Your baby’s christening will be a day to remember for the years to come. Although many parents choose to christen their children for religious regions, it’s also a sacrament that helps prepare them for the future and start them on the path of life. As with any celebration, there is a great deal to plan leading up to the big day. Therefore, it’s wise to get prepared as soon as possible to ensure everything goes smoothly on the day.
Here are some of the best tips for planning your baby’s christening day that you may wish to make a note of:
- Book the church
Christenings are typically carried out in the church and, in most cases, need to be booked months in advance. This is because many vicars and priests require meetings with the child’s parents in the weeks beforehand to prepare them for the sacrament and understand what the ceremony will entail. You may also be able to choose hymns and readings if you have a private ceremony, as opposed to the sacrament taking place in a public service. Do bear in mind that there are different rules and regulations for each church, so it would be wise to do your research.
- Choose godparents wisely
You need to be sensible about who you would like to be your child’s godparents. It’s not a decision that should be made lightly as they will act as a lifelong support for your child and nurture them as they grow up. Therefore, it would be wise to choose two or three people who are dependable, trustworthy, and have good faith (if the latter is important to you). You could ask a few close friends or family members who you believe will be the best inspiration to your child.
- Buy your baby a gift
It’s tradition for parents to purchase a special gift for their child’s christening day. It can be difficult to know what to buy a newborn as a memento, but you may discover some great ideas by browsing birthday gifts for her, as many of these items can be personalized with an inscription of words you wish to express to your child.
- The after party
It’s an age-old tradition to throw a party after the christening for your guests to mingle and celebrate the occasion.
First, you’ll need to look into venues – this could be at your home, at a local village hall, or a function room – but ideally, it should be close to the church, so guests don’t have too far to travel. Check that it is also equipped with everything you need, e.g., seats, tables, and a DJ, or you may have to hire external services, which will ramp up the costs.
You may also wish to book catering for the number of guests in attendance. Buffets are typically common choices at christenings, as it’s typically a laid-back family event, so everyone can help themselves to whatever takes their fancy throughout the day.