Baby Christening - talk me through it please

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Hidy ho neighboureenos,

I have a big one for you all, Christenings .... no biggy for some but not only have I never been christened I have never been to a christening.

DH and I have spoken very briefly to his church minister but she wasn't terribly helpful for the stuff I need to know so I am turning to you all for help.

What do I need to do for it? whats the etiquette for it in regards to invites etc? do you need to do thank you things for it ? supper etc. Does DD need a special dress? Who else aside from us and the minister needs to be involved??

Any ideas etc welcomed

Nae x

Ours wasn't too big a thing, organised at day with the church they had a practice run a couple weeks prior just to show the run thru. They were very laid back.

After we had the date I sent out christening invites, asked people round to our place for a BBQ afterwards. You don't have to do anythng big, could have finger food or something easy.

For the day I did buy DD a pretty dress but you don't have to, the other child also being christened just wore ordianary clothes.

The church doesn't charge but often ask for a donation, from what I got from another thread the average seemed to be $100 to $150.

You need to organise godparents. Our church requested godparents to be people that had been christened as they want people who will help them with their faith.

Hi NaeNae

When my neices had their baptism there was several bubs being done on the same day. All were dressed in gorgeous white gowns and booties, so not sure if us catholics are different wrt to the outfits? Do you know anyone you could borrow a dress from?

My brother and SIL did it quite low key, immediate family only and we went back to theirs for lunch. Depends on how big you want to go really, I think favours are a bit much...but a few drinks and some food afterwards would be good I think.

a lot of it depends on the religion Nae. perhaps if you mention what religion (and add to the title) people will be able to help more. a catholic baptism (for instance) is significantly different to the dedications as some churches...

thank you gifts for guests aren't needed. some cultures (greek orthodox for instance) have gifts - but it really does come down to cultural choice

we had a biggish deal for DD - but after all we'd been through to get her here (which i'm sure you appreciate!) we used her baptism as a way of introducing her to a large number of people all at once, and celebrating her arrival. we had it as a stand alone service - mostly to fit in with people travelling here for a birthday the next day - the Priest was happy to do it on our time and at our local church (next door!) to accommodate this, although most baptism occur as part of the normal sat night/sun morning service at the main church (c'hill)

generally you have a meeting with someone from the church to ensure they have the details correct (baby, parents, god parents), and you may be asked to attend a normal service in the weeks leading up tot he christening to introduce your bubba to the church community if you're not already going to church regularly (this is what happened with us - as catholics - not sure about other religions)

Hi Nae!
Was at a Catholic christening today and we had Hugh's two weeks ago (Catholic) so can help you out if it is a Catholic one otherwise not! Let us know what religion.... (or is it more like David Beckham "Yes, we want our children christened, we just haven't decided on a religion" !!!)

lol trust me to forget THE most important detail (thanks BG:D) DH is Christian and so the christening will be at the local Anglican church. DH plays the piano at their family services several times a year and i do actually drag my butt to either the Korumburra location or the Poowong one for a Christmas Service.

I don't particularly like church or follow a religion, but the Christening is important to DH and we had Nikita done the day before she died so I need to know all the proper stuff and what will be expected of us inviting people.

Yeah BG i too would like to make a biggish deal for the same reason i think we will wait until she is 6 months as SIL is due in Feb and i don't want to put pressure on her to be out and about with a young baby and have to look after the farm too soon iykwim - she should have it down pat by 3 months.

Nae x

ok, can't help you much there as we did the catholic thing!

i guess the main thing is to check if there is an expectation of a white gown (most catholics have one) and any special "bits" - for our service, we needed a white candle with E's name on it and a white sash/stole. we got a traditional style "gown" - was a lot more exxy than most would buy, but it is one that will be handed down through the family now so i guess we were starting our tradition that way.

i hope you can get some answers soon hun.

i will say - earlier in her life was easier for us with how SHE responded. she had no fear of anything - SIL said that her eldest DD was easiest - she was youngest when baptised. i guess the less aware they are the easier it is kwim?

good luck with planning hun - most important thing though - don't let it stress you!! as much as you want the perfect introduction for your princess - people are there because they want to be there, not to judge what you've done and on what scale!

Yeah we are Anglican. You can re read my post earlier of what we did but you can always do what suits you. You can make it as big a thing or little as you feel.
Our church also had laminated handouts of the whole run thru so you knew what was happening who says what and when. Does your church have a quick run thru like ours did?
Also traditionally with Anglican church and godparents you often have 2 of the same sex and one of the other so as you have a daughter you'd have 2 godmothers and one godfather but you don't have to follow that its just sort of a traditional thing.