Etiquette for a baptism

[Floweryfields]

Baptisms are usually performed at a normal church service so expect to have to sit through all that before the actual Christening starts.

Not always - most recent one I went to was just a baptism and nothing else and I've been to several like that.

[Taryn]

I suggest staying away from a money box. Evie got 6 silver money boxes for her christening! She got some nice shoes from 'seed' which were gorgeous. And also some jewelry xo

[OceanPrincess]

Sometimes the baptism part comes at the start of the service... just to mix things up

If it is part of a standard service (the time might be an indication of that - if it is relatively early on a Sunday morning, probably is part of the service as most churches run their standard Sunday service in the morning), don't feel you have to do what the congregation does, ie singing or communion, but likewise, if you want to participate, go for it. There will probably be someone leading the service who says things like "Please stand and sing" and there will be a song book or words displayed somewhere if you feel like participating.

So it could be an hour or longer if it is part of a standard service.

As for gifts - we received a gorgeous children's bible for DD's christening, but the story book ideas might be a better route JIC someone else goes a bible! Have a look at Word or Koorong online (Christian bookshops) - they might even have a "gift idea" section.

[surprised]

Have fun! Don't feel that you need to put anything in the collection plate... Visitors to churches should never feel as though it's expected. I wouldn't go crazy on a gift either. A nice ornament, book or toy would be totally adequate. Or even a CD of kid's music.

[HotI]

gifts with the child's name on are nice- a mirror, brush, cup, stickers, towel