maybe this isn't for this board but

i feel more comfortable with you all and I don't want to offend anyone either. Maybe i am being hormonal/cranky - I don't understand why some people have huge parties in a catering hall for something like a Christening? I DO understand celebrating, or if you have a big family and can't accommodate at home but honestly I have a friend who invited DH and I AND my parents too!!!

Personally, if/when we have a christening party, I'm only planning on immediate family and won't be inviting the parents of a friend...

Is it me?
what are your thoughts on this?

Message edited 1/30/2007 4:59:19 PM.

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

My Best Friend has a HUGE christening for her twins.

Oh please ready for this, she had a huge shower (75 women) in April, a HUGE christening in Oct. over 150 people at a hall w/ a DJ, 3 cakes, A magic act (who was very good). A HUGE 1st B-Day party on property they own in a huge tent B-B-Q style w, petting zoo, blow up bouncer thing, blow up water slide & game tent in June the following year. This year she's having a large formal engagement party, shower, btch pty & wedding.

She is my best friend in the whole world but man o man is she expensive!

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

My sister did that. I totally don't get it either. She had the e-party , the really big bridal shower (Feb), the HUGE wedding (May, 100+ more people than me), the housewarming (Sept, that was small bbq), then the christening at a catering hall (the following Sept).

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

I've actually heard of people having Christening parties in "wedding style". They have had them at Chateau Briand and come up from the rising floor and had a "first dance" with Mom, Dad and baby...

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

i'm glad i'm not alone in thinking that at some point - enough. it does get expensive. dont people understand that we want to be respectful etc but don't they realize that at some point you're asking too much of people...

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

A friend of mine had a really big christening...personally, I think I would just have immediate family out to dinner....the baby won't even remember!!

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

I always look on the boards but mainly post on parenting. I did have a big bris for my son about 50 people and a big 1st b-day party for him. The 1st b-day party was in a backyard so there were alot of people but it was simple . I know lots of people that have HUGE 1st b-day parties. I am not sure why - the baby doesnt know. We are having just my closest friends at my house for my daugthers party, her baby naming was just immediate family. The simpler the better

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

Posted by pharmcat2000

I've actually heard of people having Christening parties in "wedding style". They have had them at Chateau Briand and come up from the rising floor and had a "first dance" with Mom, Dad and baby...

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

My aunt had her daughter's christening in the hall she got married in....with about 200 people and a videographer and everything.

My cousin's 1st birthday was much like the one you said- tent, petting zoo (I wonder if we are talking about the same person actually!)


I feel like now I have to live up to that when we have a baby....it will be big because we have so many friends and a huge family but at a catering hall...porbbaly not

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

To be honest, I think it may be a cultural thing...

My family is Greek and everyone has huge christenings (like weddings). We've been to so many relatives and friends of my parents kids christenings at catering halls with dj's and videographers, etc...

The worst part is that if I ever get pregnant and have a baby I know my parents are going to want to have a big deal like that to invite everyone that they went too...its just expected.

I think its ridiculous personally...

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

Message edited 1/28/2007 9:29:42 AM.

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

I am with you - Christenings are getting to be a bit out of hand in my opinion - and there is one for each child for each couple. I am getting a little tired of them because all my friends are now at that stage where they are having babies....so hear come the Christenings. I probably would keep it simple as well. I know people would not get insulted if they were not invited. I know DH & I would not

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

Some people just like parties and have money to burn....I don't think there is anything wrong with it, but it's not my style. My cousin had 2 christenings at Leonards!!!!

We'll probably have something at our house depending on how many people we would invite and depending on the time of year. Or have it at a small place like where you would have shower or even a restaurant with a private room.

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

I think it has a lot to do with each family's culture. DH family throws huge parties for things like Christenings/Baptismals, communions... etc. They are already asking us what we are planning to do for our nugget's Christening. (Wait until they find out it will be a non-denominational Baptismal...heads will explode all ofver nassau!). I personally like to have close friends & family around to celebrate the big moments, but not to the point where I have to be "introduced" to my guests.

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

I do think it depends on the family's traditions/culture. The last one in DH"s family was huge and I was happy for them, but I don't want to follow in that path. I'm hoping to, when the tme comes, keep it as small as possible and low key.

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

I think its a personal choice. I mean some people have big families and would like to invite all of their family to share in such a special moment and day with everyone. Thus having it in a restaurant or their apartment would be ridiculous. However, I do agree with you that some may go overboard and spend a lot of $$. But then again, I feel like if you have it, then why not spend it?

Message edited 1/29/2007 3:27:56 PM.

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

I think it is definately a personal choice. But, if someone has a shower, wedding and christening what's the difference if they have it within one year or over the course of 2 or 3 years? You are going to give what you can anyway, so what's the big deal?

I am not having a big party for my son's Christening, I am just taking my immediate family out to eat. But, I find it funny how so many people on TTC say they will not have a big Christening, but on parenting the majority of the mommies say they are having a big one. I think it's easy to judge if you do not have a child yet. My suggestion is to wait until you are in the situation to say what you will and will not do. Things change. Believe me.

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

Just a quick addendum to my post. I have been calling places about the baptismal & one place asked if I was having a DJ & passed hors d'ovouers (sp?) Then they gave me the WEDDING MENU

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

I am an event coordinator, so you can imagine the parties I see.....

Christenings that cost more than most weddings, 1st birthdays that are so crazy, and the child will remember nothing of it!!!!!

IMHO I would wait until the child is old enough to even appreciate these things.

Yes, some people have large families and cultures and tradition, but they don't HAVE to be followed..

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

i'm sorry if this was miscommunicated. i'm not judging how others choose to celebrate at all - i have a large extended family too, but when you start inviting "the friend of a friend" to a 100+ person christening party - that's a bit much in my opinion. I'm sure things do change after having a baby.

What i meant about the timeline was only personal venting because reception parties get expensive. I don't even know what to give for a christening in a hall - - the same as a wedding??

Re: maybe this isn't for this board but

my sister had a big christening for her 2 kids. Both at a hall, with a dj, the second one i remember most and it also had a magician and clown. both had favors... she just can afford it more.

Me we'll probably end up having a small christening at someones house...