. The presence of a hygiene certificate indicates that such a spoon can be eaten, and not just used as decoration.

When in contact with food, silver items darken quite quickly, losing their attractive appearance. Cleaning silverware is an unattractive task for the modern housewife, so cutlery usually has a protective coating. The composition of such a coating may be important. The best choice is electroplating with 999 silver, which allows you to preserve the beneficial properties of silver.

There are silver devices coated with a thin layer of gold, partially or completely. Such spoons look attractive and will not harm the child; in addition, gold does not darken with time and use. But the antibacterial effect inherent in silver products is lost.

But varnished spoons are purely decorative. Souvenir spoons and antique items are usually varnished to ensure maximum preservation. The varnish protects the surface of the silver well, but it is not recommended to use such a spoon, especially for feeding a child.

When purchasing silver spoons for children, also pay attention to the shape.

It is important that such a product does not have sharp edges or protrusions, and that the handle of the spoon is not too thin (a child can put it in his mouth)

Which spoon to choose: coffee, tea, dessert?

Tea spoons are more often given to babies. The coffee shop is considered too small.

You can give an older child or schoolchild a dessert spoon, especially if he already has a tea spoon.

As for design, there are no limits to imagination. Most often gifts are made with “children’s” themes (with bears, flowers, butterflies, etc.), Christian motifs (angels, crosses) are popular. An unforgettable gift - “apostolic spoons”. These are 12 spoons with the image of the twelve apostles. This gift is good for Christian holidays.

So, before buying a silver spoon for a child, you need to check:

• presence of sample;
• hygiene certificate;
• coating composition;
• shape;
• size;
• design.

Silver spoons from 925 standard Veliky Ustyug. Prices from 1400 to 4700 rubles.

Silver spoons for children are a wonderful gift. This is a manifestation of attention and care from loved ones.

Parents will appreciate such a gift.

The baby will happily chew on the spoon without causing harm to itself.

Grown-up children love “personalized” cutlery, which gives them originality and importance in their own eyes. Teenagers love expensive and sophisticated things

And young people need family traditions and self-confidence.

Children's silver spoons 925 sterling silver factory "Argenta". Prices in stores start from 3,000 rubles.

Nov 26, 2014

Care

Silver has certain properties - it darkens and tarnishes when it comes into contact with food, water and even air. Therefore, in order to return the product to its brilliant and festive appearance, you need to periodically perform simple manipulations:

1. When cleaning, forget about using various sponges, brushes and other objects that can scratch the surface of the spoon. Washing and wiping it is allowed only with soft cloths and gentle products.
2. For clarification, use a soda solution. Take a liter of clean water for 1 tablespoon of baking soda and boil the product in it for several minutes. To enhance the effect, you can add regular dishwashing detergent or salt to the liquid.
3. Keep a clean spoon in a dry place.

Proper care of a silver spoon

There is no need to store a silver spoon together with stainless cutlery. Steel is harder than silver, therefore it provokes scratches and abrasions on the product. It is recommended to keep silver silverware in a special box on a soft lining, after thoroughly washing and drying it.

Silver spoon for the first tooth

According to the signs of our ancestors, with a silver spoon given as a gift “for the first tooth,” you need to lightly tap the first tooth that has erupted. Then all the rest will erupt easily and painlessly for the baby.

Why do people give a silver spoon for their first tooth?

It is not known for certain where this tradition came from. Most likely, it is based on two facts:

1. Silver ions have bactericidal properties. That’s why wealthy people used to eat and drink from dishes made of silver—after all, it killed pathogenic microbes and disinfected water, thereby reducing the risk of infectious diseases. This is especially important for a baby - to protect him from disease.
2. Silver is a fairly soft decorative metal. Products made from it not only look beautiful, but their fairly soft structure will not harm the baby, even if he chews this spoon and plays with it.

Attention: if you plan to use a silver spoon as a cutlery and not as a souvenir, you must request a hygiene certificate for the product from the seller.

Who gives a spoon for the first tooth?

Previously, this was done exclusively by godparents. However, now “for the first tooth” the spoon is given by the one who first noticed it in the baby’s mouth. Also, such a gift to a child can be given by any person related to the child - uncle, aunt, grandmother, grandfather or family friends. And even the baby’s parents themselves.

A gift for life

In order for a silver spoon once given as a gift for the first tooth to be a talisman for life and, perhaps, passed on by inheritance, you need to be able to properly care for products made from this noble metal.

Dark deposits that form on the metal surface over time must be removed with special wipes. To add shine, you can use commercially available pastes.

If it is not possible to purchase ready-made substances to renew and restore shine, you can use improvised means. Baking soda is widely used for these purposes, but you should not clean silver with powder - this can lead to scratches on the surface of the spoon. It is better to use a soda solution, in which you need to soak clean items for several minutes, and then wipe and polish with a soft cloth.

You can use the “dry” method using tooth powder. However, you need to pay attention to the fact that it is finely ground: hard large particles can injure the polished surface. After cleaning, you need to rinse it well with warm water and rub it until shiny.

In addition, it is recommended to store the children's silver spoon separately from other cutlery made of stainless steel. This alloy is harder and can cause scratches on soft silver.

The appearance of a baby’s first tooth is an important event in the life of not only the child himself, but also the entire family, close relatives and friends. To make a worthy, useful gift in connection with this day, buy a silver spoon for your child’s first tooth in Ali Askerov’s Caucasus-souvenir online store.

Why do people give a silver spoon at christenings?

There are several opinions why such a gift is given at baptism.

• A tribute to tradition. The custom of giving a silver spoon has existed for a long time, several centuries. Many families do not want to deviate from it, but in Christian families this tradition is strictly followed.
• Talisman for future life. It is believed that such a gift will attract prosperity and good luck into the baby’s life. Sometimes a donated spoon is simply kept at home, and sometimes it is immediately placed in a crib so that it does not disturb the baby. The spoon should lie in the crib until complementary feeding begins, then it is taken out and used as a cutlery for feeding the baby.
• Taking care of your health. Silver has antibacterial properties and is used to treat and prevent many health problems. In particular, water infused with silver is used to treat wounds and burns, rinse the mouth and rinse the nose. A silver spoon is given to a baby to protect him from inflammatory lesions in the oral cavity and caries. It is believed that feeding with such a spoon will be a preventive measure.
• Feeding safety. Before the first feeding, children usually eat only their mother's milk - this is sterile food, absolutely safe for a growing body. When the time comes to get acquainted with ordinary products, they try to protect the child from germs: the products are thermally treated, the dishes are sterilized. A silver spoon is safe in this regard - the bactericidal properties of the metal have been known for a long time, it is even used to purify water from pathogenic bacteria.

A silver spoon for the first tooth - what kind of tradition is this?

The custom of giving the first tooth a silver spoon has existed in Russia for a long time. The gift is given as a sign that the child has matured and it is time for him to switch from breast milk to another food. Teeth usually come out within 6 months, which coincides with the start of complementary feeding.

Silver in Russia was not available to everyone, so spoons made from it were distributed to wealthy families. Traditionally, it was important to tap the crumbs on your teeth three times for good luck. Modern dentists see no reason why this should be done and do not recommend it. The baby's gums are swollen and painful during the rash. Don't hurt them anymore.

Why is there a tradition of giving a silver spoon rather than gold or other material? For a long time, silver was considered a metal that protected against the evil eye, promising prosperity and well-being in the home. It is believed that it contains special and healing energy, and it will help the child grow healthy and happy, easily overcoming difficulties.

Believe it or not, everyone decides for themselves. However, if wealth allows, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of giving such a gift to relatives or friends who have children. Modern scientists have proven the positive effect of silver on humans. It is a natural antiseptic that can fight up to 700 pathogens. A beautiful spoon will be a pleasant surprise, allowing you to preserve the memory of the donor for a long time.

What does this gift symbolize?

The meaning of the gift from the point of view of the Orthodox religion lies in the identification of the baby with Christ. After the birth of Jesus, the wise men brought him gifts, including precious metals. The silver spoon represents the child’s involvement in the church and the protection of higher powers throughout his life’s journey.

In many cultures that developed even before the birth of world religions, silver was filled with sacred meaning. People noticed that it was capable of disinfecting water, and the metal was used in various rituals and medicine.

In this regard, legends arose saying that this material is capable of driving away evil spirits. Even in modern literature and cinema, heroes often resort to making silver weapons to defeat otherworldly creatures.

That is, from a mystical point of view, products made from this metal are a kind of amulets for a child. It is believed that for some time after birth he is under the protection of his mother, but as he grows up he becomes increasingly susceptible to the influence of evil forces.

In esotericism, silver also has a special meaning. It is believed that this material is pure and filled with light energy by default. Products made from it are capable of taking on all the negativity. So some parents give their child a silver spoon in the hope that the product will protect him from energetic influences.

And finally, material value. This tradition originated at a time when the purchase of products made from this metal was significant for ordinary people. At the same time, representatives of noble aristocratic families used silver utensils on a daily basis.

Giving a child such a spoon means bringing him closer to wealth and success. Do not forget that such a product could become the beginning of the baby’s future capital, his first valuable property.

There is a saying “born with a silver spoon in your mouth.” It means that the child was provided for from an early age.

How to choose?

You can buy a silver spoon for your baby’s first tooth in a church shop or in a jewelry store. The range of such products is quite large, so many parents, godparents and relatives have difficulty purchasing. When choosing a product, you need to consider what it will be used for.

If you plan to use it in the future for the first complementary feeding, then you should choose a coffee spoon no more than 13 cm in length.

The tea cutlery is suitable for the time when the baby grows up and can eat on his own. Such a product must have a length of up to 16 cm. If you plan to use a silver spoon for its intended purpose (for eating food), then you need to ask for a quality certificate for the product.

It is important to make sure that the device is suitable for feeding. You also need to pay attention to the coating material of the product. It happens that the device is treated with a composition that is harmful to children and adults. It is not recommended to buy a spoon coated with varnish, gold or rhodium. The varnish is harmful, it is more suitable for souvenirs and rare items.

Gold reduces the beneficial qualities of silver. Rhodium blocks the metal's ability to destroy pathogenic bacteria. It is necessary to choose the correct shape of the spoon handle. It should be comfortable for the baby to hold the product. A handle that is too wide and curly is not suitable. It is better to choose a rectangular shape.

Silver spoon with angel and date of birth

If a silver spoon will be used as a talisman or a family heirloom, then you should pay attention to its appearance. It is better to choose products with decor. You can order the name and date of birth of the baby, wishes of happiness and health, to be engraved on the cutlery.

You should choose a product from trusted manufacturers. The high quality of the product is confirmed by the 999 sample and documented. Baby spoons should not have sharp edges or strongly protruding decorative elements. It is important that the surface is well polished.

When choosing a gift, it is necessary to take into account the gender of the baby. For example, boys should buy cutlery with an image of an angel, stars or a bear. If you plan to present the product for a christening, it is better to put a drawing of a chapel or saints on it.

Spoons for girls are usually decorated with hearts, butterflies, and flowers. If this is a church attribute, then it may contain a cross, an image of the Virgin Mary.

The designs are applied with enamel and decorated with small stones (artificial or precious). The cost of silver spoons in jewelry stores and church shops varies between 3170-9220 rubles. The price depends on the size and decor of the product.

How to store a souvenir spoon?

Silver cutlery needs care, otherwise it will tarnish and lose its spectacular appearance. The spoon must be cleaned periodically:

• Keep the clean spoon dry. Storing in a velvet case will protect the color and shine. In any case, it must be placed separately from other cutlery.
• If there is no special liquid for caring for silver, you can use a soap solution. In this case, the washing water should be at medium temperature, and the final rinse should be cold water. It is important to dry the souvenir spoon immediately.
• The silver spoon darkens when you feed your baby frequently. This is natural because silver comes into contact with food, resulting in the formation of silver sulfide. To restore the original appearance, cutlery should be boiled in a soda solution for several minutes. The liquid must be prepared in the following proportions: one tablespoon of soda per liter of purified water.
• During maintenance, use special cleaning products containing mild silver that do not come into contact with the metal and cannot change its appearance. It is important to avoid the use of brushes, sponges, and traditional detergents. The device must be washed and dried with a soft cloth.

The main feature of a gift for the first tooth is that it helps maintain the baby’s health. His future well-being depends on how much he grows.

Is it possible to give a spoon with engraving, gold elements, and colored inserts for a christening?

• Gilding is allowed only on those parts of the spoon that will not come into contact with the child’s mouth. If the top of the handle is decorated with gold, that’s great, but if the entire surface of the device is covered with a layer of gold, it’s better to choose another model.
• Engraving is permitted. The spoon is marked with the child's name, date and time of birth. Upon request, good wishes from relatives and parting words from godparents can be engraved. Traditionally, Christian symbols and apostles are depicted on spoons.
• Colored inserts on handles are acceptable. They will not harm the baby, but will attract his attention and add elements of play to the eating process. Silver spoons are usually decorated with colored enamel.

A silver spoon given as a christening gift is usually kept in the family for many years. Sometimes the spoon is passed on to children and grandchildren, so it becomes a family heirloom. This tradition has been observed for several centuries and will probably remain important for many more centuries - the spiritual component of the people is reflected in good customs.

Give children silver spoons for christening! Let this gift symbolize the beginning of his healthy, prosperous and long life!

Video on the topic

Why do they give a silver spoon for christenings and for the first tooth?

Thus, a spoon for the first tooth is given to the baby for happiness, good luck and health. It is believed that if you tap such a product on an emerging tooth, further eruption will be quick and painless.

It is also customary to give a silver spoon for discharge from the hospital, christening, or birthday. There are many reasons for such a present. It is important to buy high-quality products that are safe for children. To do this, you should contact trusted stores and know the criteria for choosing such a product.