Some friends of ours are having their little girl christened in a couple of weeks time. But, neither of us have ever actually been to a christening so have no idea what the protocol is. I imagine the dress code is your 'Sunday best', but don't know for sure. Also, is it customary to bring a gift for the child? Is there anything else we should be aware of?
We went to our first christening only last month and I was a bit worried too!! It was held during the normal Sunday service at a church in a high profile suburb so we wore quite dressy clothes. Both DD's in summer dresses (it was a hot day) and I wore black dress pants, high heels and a satin short sleeve blouse. DH wore a check shirt and chinos. We were over dressed!! A lot of the usual church goers were in jeans and t-shirts! The Christening 'crowd' were in a mix of dresses, jeans and slacks. We were pretty dressed up compared to most. So I'd go sort of half way with the clothes, not jeans but nothing too fancy.
As for a present, we bought a typical Christening present from a gift shop. It was a silver photo frame with the photo insert on one side then the birth details (name, date, weight and length) on the other side where you get the child's details engraved.
We didn't intend to spend a fortune on the pressie so we left the engraving for the parents to do. I loved the frame so much though that I bought one for each of my girls and got them engraved!
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).
FWIW: we *gave* our Godson a very nice teddy bear, a keepsake box, an outfit or baby blanket and I think something else ... a boy's baby bracelet, or a big toy car for when he's older perhaps? And we also gave his older siblings small things: colouring books and crayons, a DVD ("The Land Before Time" - had wanted to give them Veggietales, but couldn't get my hands on any in time!) and that sort of thing. But that was quite different, because (as previously stated) we were the godparents, and also because they were a 4 hour flight away, and we see them extremely rarely - so it was prezzie time as far as we were concerned!! Spoil them, and then dash back home, right?
Other times we have given a small gift for baby and mumma at the baby shower, and then the main gift when the child has arrived, and a card for the christening/baptism/dedication.
Presents we have been given for our boys have included photo albums, fancy photoframes, ornaments (pewter shoes, ceramic cherubs, ornamental glass certificate frames, etc), clothes (particularly hand made things which are always lovely, or other special things, like a perfect little merino wool jumper) and toys - from hand made teddies to wooden clocks and monster trucks. A big variety!
I guess it depends on the friend also, and what their own style is. There are some friends who I would never give the ornamental type things or keepsake boxes and certificate holders to - because I'm sure they will end up being regifted or found in the bottom of a box the next time they move house ... whereas other friends would love them. Hopefully you'll have an idea of what their taste and style is - and also whether they're at all likely to be offended if you don't bring a gift, or embarassed if you do
If in doubt, you really can't go wrong with something simple, useful, but not overdone - like an embroidered hooded towel, or a money box (like Ocean mentioned) or even a lullaby or classical music CD if they play music to them at night ...
Personally, I really love those willow tree figurines, but I tend not to give them as lots of my friends don't like them ... but people who know me well give them to me, after checking with DH whether I already have the one they're looking at But there are some lovely child focussed ones in that range, too.
I go dressy and gift. But then I always take the hat opportunity in Church and I go every week! I don't do expensive designer dress for Christenings, but a nice dress appropriate to the season that doesn't look too much. For the gift, usually just a small something like a Christian book or an inexpensive pretty. Unless I were godmother, in which case I wear my fairy wings and wand and do a big gift.
Thanks for filling me in lovely ladies! where would I be without you guys? So I am thinking I'll get a gift, probably a nice little money box or keep sake type thing. The little girl is 20 months, so I think our baby pressies are a bit outdated now LOL and they're also really good friends of ours so I don't mind spending a little bit. Still not sure what to wear though. Still not sure what I'm going to wear, think I'll have to check with my friend. Thanks again.
Christening protocol...
Reply With QuoteThe Christening 'crowd' were in a mix of dresses, jeans and slacks. We were pretty dressed up compared to most. So I'd go sort of half way with the clothes, not jeans but nothing too fancy.
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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