What do people expect Christening?

hev_2

I have just been trying to sort out DS christening.

I hope to book the hall for the Christening tonight. Spoken to the vicar, that's all sorted. Bought a cute little outfit from BHS (on sale!) for DS to wear - not a frock or gown, he'll be fourteen months. Choosing invites, sorting out maps.

Plan to ask for glass of wine/orange juice to be provided for a toast about 30 mins after DS has arrived at do. Catered for, and there is a bar. Cake ordered from Costco.

Me and DH have decided not to do decorations - apart from the fact that most of them would be really bad for DS if he got hold of them, we can't get to the venue in time to dress it. The service starts at 10.30 on Sun.

Will people be expecting loads of decorations etc? Is there anything else that I should do?

melancholly

if the service is on a sunday, that does that mean that the christening will be part of a 'normal' church service rather than a separate one? if so, i can't see that you would need to do anything about decorations (not that i think you need to do decorations anyway!). if it is in with a normal service, and you have any guests coming who aren't particularly familiar with how services in your church go (or indeed any church!), i bet it would be really appreciated if you tell them when they'd need to stand and whether there are any sung blessings that aren't in the order of service etc etc (things you only know if you go often!).

hev_2

Thank you melancholly.

I am a regular churchgoer and I have held out to make sure DS is christened because it is important to me. The church bit is important, the rest is just stuff I have to go through (a bit like when I got married, all those years ago :rolleyes:)

Yes, the christening is part of the service. It is a Church of England Church but very low church and informal. The vicar is really clear about what happens next, all the stuff is up on a projector and it is quite stranger friendly. It is not what people expect of CofE because it reaches out to those disadvantaged for one reason or the other. It is nothing like the Vicar of Dibley

I suppose what I am getting so stressed about is the 'do' afterwards. I will get grief, regardless, but I just want to try and cover all the obvious problems. I cannot see how sparkly christening confetti on the tables will make it a better day for DS or God, and I don't have a chance to put it out anyway.

System

Don't get stressed out. There is no reason to push the boat out for a christening. For both my daughters' we had an informal reception back at the house with no decorations, just a small buffet. In both cases they were christened as part of the normal Sunday service, an open invite was put out to the congregation to attend the house afterward but very few came because they believed that the church bit was for the family of Christ and the gathering in the house was purely for the immediate family & friends.

melancholly

i was baptised as an adult, so friends who came to church to support me hadn't been for years! they felt a bit awkward and i feel like i should have told them more about what to expect! i can't see the point of table confetti either - and anyone who has a problem with that is so clearly not worth worrying about, especially as you're doing this because you want to, since so many people do it for the sake of it, or to help get their children into a school!

hev_2

Thanks for your support.

If it was warmer I would risk the garden and an awning, but I know that far more are coming than my little house can hold. What is irritating is that a lot of them won't come to the church...

Well, some people won't care as long as there is love there and some will pick holes no matter what. I think I have covered all that I need to, and I really appreciate your support.

To sum up - church service, relocate to venue, catered, bar, cake from costco, invites and maps, drink for toast. That should be fine. If you think I have missed anything, please let me know.

funnyfreckle

Goodness - sounds like you are contending with my family!! It also sounds as though you are giving it a lot of thought and I'm sure it will go really well. Remember this day is for you and your DS so don't compromise on what is important to you. I agree with you that the church service is what it is all about . If some are being funny about not coming to the service but you want to encourage them along (understandably), could you say that you will be giving out maps to the venue at the church rather than popping them in the post?!

Are you expecting any families with children? If you are, could you perhaps think of taking along some things for them to do at the venue so they don't run riot?! I made up activity bags for a friend a few months ago for her son's dedication and would be happy to give suggestions for things to include if you are interested. If you don't want to do this how about just taking along some puzzles, books, games etc for a corner of the room depending on chidlrens' ages? If any children are happy and catered for then their parents' will be too.

I hope you have a wonderful day

hev_2

The children's idea is brilliant - there will be about half a dozen at most of all sorts of ages.

Rough guess, there will be one or two around the three/four age and two or three around the five/six age. Instinctively I thought - paper and crayons but I will check with the venue.

Bless you - that is a real life saver, thinking of the children. Any other suggestions about entertaining them would be great.

Of course, that is if people actually turn up and/or don't bring along sundry others :eek: I feel like I'm trying to nail fog sometimes.

hemc

hi I think you will be fine without decs if the hall is not to sparten or big but if you do want some asda have cheap banners and alsoa canister of helium for £17 which combined with a cheap pack of balloons on long curling ribbon makes cheap effective table/floor decs which the kids can have to play with later!
oh and I find rocket balloons a big hit with kids to keep them occupied!
c x

jojo68

Hi
When my DS had his I got some napkins and had his name, the event and the date printed on them. They were really cheap to get done and people didn't want to use them and wanted to take them home for a souvenir of the day.

Jo

sammiboo

When my OH goddaughter was baptised there was a church ceremony then went back to the grandparents for an informal garden party with a buffett, so the kids could play out etc. It was a very nice day and there wasnt any fuss and no one made any comments about it being a "cheap do"

I wouldnt worry too much about decorations and buffetts can be made cheaply and nice too