Lots of churches are more "smart casual" dress these days - you friend should be able to give you an idea of that Anything you'd wear to an engagement party should be ok - nice jeans or black pants with a nice top, or a simple dress or skirt, etc. Don't stress.
With presents, that's a little trickier as it seems to vary wildly depending on the guests!
With our boys' dedications though, I reckon about 30% of guests gave DS1 a gift, and maybe 10% gave DS2 a gift.
And of those, some were people who hadn't got around to giving him something either at the baby shower or when he was born - so it might have been more about the fact that they were seeing him, rather than it being a gift for his dedication per se.
The only time we gave a christening gift was for our godson.
We otherwise have just given a card with some special words written down for them.
I always take a gift, even something small like a little money box. Google "traditional christening gifts" - there should be lists somewhere. Some of the things our kids have received at their baptisms are the traditional gifts (photo frames, money boxes, commemorative christening gifts (Bevilles has heaps of these types of things), toys, my DD received a "children's bible" from her Godparents, one of our family friends gives the kids their name in wooden letters for the bedroom door... Books... anything goes really.
And for my church on Sundays we normally wear jeans and a nice top type attire. When I've been having my kids baptised, or being involved in a god-parent capacity, I wear nice clothes, but not for just being there for part of it.
Speaking of which, I've got one on Sunday - thanks for the reminder to get a present!
I'd wear neat casual, that is what we have always done and we haven't been over or under-dressed.
I think traditional christening gifts are things like children's bible or other books, puzzles, money box, bunnykins bowl and cutlery set, jewellery and jewellery box for DD, photo frame, clothes. Both my kids have been baptised but not all of our guests gave a gift (we specifically said we didn't need gifts). Most however did give something small. I think just get whatever you feel comfortable with!
I always get dressed up - usually something I'd wear out to a fancy restaurant or engagement party (usually a dress). DH will wear a shirt and dress pants but doesn't bother with a tie or jacket. We always buy a present too. Last christening we bought a lovely matching porcelain dinner set (in Paddington) b/c I figure alot would purchase the money boxes etc... DD got alot a jewellery however only my family was invited (DH family lives in QLD and no friends were invited).
Anything you'd wear to an engagement party should be ok - nice jeans or black pants with a nice top, or a simple dress or skirt, etc. Don't stress.
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