What to do for christening? Advice please

callmesexy

Hi

Not sure if this is in the right place so apologies if not!

Was looking a little bit of advice really. Im pregnant with my 1st child & baby is due in 3 weeks. We have arranged to get the baby christened on 8th January and drew up a list of people to invite.

With the bare minimum people being invited, there will be about 20. We struggle for money quite a bit so are wondering what to do after the christening. We cant have people around to our house as it is tiny and wouldnt fit more than a couple of people in each room so thats out.

We were thinking a buffet or something in a hall but dont want to look tight either as some people will be travelling for over an hour to get to the christening but just cant afford a sit down meal for everyone.

There have been a few family weddings this year we have went to on my partners side and they had quite fancy weddings and receptions so am worried about what it will look like when we cant afford much.

Has anyone any advice of what we could do after the christening on a budget? Thanks in advance!

x

Ginger_Poodle

Hello

I have, honestly, never been to a Christening with a sit down meal! Perhaps I am not the norm, but I really wouldnt expect one. Standard to me is a light buffet and a few drinks afterwards, usually at a parent/grandparents house.

Babies cost enough...dont struggle to lay on something posh for other people!

Nicki

Are you regular church goers? If so, would your church not let you "entertain" your guests afterwards in either the main body of the church, or the church hall if you are lucky enough to have one FOC? That is certainly the norm at my church. You could then organise your catering in line with what facilities the church has to prepare and serve food.

As for the fancy wedding receptions these are completely irrelevant. A christening is a much less formal occasion than a wedding, and most people will just do a meal at home afterwards for their invited guests. There isn't that whole competitive shindig over discos, floral arrangments, free v paid bars etc thing that you get at weddings.

Well done you though for being so organised to have it all planned before the baby arrives. Mine weren't baptised until they were at least 7 or 8 months old and I only planned the ceremony a few weeks beforehand each time!

BitterAndTwisted

Arrange whatever you can easily afford. A christening is a religious and spiritual commitment not an excuse for a lavish blow-out. Not having a huge budget does not necessarily make people look tight. I would say that it demonstrates prudence.

newcook

would you be able to have it at either of your parents houses as you dont have the room?

or is there a local pub that would let you have a little corner where you can set up a buffet?

pinkduvetdiva

My goddaughter's christening after-party was held at her dad's parents' house, and they just laid on a buffet. I've never heard of having a sit down meal at a christening either. Good luck with everything!

QueenieB

We've always hired the village hall and had soup and sandwiches followed by cake. Relatives and godparents have always helped out,and we've never spent heaps of money. Everyone will be too busy admiring the baby to think about how much you've spent.

pimento

I'd be too superstitious to arrange anything before the baby is born.

borokat

If the church has got a hall, then that is the ideal place to hold a small party afterwards. Tea/coffee/juice straight after, maybe a couple of cheap bottles of fizz for a toast later one. For the buffet - get baking! Quiches, scones, sausage rolls etc can all be made quite cheap and will taste nicer than cheap shop bought equivalent. Have a word with friends/family who are good cooks - ask as a favour for people to make a particular cake they are known for for example. It really doesn't have to cost much and I don't think you are under any obligation to provide a sit-down meal. People save for years to pay for weddings christenings are not like that at all!

stiltwalker

Had DS's christening last Sunday and did roast pork and stuffing butties for everyone afterwards. It was a bone in knuckle end leg of pork from butcher so was less than 20 quid. Timed it to turn oven off bfore we left for church so would be rested and ready to go when we got back. Was simple, tasty and well appreciated by our guests. Had the do at home as we now have a big enough place but when DD was done a couple of years back we went to the church hall as we lived in a tiny place then and that cost £20 for the hire. Don't worry about doing anything fancy, it's a family occasion and the spiritual aspect should really be the important bit not the material. We had some far flung guests to BIL and family had a 4 hour journey home although they had been up all week , my parents made a 100 mile round trip and another guest has come from nearly an hour away.

gratefulforhelp_2

Given the Baptism is so soon after the babe is to be born, I would consider again if you will want to do it then?

If yes, what about a glass of wine/OJ and canapes at your place? 20 people could mill about even a studio flat for half an hour ok.

eta I'm procrastinating the arrangement of DS's baptism since one person in particular will try to destroy the real purpose of the event...