Browsing through the novel yet again, I came across the following:

In the scene where Michael stood Godfather to Connie's son, MP writes "he presented the boy with an extremely expensive gold wristwatch and band".

Now, the "boy" is an infant, right? I'm not Catholic, and therefore not too familiar with what would be usual in this situation, but it strikes me as odd that he would give a watch to an infant who probably wouldn't wear it for maybe 10 years or so.

Or would this be a common practice?

Hi P. Lawrence,

I can't speak for all Italians and/or Catholics, but can tell you that in both sides of my family, jewelry is a very common gift for an infant. Myself, I received a watch and a gold heart necklace from my Godparents, which of course I couldn't wear until I was older. At about 9 I received a gold watch from my other Godmother for my Confirmation. Granted, it was big, but I still have it to this day.

My youngest daughter received a beautiful gold bracelet with her birthstone on it. Don't know exactly how/why that started, but it's common, in my family anyway.


TIS