Ok, I'm not usually one for posting OT threads, but being Jewish, I'm not really sure what the ettiquiette here is.

One of my best friends from college who I don't get to see very often invited me to her son's Christening. I am unable to go, but was wondering if I'm supposed to send a gift anyway. I love buying gifts for babies (everyone seems to be having them and the people at Babys R Us seem to know me by name because I'm there so often). But I'm not really sure if it's something you send a gift for if you can't attend.

Also, never having been invited to one before, what would an appropriate gift be? I'd prefer it to be non-religious. Someone mentioned a savings bond...

Thanks!
Emily