Baby baptism question

[englishteacha]

DH and I apparently have different ideas about the significance of a child's baptism. So I wonder, what do the folks of the DIS think?

 

[Coconut36]

We had family and godparents at the baptism and then a larger gathering after. Anyone was welcome to attend the baptism but not obligated to be there (except godparents and grandparents)

 

[brookmey]

We had family only. DD was baptized in my hometown and DS was baptized in DH's hometown. Both sets of grandparents, godparents, and a couple of DH's sisters were at the baptisms. Afterwards, we had a gathering of the same, plus a few extended family members for DD's baptism. We wanted both baptisms to be small and private, not a huge family event. DH's family has to have alcohol at every family gathering and drinking responsibly is not in their vocab. We didn't want all the drinking, so we didn't open up DS's baptism to extended family.

 

[Jake06]

We had a big gathering for our 2 oldest. Our 3rd child was born with major heart issues and needed open heart-surgery so we did a very quick, private baptism for him. Only his god-parents attended - bittersweet.

 

[Disney Doll]

I guess it depends on what you man by "big shindig". Most Baptisms around here seem to be extended family and close friends, so it might be anywhere from 20-50 people.

 

[RadioNate]

Baptism with immediate family in Church. Obviously, parents and godparents but then people like grandparents and aunts/uncles of the child.

Then small gathering at home with the aforementioned people plus some extended family and close friends.

 

[castleview]

We were in a different church then. We had immediate family at the church and a bigger party afterwards. At the church I'm at now, the baptisms take about three minutes and it's not that huge a show. I like it better that way and have no problem with a small affair…if you even want that.

 

[Stitchfans]

For us, family and very close friends. Now that I am in a new area and have not made any friends I guess it is any family member we can get to come over. Which isn't much. For my grandson's baptism it was my two DDs (oldest one... the mother) my 1st ex husband, (grandson's grandpa) my cousin who lives 4 doors down and me. Not a big crowd, but still nice.

 

[Gigi22]

To this day I remember making 8 pumpkin pies for guests at the family party that followed my oldest niece's baptism. It was around Thanksgiving, so we had pumpkin pie.

 

[Poohforyou]

We had godparents and some other family and took everyone out to lunch after.

 

[okeydokey]

We do baptism here within the regular mass, so the church was full of our church family, plus our home families, who had traveled across the country to attend. Then we had a casual party at our house.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We just did close family, godparents, and then my godmother and my sister's godparents who are closer to me than my own. My mother hosted a luncheon afterwards. It was the first time that some of the people saw the baby, including my own grandmother who came in from out of town, so keeping it small was perfect.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Both my kids were baptized during the worship service, so alot of people, but not necessarily all ones we'd invited. I didn't send invitations or anything, but family knew when it was and were welcome to come if they wanted. (DS had my inlaws, his godparents and I think my brother and grandmother. DD had my parents, only her godmother, and my grandmother.)

After DS we had a big dinner at home for those who attended. (Frankly, it was primarily because MIL did it, and it was also on Mother's Day.) We went out to eat together after DD's, which makes alot more sense to me because what new mom wants to be accomodating guests and cooking! You're allowed to make it easy on yourself. )

 

[mtemm]

I wasn't sure how to vote, but went with #1. wasn't sure what you meant by lots of guests.

our eldest was baptised at our church when we lived in NH and they didn't do it as part of a regular mass. we had maybe 30 guests attend, all were family, and they all went back to my parents house (larger than our townhouse) after and we had food there. Our twins were baptised in our church in upstate ny which was done as part of a mass. we had about the same number of people that came for it, again all family, and they came back to our house after for food.

good luck with whatever compromise you guys come up with!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I voted "Other".

In our church, baptisms are done during a regular sunday service. We told all the relatives (local) when it was going to be. After the service the family went to lunch together.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

For DS's baptism, at church grandparents and Godparents then a big party of friends, neighbors and relatives at home.

For DD's grandparents and godparents at church and since she was baptized in the winter, I had the party at a restaurant. A smaller scale than DS's, but still included family and friends.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Do either one of you have friends and/or family that want to come? If so, invite them! A baptism is a happy day.

 

[disneychrista]

Immediate family, god parents attend ceremony. No party.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Our religion (christian) doesn't do baptisms or any other other physical rite, so no issue.

 

[shortbun]

We had a private ceremony followed by a family luncheon with a few family friends. I'm not sure how that fits in the poll.