Silver is often given to babies. This is a long-standing custom that has taken root in different countries of the world, including Russia. It was customary to bring a silver spoon as a gift to a baby at a baby’s “teeth” or birth or christening.
Some believed that a silver spoon given as a gift would bring prosperity and wealth, others believed that it should be lightly tapped on the tooth, and then the rest would grow up healthy and strong, and others were sure that silver would help protect the baby from evil spirits.
Nowadays, a silver spoon is given to children according to tradition, and few people know where this custom came from and why such a gift is needed. Let’s figure out why you should give a silver spoon for a “tooth” and how to choose one for a baby.
Why and why do they give a silver spoon for the first tooth?
There is an opinion that this tradition first originated in England, and then migrated to Russia. It is believed that a silver gift attracts favor from fate. Moreover, there are definitely reasons to believe in this.
If, when teething, you lightly tap on it with a silver device and wish the baby to grow up healthy and prosperous, it is believed that this will definitely come true, and the spoon itself will become a real talisman for the baby. In addition, such a valuable gift will remain as a memory for many years. After all, money is spent, clothes will outgrow, toys will become a thing of the past, but such a gift will last for many years.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Keep a clean spoon in a dry place.
The appearance of a baby's first baby tooth is an important event for the whole family, because it means that a new stage of his development begins. All parents dream that their child’s life will be happy, harmonious, successful and prosperous; for this, a number of traditions have been followed since ancient times. One of the most beautiful and popular customs today is presenting a silver spoon to a baby “for his first tooth.” Where did such a tradition come from, who can give a child such a precious surprise, and how to choose the right spoon - all this is worth talking about in detail.
How much does a silver spoon cost, price
Knowing about the healing properties of this metal, it has become popular to give newborns a spoon made of silver. In Tsarist Russia, from the first days of life, children were given a silver present, which accompanied them throughout their entire journey of growing up. Usually it was a coffee spoon so that the child could easily put it in his mouth.
On the first day of school, the gift was already larger - a dessert spoon, and at the end, for graduation - a dining room. Children who received a gift from this noble metal were successful in all their endeavors. Prices for such cutlery vary.
What does the cost depend on:
- from metal sample;
- on the size of the device;
- from exclusive execution (engraving, insertion of precious stones, decoration);
- from the price category on the silver exchange.
The higher the standard, the higher the price, because there is more metal in the alloy. The best option for a tableware is 875 standard. Compared, for example, with 830 sample, alloy 875 oxidizes less in air, that is, the metal darkens less.
Silver spoons can be decorated as desired. You can buy a simple one, then engrave it or order your own design. Also, when doing handmade work, silver is often combined with gold or bright enamel.
Interesting!
When darkening, a silver spoon can be easily cleaned with chalk or soda!
In terms of price category, tableware ranges from 1800 rubles and above. All this depends on what and how the product is made.
Caring for a silver spoon
As with any other silverware, a dark coating may appear on the spoon. The process is accelerated by regular contact with juices and food. You can clean it with a special solution or cloth. They are purchased at jewelry stores. If the product has gilding or enamel, then it is better to rub it with a soft cloth without aggressive agents.
Store a silver spoon separately from stainless steel cutlery. Steel is harder than silver and may scratch the product. It is better to keep the spoon in a special case with soft padding inside. After each use, the product is cleaned and wiped dry.
Who buys a silver personalized spoon for the first tooth?
The pleasant and useful tradition of a personalized gift allows you to bring a lot of benefits to your baby. Relatives and friends can give gifts. More often it is a godfather or godmother. Often grandparents prepare a gift for their beloved grandson or granddaughter in advance.
If previously it was believed that those who baptized should give gifts, today this is permissible for any relative. The main thing is to choose the right gift. For example, for a girl they buy a device with openwork weaving, butterflies, and bows. For boys, you can choose ones with images of stars and bears.
Gift rules
Today, not everyone remembers the essence of the tradition, so the rules for its offering have been violated. Initially, several conditions had to be met, one of which was the obligatory light tapping of the baby’s tooth with a spoon. At the same time, it was necessary to wish that all other teeth were as even and strong as the first one that appeared. Tradition claims that all good wishes expressed when giving a silver spoon will definitely come true.
When to give
Today, many people save a silver spoon for a baby at the time of baptism or for the first anniversary of birth. However, initially the date of its appearance coincided precisely with the appearance of the first tooth and was not associated with any other, even very significant events in his life.
Who should give
Not everyone knows who gives the silver spoon. Signs require that it be received from the one who first notices the appearance of a tooth. It is rare when it turns out to be a stranger or even one of the relatives. As a rule, this is mother or father. But in fact, the silver spoon for children today is presented by grandparents, close relatives, and godparents. It is the latter, according to belief, that fill the gift with spiritual power.
Which spoon is better to choose
If you decide to give your baby a silver spoon, it makes sense to match it with the meaning of the event, as well as the gender of the child. When a gift is presented for baptism, it is better to choose a silver Kubachi “Angel” spoon that matches the theme of what is happening. Graceful, decorated with ornaments and a figurine of an angel, it is perfect as the best souvenir that brings good luck to a godson or goddaughter.
What to give to a girl and a boy
You can easily choose a silver spoon as a gift for your baby in the Kavkaz-souvenir online store. The site presents children's silver spoons for the first tooth, decorated with various figures: a flower, a nesting doll, a stork, a kitten, a squirrel, a fish, a bear cub and other funny little animals.
For a boy, spoons with images of a king, a train, a boat, a bear, a hedgehog, Tom the cat, cartoon and fairy-tale characters are more suitable.
All products are made of the highest standard silver and are stamped by the State Assay Chamber of the Russian Federation, which confirms the high quality of the metal used and workmanship. They were made with love and care for children by the best Kubachi craftsmen.
The parameters of the spoon correspond to the age and physiological characteristics of the baby, who will first take food with the help of mom or dad, and later will learn to eat independently: its size is optimal, weight - from 11.5 g to 13.5 g. Such a table tool will be convenient and not heavy, it is easy for the baby to hold it in his hands.
All children's silver spoons presented in the catalog of Ali Askerov's online store have exceptional polishing and fully comply with quality and safety requirements.
Believe signs or check
Although this is the 21st century, people have not forgotten their traditions and have largely changed them in accordance with the modern way of life. Signs regarding the appearance of the first tooth still exist, although not everyone knows them. Believing in them or not is everyone’s business, but our ancestors believed that:
- the early appearance of teeth was supposed to set the family up for the imminent birth of the next child;
- if teeth are cut late, it means that a child endowed with extraordinary talents will grow up in the family;
- a capricious character in the future predicted a long and painful appearance of teeth.
Who gives a silver spoon for a boy's first tooth?
There is an opinion that the first person to give cutlery is the one who notices the teething of a tooth. Often this is a grandmother or grandfather. Many parents prefer to choose a present for their baby themselves. Previously, godparents were at the origins of such a gift. That is, it was the godfather who chose the spoon for the boy.
Today, many parents prefer to hear the child’s opinion when he grows up, because not everyone wants to be baptized. Of course, this all depends on the individual. After all, the rite of baptism is a serious step. Therefore, they wait for the child to grow up and make a choice on his own.
Maternity hospital “teethers”
It also rarely happens that children are born with teeth. Different nations have radically different views on this matter. In medieval Europe, such an event meant only one thing (like many others, especially related to any everyday joys) - the child is a fiend of hell, the heavens are angry when looking at him and he is absolutely forbidden to live. Therefore, such children were often simply put to death.
But not every region of the world was marked by such barbarity. There were also nations in which such a special child aroused joy and admiration and was considered a great success for the parents. In fact, the only trouble it can cause is pain for the mother during breastfeeding.
Who should give a silver spoon for a girl's first tooth?
It has long been believed that the godmother selects a gift for a girl. She chooses a silver device with Orthodox symbols and gives it as a christening gift. Today the tradition has changed a little and it is permissible to give such a gift to any relative.
The main thing is that the gift is safe for the baby. The characteristics of the device should not raise any doubts, so you can ask what type of metal it is and what the silver spoon’s scoop is coated with. After all, manufacturers often use special coatings on such items so that tarnishing is less noticeable.
Interesting!
It is believed that no matter how many teeth (in a timely manner) a baby erupts before one year, the number of children there will be in this family!
A lot depends on the speed of cutting...if you believe the signs
Every caring mother notices how quickly her beloved child’s teeth grow. Several interesting beliefs and signs are also attributed to this fact, which, however, echo the previous ones.
If the teeth grow quickly, without much pain and do not cause noticeable discomfort to the baby, then he will be a good person with a fairly pleasant character, will be able to get along well with others and will easily find a mate. If the process slows down, then this indicates that the person may well grow up to be quite nasty, will love to quarrel and create scandals, and will not be able to normally find a common language with many others.
But young mothers who have seen similar behavior in their children should under no circumstances worry or despair. It is clear that all such stories exist simply for the sake of being; they cannot determine a person’s future. If beliefs are not on your side, then you certainly shouldn’t despair.
Why do you need a silver spoon for the first tooth?
The tradition of giving such an important gift for a baby goes back centuries. Starting from the 15th century, this custom was already popular in England. For his holiday, the child received not one, but 12 cutlery at once. Of course, only rich people could afford such a quantity. The less wealthy purchased one piece of cutlery.
According to a long-established tradition, such a gift brings happiness to the baby. There is a legend that a silver device given for the first tooth will bring good health and prosperity to the child. After all, the tradition originated during the Old Russian state. Even then, everyone knew about the unique properties of the precious metal. Silver was used to purify water.
It was known that a silver coin immersed in a vessel with liquid would improve the taste and disinfect the water. In other words, silver acts as an antiseptic. Also, according to a long-known tradition, a silver cross is an excellent amulet and protects against evil spirits and envy. Therefore, a gift spoon made of this noble metal for a baby will not only be his talisman, but also reliable protection against germs.
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.
Signs associated with a silver spoon on the first tooth
Spoons began to appear in people's everyday life much earlier than, for example, forks. The ancient Greeks used seashells. The Egyptians made instruments from stone, wood or ivory. Archaeological excavations prove this. Later, silver cutlery appeared and began to enjoy enormous popularity, especially since the metal has a number of unique properties. Valuable gifts began to be given to babies when their first teeth appeared.
Over time, people developed signs that could tell about the child’s future:
- It has long been believed that if a baby’s first tooth erupts ahead of schedule, it means that the family will soon have a second baby;
- if a tooth appeared later than expected, it foreshadowed that the couple would not have any more children, but this child would achieve great success in life;
- if a baby develops a gap as his front teeth grow, he will be popular with the opposite sex;
- with quick and painless eruption of baby teeth, the child will grow up kind, and his future marriage will be happy;
- a protracted and painful process of teething indicates that the baby’s character will be capricious.
There are many signs that we know. However, dentists say that the growth of the first teeth largely depends on physiological characteristics, so you should not make sudden conclusions. The speed of eruption is largely influenced by genetic factors, as well as nutrition. But be that as it may, the signs tell us a lot of interesting and educational things.
TOP 20 practical gifts
A child’s new tooth is a reason to give the following practical gifts:
- Children's swimming pool.
- Baby monitor.
- Electric clothes dryer.
- White noise generator.
- Toy basket. You can give a boy a car, and a girl a castle.
- Infrared thermometer. Helps you quickly and accurately measure temperature.
- Scales.
- Bottle sterilizer.
- Nebulizer. Useful for treating respiratory diseases.
- Yogurt maker. You can use it to prepare not only homemade yogurt, but also cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream.
- Humidifier.
- Video baby monitor.
- Bracelet thermometer.
- Nasal aspirator.
- Air ionizer.
- Multicooker.
- Modeling mixture.
- Bicycle with a handle for riding.
- A robot vacuum cleaner that will help keep your home clean.
- Gift certificate to a children's store.
Is it possible to store baby teeth?
There is nothing wrong with storing your child's lost teeth. There is a custom according to which relatives are obliged to keep all the lost teeth of a person until death in order to bury them with him. People believed that the soul would not find peace in the afterlife until it found all its teeth left in this world. It is easier to destroy lost teeth, but you can also store them.
Many sentimental mothers love a beautiful box where they put the tag from the maternity hospital, the first cut strand and the baby’s baby teeth. There is no mystical background to such a collection; this is just one way to capture your child’s infancy and childhood.
