Baptisms/Dedications Etiquette

[kirabou]

We're finally getting around to getting LO baptized (scatterbrained). We're going to be baptizing her around the end of February, I think, and we'll just be inviting close relatives (i.e my parents, H's parents, our siblings and their immediate families, our grandparents). My question: what's expected of me in terms of "hosting" this event? Am I supposed to take people out for a meal after? Host a party?

Caveat: We're looking to move around the same time, so hosting a party at our home is going to be out of the question. Therefore, it's going to be a pretty substantial financial undertaking to pay for ~20 people at a restaurant. 

[shevacc]

We just had DS's baptism and MIL hosted lunch at our house afterwards. We did half catering half food MIL prepared and had around 25 people. I think you can do what you want but that lunch seems customary if it's a typical morning church service.

If money is tight, maybe you could have coffee and donuts after in the church hall?

[mrsnorris]

I can't speak from personal experience but my dad was a Methodist pastor and it was common to have some light food (read: bowl of pretzels and a fruit salad or something, or possibly ham sandwiches and chips), a simple sheet cake and coffee etc in the reception hall of the church after baptisms. Generally, only people close to the family would stay and it was never more than family and a handful of friends. Simple, cheap and easy. But, this was the UMC in fairly rural parts of IL so YMMV.

[wickednomnoms]

Well, I'm no better! We aren't having LO baptized until March 8, he'll be 6 months. Whoops! Although, in my defense, the woman at the church who books events messed up, as it was supposed to be on January 11. Oh well.

We were going to have everyone back to our house after the church and I was going to cook, with the help of my mom and sister. Then I decided cooking, cleaning and hosting 25-30 people was WAY too much work. Just booked a restaurant so we will be going there for lunch/ dinner afterwards. All I have to do is order a cake Much easier!

[FunniBunni]

#1- Easter Vigil, so no reception after.
#2- Party after at my mom's
#3- cake for everyone at church. Pool party after at my Aunt's
#4- lunch at a restaurant after. We paid.

I think whatever you want to do is fine. Also, we didn't get any baptismal gifts. (Not a big thing here.) If your expecting some, that might influence your choice?

[elaina22]

We did a brunch at our house after...light food and cake. My sister took everyone out for pizza. However, I like the above idea of cake and coffee somewhere at the church.

[heybombershay]

It's whatever you want - I don't think that there are a lot of expectations for a baptism. We held a party at my parents' house afterwards with about 20 people. My mom cooked some things, I picked up some chicken and a cake, and I also set up a mimosa bar.

[caybeh]

We had lunch at our house afterwards. I just made some BBQs and left the meat in the crock pot. I would ditto check to see if you can have it at church. You could always get like a meat and cheese platter and some buns, chips. I don't think it needs to be fancy.

[vk]

DS is getting baptised on the 8th. We are only having our parents and siblings so there shouldn't be more than 15 people. I think we are going to order pizza and have a cake, veggie tray and chips. I would prefer to do it at a restaurant, but it is more expensive for us that way.

If your church allows it I would do it there! so much easier!

[ayannapc]

My mother and aunt hosted lunch after baby dedication. We are Caribbean so we always eat heavy but I thought finger food maybe light lunch would do. It was more like a party but that's how we usually do things anyway. I

[lena1976]

LO was baptized at 11:30 so we had lunch and caje at our house after. We did a "sandwich bar" and chips. Super easy and pretty inexpensive. We had about 20 people.

[tinkerbell019]

We had my DH and DS baptized together, then held a brunch at my mother's afterward...mostly breakfast type foods, mimosas, coffee & a cake - btwn 15-20 people, a good time, no stress, and didn't break the bank

[leskay]

I really have to get off my ass and plan LO baptism. At this rate she's gonna be walking up to the aisle

[weeklyplanner]

I think it's a regional thing. Around here people have big ass parties at a hall. Sometimes there are even DJs. FWIW, I think the mini wedding is INSANE!

We had a party at a restaurant (40 people). My family also does parties after at the house, but a meal is always served.

[kirabou]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your input!! In a perfect world, we'll be in our new house, and it'll be ready for entertaining... but that's likely wishful thinking. I love the idea of hosting a reception in the church social hall! Didn't even occur to me, thanks!

[bobloblaw]

Since I was less than 2 weeks out of a c-section and my MIL insisted on a baptism right then, she planned it all. I put my foot down to a big party and said just family. We had light sandwiches, fruit salad, potato salad, some little finger foods like quiche and pot stickers, and cake at my brother in law's house.

[mislogis]

Don't feel bad. We aren't baptizing V until May, the same weekend G makes her first communion so we can throw 1 party and only have to have relatives fly in once.

[mandapanda1382]

I think it really depends on the culture of your church/family. When we blessed our son we just invited our immediate families and a select few extended family members. We had them back to our house after and most people offered to bring some finger food for the small reception after. But that's how all events go in our family/church.