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You\u2019ve welcomed your baby into the world. Now it\u2019s time to welcome them into your <\/span>Christian faith<\/span>. Your <\/span>baby christening ceremony<\/span> will prepare your child to take <\/span>Christian sacrament<\/span>, and it will serve as your <\/span>baby dedication<\/span> to God.<\/span><\/p>\n So many important things happen in the space of this short ceremony \u2014 from your <\/span>baby\u2019s baptism<\/span> to their <\/span>Christian<\/span> naming ceremony<\/span> to the recognition of their <\/span>godparents<\/span>. A <\/span>baby christening<\/span> carries a lot of big moments in the life of your little one, and it\u2019s a big reason to celebrate. To help you with this important celebration, we\u2019ve put together this guide to planning and hosting the event.<\/span> Each <\/span>Christian<\/span> denomination<\/span> has slightly different <\/span>christening<\/span> traditions. If you\u2019re a member of the <\/span>Anglican church<\/span>, your child\u2019s ceremony will be different than if you\u2019re a member of the <\/span>Catholic church<\/span>. For instance, \u201c<\/span>christening\u201d<\/span> and \u201cbaptism\u201d are often used interchangeably, but some churches use the word \u201c<\/span>christening\u201d <\/span>for baptizing infants only. In either case, your steps for planning will be the same and will involve working closely with your clergy to plan your ceremony. Here\u2019s how to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n Recognizing your child\u2019s <\/span>godparents<\/span> \u2014 the people who will help your child navigate life and faith \u2014 is one of the most important elements of a <\/span>christening ceremony<\/span>. As such, before you plan your ceremony, be sure to choose <\/span>godparents<\/span> and confirm that they\u2019re able to take on this responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n Your child\u2019s <\/span>godmother<\/span> and godfather should be people you trust to give your child advice. During the ceremony, they will promise to help your child turn toward <\/span>Jesus Christ<\/span> as a guide throughout life and turn away from all things that go against God.<\/span><\/p>\n The Church of England<\/a><\/strong> recommends families choose at least three <\/span>godparents<\/span>, two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. The <\/span>Catholic church<\/span>, on the other hand, only requires one <\/span>godparent<\/span>, although families often choose two.<\/span><\/p>\n Your church may also require that your baby\u2019s <\/span>godparents<\/span> were <\/span>christened<\/span> and confirmed in that church. The exact requirements for <\/span>godparents<\/span> will depend on your <\/span>Christian<\/span> denomination<\/span>, so if you\u2019re not sure, ask your clergy leaders for guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n Your priest, pastor, or vicar will be your best resource as you plan your <\/span>baby christening<\/span>. You can turn to them anytime you have questions about the ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve chosen your baby\u2019s <\/span>godparents<\/span>, you\u2019re ready to sit down with your priest or pastor for more concrete planning. Your clergyman can tell you which dates <\/span>the church<\/span> is available for your ceremony. Typically, babies are <\/span>christened<\/span> between two and six months, but there isn\u2019t a strict timeline. Even <\/span>small children<\/span> can still be <\/span>christened<\/span>, so don\u2019t worry too much about getting an early date. Your <\/span>young child<\/span> can still be <\/span>christened<\/span> even if they\u2019re not a <\/span>newborn baby<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to setting a date, your pastor will let you know what else they need from you. They will likely ask for the names of your child\u2019s <\/span>godparents<\/span>, and they may ask if you want to choose a<\/span>\u00a0Bible verse about the sacrament of baptism<\/a><\/strong>. In some cases, you can ask a friend or <\/span>family member<\/span> to read a bible verse at the ceremony. In other cases, your priest or pastor will read it for you.<\/span><\/p>\n You may also be asked to choose a <\/span>new Christian name<\/span> for the <\/span>naming ceremony<\/span>. Some churches will <\/span>christen<\/span> your <\/span>newborn baby<\/span> with their legal name while others will ask you to choose a symbolic name based on a <\/span>Christian<\/span> saint or an angel that you would like your child to emulate. Again, this will depend on which <\/span>Christian church<\/span> you attend, and your priest or pastor can guide you through this part of the ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n As part of the planning process, your priest or pastor may also ask you how many guests will attend. If lighting a candle in your child\u2019s honor is part of the <\/span>christening ceremony<\/span> at your church, you may also need to choose which <\/span>family member<\/span> will light the candle.<\/span><\/p>\n Some churches will host your <\/span>baby christening<\/span> during Sunday mass while others will allow you to host it as a private event. And in some cases, your clergyman may even be willing to come to your home to perform the ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n Christening ceremonies<\/span> usually take place in <\/span>the church<\/span>, but in some cases, you may be able to host the ceremony in your home or in a natural setting like a public park. After the ceremony, most parents host a small party to celebrate the <\/span>special occasion<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Your church may have a community room where you can welcome your guests for food and non-alcoholic drinks after the ceremony. But you can also move the party to a different venue if you want to host a longer celebration or want to have a champagne toast.<\/span><\/p>\n You can ask guests to meet you at your home, a restaurant, or a public space for the second venue. Just make sure to include the addresses of both venues on your invitation with clear instructions on when to be at each location.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Lisa Travis<\/p><\/div>\n Once you\u2019ve decided on your time and place, you\u2019re ready to invite guests. Send out invitations with details on the <\/span>special day<\/span>, and if you\u2019re inviting guests of a different religion, include a little extra information so they know what to expect.<\/span><\/p>\n You may want to mention the dress code at your church or link to an article explaining <\/span>christening ceremonies<\/span> and etiquette. Follow these<\/span> tips for writing a baptism invitation<\/a><\/strong>, and you\u2019re sure to get your wording right.<\/span><\/p>\n Greenvelope lets you choose from dozens of beautiful<\/span> online christening<\/strong> invitations<\/strong><\/span><\/a> that you can send out to friends and loved ones in minutes. With digital invitations you can personalize the wording so even if you find an <\/span>infant baptism<\/span> invitation you love, you can update the wording to say \u201c<\/span>christening<\/span>\u201d instead of \u201cbaptism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n For the second part of your celebration, you\u2019ll invite friends and <\/span>family members<\/span> to your home for food and drinks. You don\u2019t need to serve a full meal \u2014<\/span>\u00a0finger food<\/strong><\/span><\/a> is a great way to feed a crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n If you host your post-<\/span>christening<\/span> celebration at your church, you likely won\u2019t be able to serve alcohol, but tea and coffee make an excellent alternative. If you host at home, you can offer a mimosa bar, a pre-batched cocktail, or a variety of soft drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n Since <\/span>christening ceremonies<\/span> typically happen during the day, a brunch party is also a great way to celebrate if you want to offer a more extensive meal.<\/span><\/p>\n During the <\/span>christening<\/span>, your baby will be the center of attention. In traditional congregations, you\u2019ll dress your baby for the occasion with a dramatic <\/span>christening gown<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n A <\/span>christening gown<\/span> is a long <\/span>white dress<\/span> that often features <\/span>tulle<\/span> or lace details. It\u2019s often paired with little white <\/span>booties<\/span> \u2014 although in many cases you won\u2019t be able to see the <\/span>booties<\/span> because the dress goes long past the baby’s feet. Although it\u2019s called a gown, this garment is appropriate for both <\/span>baby girls<\/span> and <\/span>baby boys<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n In less formal congregations, you can dress your baby however you\u2019d like. White is a traditional color of dress for the ceremony, but many modern churches allow all types of garments. You can dress your <\/span>baby girl<\/span> in a pretty pink <\/span>christening dress<\/span> or put your <\/span>baby boy<\/span> in a simple <\/span>romper<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n In any case, we recommend having your baby wear a <\/span>bib<\/span> until right before you\u2019re called up for the ceremony. This will help keep your <\/span>baby\u2019s christening<\/span> outfit clean until the ceremony.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Bonjour Berry<\/p><\/div>\n After the ceremony is over, take some time to thank your clergyman, church staff, and your guests. While most churches don\u2019t expect anything in exchange for your child\u2019s <\/span>christening ceremony<\/span>, it\u2019s a good time to make a donation as a gesture of appreciation.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\nHow to Plan a <\/b>Baby Christening<\/b> Step-by-Step<\/b><\/h2>\n
Step 1: Select Your Child\u2019s <\/b>Godparents<\/b><\/h3>\n
Step 2: Talk to Your Clergyman<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Baby](\"https:\/\/cdn.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/small-white-church.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nStep 3: Decide on Your Event Venue<\/b><\/h3>\n
Step 4: Send Out Invitations<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Step 5: Plan Food and Drinks<\/b><\/h3>\n
Step 6: Pick Out a <\/b>Christening<\/b> Outfit<\/b><\/h3>\n
Step 7: Send Your Thanks<\/b><\/h3>\n
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