Planning a christening/ baptism on a budget

Laura_D_3

We are planning out first childs christening for the end of October. He will have just turned one so we're not doing a birthday party as well. We have invited 103 adults and 31 children!!! Yikes :eek: I don't expect all will say yes and guessing a figure of around 80

I have done the invites (picmonkey'd 12 pictures one from each month of his first year, and one of him landing in a basket 'from god' in the centre) - they have all now gone out.

I have bought this knitting pattern from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320910725736?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 for my mum to make his outfit


The hall is booked and we are paying for them to do teas/ coffees so that people feel looking after.

But now as I'm in my final month of maternity leave and no pay we're skint and so I need to discover how to to do the rest on a budget. Any thoughts/ suggestions for;

* Buffet/ afternoon tea (the christening is at 2.30pm)
* Decor (the village hall is beautiful already - but should look like we've made an effort)
* Where to get catering supplies - muffin cases, plastic shot glasses for jelly etc...
* Entertainment for the kiddies
* Godmother presents (we've got the godfathers - godfather mugs)
* Anything I've forgotten....

Sewing, baking, general craftiness is fine as long as I can do it in enough advance

marris

i just got my son christened. he is 2. so we had birthday and christening together too. u r having a big party. we had about 40 all in.
presents for God parents -- i got photo frames http://www.amazon.co.uk/Godmother-Photo-Frame-Silver-colour/dp/B001JT83F0/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1347441146&sr=8-15 and put a photo in.
i bought confetti http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shower-My-Baby-365790AMS-C-Christening/dp/B002YE4H36/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A2XEYAD0SQROZ9

and banners on amazon too. but u may find cheaper in shops.
i made a buffet £80 ( incl smokedsalmon and prawns sarnies , fish goujons). we were allowed to bring a few bootles of champagne for a Toast.got wine glasses in Poundland.
had DJ £100 12-6
and i made this cake http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2303680/chocolate-owl-cake
was ok
i think we spent around £300 ( incl christening outfit and shoes http://www.amazon.co.uk/Froddo-Toddler-111042-White-111042-4/dp/B0079EJIZS/ref=sr_1_31?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1347441552&sr=1-31
all the best

Laura_D_3

Thanks Marris we may be having a big party - but boy do you know how to do it a DJ how fabulous I'm going to avoid the confetti as unfortunately my gorgeous son thinks anything put in front of him is to be eaten - whoops (it was part of his nappy the other day - luckily a clean one ) I didn't realise there was so much choice on godparent presents x

Chris25

Laura_D wrote: »

I need to discover how to to do the rest on a budget. Any thoughts/ suggestions for;

* Buffet/ afternoon tea (the christening is at 2.30pm)
* Decor (the village hall is beautiful already - but should look like we've made an effort)
*

If the hall is pretty & you want something simple, what about something like this?



these are cotton doilies but you can get paper ones from Pounland (something like 60 in a pack) and either cut them in half to make them go further or fold them over for ease of assembly. You could use blue bias binding or knitting wool to make them more 'boy-colour' themed.

Laura_D_3

They are fab Chris - my mum made us beautiful bunting (lots of) when we got married I'm torn between using that and thinking that it may not go with the more - blue boy theme I was going for. But then we could always alter the theme to incorporate and then its nice that he can use our wedding bunting

Chris25

Laura_D wrote: »

They are fab Chris - my mum made us beautiful bunting (lots of) when we got married I'm torn between using that and thinking that it may not go with the more - blue boy theme I was going for. But then we could always alter the theme to incorporate and then its nice that he can use our wedding bunting

I think that's a lovely idea - & as you say, you can always add a few blue or baby bits onto it

onriebaby

Heres a couple of cheap decoration ideas from pinterest
http://pinterest.com/pin/132363676518227881/
http://pinterest.com/pin/305470787194756480/
http://pinterest.com/pin/305470787194753804/
http://pinterest.com/pin/305470787194752423/
http://pinterest.com/pin/305470787194752438/