It's a Baptism...not a party.

amoyer48

We are having our daughter baptized on Sunday. I am Roman Catholic, and a product of 12 years of Catholic Education. Despite, my upbringing we do not practice as much as we should. That being said we are inviting my intermediate family and my husbands to the baptism. We have decided just to have a baptism not a party afterwards. We dont have the space to host people, I am breastfeeding, we have 2 small dogs, not to mention all the prep! I also go back to work the next day. Am I wrong? Today my MIL and other family kept asking about why no party. Perhaps I am crazy but it is more important for me to have the baby baptized then party it up afterwards! Oh well

Kdrake8

Our daughter is also getting baptized on Sunday. We are having a luncheon for her afterwards to thank everyone for taking the time to come to her baptism and to celebrate the occasion with our immediate family, godparents, and very close friends.  I don't see it as "partying it up".... Maybe that's where your MIL is coming from?

I think it's fine NOT to have a party, but there's nothing wrong with those of us who want to invite others to have some lunch afterward.  

AmandaR204

I totally agree...IMO baptisms and communions are NOT for parties and showing off. It is all about the childs initiation into Christianity. People need to respect that this is a religious right of passage, not a cocktail party. I've been having the same issues..! Also I think its perfectly fine to have small parties and dinners to celebrate the baby's baptism but I don't think its necessary and you shouldn't be hounded if you don't want to.

ninjabridemom

I think a party is part of a celebration, imo, but I'm not religious at all.  Also, it's to thank people like PP said.

 

Bring sandwiches and cupcakes to the church and use their common room. 

CM1206

I know people who have had mini weddings for their child's baptism ($30k, huge venue, dj, 4 course meal).

Although I see having something afterwards is just a nice way of thanking people for coming to see your LO get baptised and to celebrate the sacrament. But I'm pretty much in the same boat. If we invite just immediate family (close aunts, uncles, and cousins) our list is at 90. Our church doesn't have a common room for us to use. We're just doing our parents and siblings and doing a small lunch afterwards.

mumegs

In my family we have food for every occasion, but we also just look for a reason to get together and eat sometimes...lol. We would probably at least go to dinner or have some food after.

WildcatPrincess

I had never heard of a luncheon after a baptism until my nephew, then I learned it is fairly common? My church does a little reception afterwards with cake and that's it. But I did the whole lunch after thing since the ILs seemed to expect it and not one of them ate anything I made. They all left literally as lunch was coming out of the oven - never again.

Kdrake8

CM1206:

I know people who have had mini weddings for their child's baptism ($30k, huge venue, dj, 4 course meal).

Although I see having something afterwards is just a nice way of thanking people for coming to see your LO get baptised and to celebrate the sacrament. But I'm pretty much in the same boat. If we invite just immediate family (close aunts, uncles, and cousins) our list is at 90. Our church doesn't have a common room for us to use. We're just doing our parents and siblings and doing a small lunch afterwards.

 

See, now a mini wedding is ridiculous. We are having a small lunch for 25 people and some cake... In our townhouse community room. Not only do I think it's nice to offer people lunch, but we are also looking forward to spending some time with everyone. 

I can see where people think a party costing thousands with a DJ is excessive! 

stacieann15

We had a casual party with my mom's side of the family after Nathan's baptism. The priest even came!

mrs+harlow

Around here people have wedding like festivities for Christenings...totally not my style. We are flying home down South for L's baptism and my inlaws don't get why we aren't having a huge free for all. My MIL even asked my husband if " do people in my religion have Christenings" lmao...I'm Prostestant and he's from a Roman Catholic family ( Italian). He had to tell her we are just Prostestant and dont belong to a cult.

I told my mom I just want a family thing after church and for my Dad to BBQ a pork shoulder...and have fun out by the pool.

TrendyTina

We're Catholic too and DS is being baptized in 2 weeks. We don't have the space to have a party at our house either so we are hosting a luncheon at a nice Italian restaurant afterward. I think there should be SOMETHING after the baptism so people can talk and see the baby. They won't be able to interact during the ceremony after all. At the very least, I would bring a sheet cake the parish hall so people could have coffee and cake. Asking people to attend the baptism (and most likely bring a gift) and not offer ANY refreshments afterward is less than ideal IMO. 

PinkPeony6210

TrendyTina:

We're Catholic too and DS is being baptized in 2 weeks. We don't have the space to have a party at our house either so we are hosting a luncheon at a nice Italian restaurant afterward. I think there should be SOMETHING after the baptism so people can talk and see the baby. They won't be able to interact during the ceremony after all. At the very least, I would bring a sheet cake the parish hall so people could have coffee and cake. Asking people to attend the baptism (and most likely bring a gift) and not offer ANY refreshments afterward is less than ideal IMO. 

This.  

Ruby412

PinkPeony6210:

TrendyTina:

We're Catholic too and DS is being baptized in 2 weeks. We don't have the space to have a party at our house either so we are hosting a luncheon at a nice Italian restaurant afterward. I think there should be SOMETHING after the baptism so people can talk and see the baby. They won't be able to interact during the ceremony after all. At the very least, I would bring a sheet cake the parish hall so people could have coffee and cake. Asking people to attend the baptism (and most likely bring a gift) and not offer ANY refreshments afterward is less than ideal IMO. 

This.  

Agreed. I think if people are taking the time to travel in and visit your LO and bring him/her a gift, it's right to give them some time to spend together. I've never heard of a Briss/Baby Naming/Christening without some kind of get together afterwards. It can be totally casual, and usually is around where I live.

DragonflyBelle

Juliana was baptized on Christmas Eve night at the evening service and then got to play "Baby Jesus" and I was Mary. It was extremely special, and there wasn't a party afterward because everyone was going home to prepare for Santa and such. We don't really know when Rosalie will be baptized but I doubt there will be a huge blowout after.

Now, I am not Catholic, but every Catholic baptism I have been to involved a huge party after, so...I think it's largely dependent on your denomination.

Jellybean707

TrendyTina:

We're Catholic too and DS is being baptized in 2 weeks. We don't have the space to have a party at our house either so we are hosting a luncheon at a nice Italian restaurant afterward. I think there should be SOMETHING after the baptism so people can talk and see the baby. They won't be able to interact during the ceremony after all. At the very least, I would bring a sheet cake the parish hall so people could have coffee and cake. Asking people to attend the baptism (and most likely bring a gift) and not offer ANY refreshments afterward is less than ideal IMO. 

 

This. IMHO it is rude not to do anything. We did a luncheon in the fellowship hall after DS was baptized. The parish wanted to interact with the baby that just became part of their community.

amoyer48

We live in a small town with literally 2 restaurants a chinese restaurant and an italian one. The one is closed on Sundays. Also there is no room available to us for use after the baptism as the church is very small and there are several baptisms that day. Unfortunately, I guess I will be labeled rude. We do not have the space at our little town home and i do have a nice size yard, however we are fighting groundhogs and have several traps set up. At the end of the day I just want my baby to be baptized. I am not doing it for the gifts.