No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)updated at bottom!

I have been to a few christening parties that have extended the invite to children and have had entertainment for them and the whole 9.

Honestly, I want Santino's christening to be adults only with the exception of his first cousin. We are having it at the Harbor Club and I just don't want children running around, the entertainment ect. I don't want that type of party this time. (Off course we will have kids for his first bday). Is this okay? Can I invite adults only? IF so how? Would you be offended if you were invited to a christening party with just your husband and if you asked to bring the kiddies the host said"we are not having chidlren for this party.."

Also, some of our firends/famlily have babies and they are welcome to come if the parents ask. How do you tell people that the babies are welcome but no toddlers/kids? OR can't you? So confused and any advice would be appreciated. I've been to parties with young babies and not toddlers kids/

Lastly, if we do have children it is not like it is just a few, but I'm talking 25-30 kids.

Please understand that I have nothing against kids...I am a mother! I just want an adult party and with my personality if I did have the kiddies I would feel obligated to get entertainment/kids favors ect and I just don;t want to do that for this party.

TIA!

Message edited 3/26/2010 11:29:36 AM.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

I see your point, for a baby's Christening I would expect to be invited with my DS. JMO

If it's a wedding, shower, or adult's b-day party (during the day) I would understand no kids, but maybe feel a little different about a Christening.

I guess I would understand just close friends and family, but isn't that who you're inviting anyway?

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

IMO, it's going to be really hard--especially if you are inviting the parents and then want them to leave the kids at home. You can definitely say "no kids" but I think that would lead to a lot of "no" responses.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

I think i'd be a little offended actually.. BUT it is your party.. you are paying so have the party you want to have!!
just had my son's christening and we had over 30 kids there!!

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

I understand where you are coming from, but if you have some kids at the party don't you think it might offend the others that were asked to keep their kids at home?

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

It is your party, so you make the decision but I would think it was odd. When invited to a party for a child, I naturally expect children to be invited.

I'm also the type of person that think all the kiddies running around is the best part of a family party. I love seeing DD interact with her cousins and other kids at parties.

ETA: I also think it needs to be all or nothing. You can't pick and choose which kids to invite. I would be a bit annoyed as a guest if I were told to find a babysitter for my kid and there were other children at the party.

Message edited 3/26/2010 11:14:08 AM.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

I guess the thing is you can do whatever you *want* to do, but the "picking and choosing" who can come is definitely going to annoy some people... for sure.... If you're doing an adult only gig, I'd make it an evening party. But I really don't think you need to go the entertainment for kids route at all. I've been to what feels like hundreds of christenings; kids are always invited and the parents entertain them or they entertain each other; it really doesn't take away from the party at all. You definitely don't need separate entertainment for them.

It's also another expense on your friends/family who have kids to get babysitters for the event so I'd be sensitive to that.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

IMO,I consider Christenings to be a family party and expect children to be included.

I don't know that you can include babies but not toddlers. I think you would either have to go adults only or include children.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

thx for all the rapid responses! I guess that is why I'm asking, bc I know it could be an akward situation.

Okay, so if I do have the children do I have to have entertainment for them?

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Posted by EricaAlt

Posted by MrsNicolaxoxo

thx for all the rapid responses! I guess that is why I'm asking, bc I know it could be an akward situation.

Okay, so if I do have the children do I have to have entertainment for them?

I don't think so... what's the average age and how many? If it's at a place and you only have a handful then they're fine entertaining themselves. Worry about that for a b-day party. Then your DC will also be entertained.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

I don't think you need extra entertainment. <ids generally run around and around and around until the food comes. They eat a couple of bites and then run around and around and around. The little babies will be with their parents.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

I don't think you need entertainmnet. I may just set up a little area for the toddlers to color and stuff. I do that for a lot of family parties. Go to the dollar store and pick up some crayons, coloring books and other things the kids can share and keep busy with. For the most part they will entertain each other.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Oh and one other thing--Dh and I were looking at places for DD's 2nd b-day (it's in December we're early birds) and found a place that you can choose either a music or art lesson--we we both like ART!! Music is fun, but can get really, really loud. I agree with the other poster who said get some crayons and easel paper and they'll do their own thing.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

I think of christenings as family parties..

And honestly, I think saying "babies" but not "toddlers" is also hard b/c some people consider babies until a certain point, etc, etc,

Our parties never have entertainment! So, don't sweat that

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Okay guys..thanks for all of your opinions/advice. Comng from all of you mommies I guess my plan for an adult party would not be right. I guess I'll talk to the hubby and we will extend the invite to children but I will not be bringing in seperate entertainment.
I reached out bc I knew this might be offensive to some.


I love the idea of having some inexpensive toys, crayons and coloring books.

Thanks ladies

I wanted to do I small party (but with a huge family it is impossible) and now we are spending so much money!!! DOes it ever end lol

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)

Posted by Snickers

Oh and one other thing--Dh and I were looking at places for DD's 2nd b-day (it's in December we're early birds) and found a place that you can choose either a music or art lesson--we we both like ART!! Music is fun, but can get really, really loud. I agree with the other poster who said get some crayons and easel paper and they'll do their own thing.

Re: No children at christening party? Honest opionons and advice please? (long)updated at bottom!

At the twins christening, we had about 15 kids and I did what a pp mentioned - I got a bunch of coloring books, crayons and cars from the dollar store and the kids had the best time.