Baptism Dilemna

[golfgal]

I agree with everyone else, do something small at your place. Everyone knows your house and no one will expect anything grand. If you DO want to do a meal, check local restaurants for catering. I know places like Famous Dave's cater-basically stick stuff in coolers for you to take-and it is not all that expensive-$7-15/person. Subway or other sandwich shops would also be pretty economical. When our twins made their First Communion we had the same issue-we were in a temporary townhouse and had no room. We borrowed a couple folding tables and a bunch of chairs from neighbors, I made roast beef and mashed potatoes and it was fine. The tables were set up in the dining area, living room and some of the kids at at the counter in the kitchen. No one minded one bit.

The nice thing about the roast and potatoes is you can do it all ahead of time. I make the mashed potatoes the night before (I made them with sour cream and cream cheese and they taste better if you let them sit overnight anyway). I slow cook my roasts so I put that in when I got up in the morning and when we got back from church it was done. That was all the work it took.

 

[emma'smom]

Cake and coffee would be absolutely appropriate....and so what if your place is small, people may just stop in for a few minutes to offer good wishes and then go to lunch on their own later. Perhaps you could borrow a few folding chairs from your church and just set them up close together for the older folks. Everyone else can just stand....

Another thought....still have it at your house, but call it an "open house" later in the day (after lunch).....so out of town relatives can go freshen up and local relatives can come and go. Hold it for 2 hours and you won't have everyone in your house at one time.

 

[ma2jr]

There's just no "nice" way to invite your family out to dinner and ask that they pay their own way..

Well said... I agree coffee and cake is a fine idea.

 

[diznygirl]

I agree that most wouldn't worry about being cramped in your house. Some might not even go.

We held my daughter's baptism out of town, so there was no house to go back to. We went to Shakey's and had the place to ourselves.

 

[aprilgail2]

No way would I EVER invite family to a baptism or any other event and have them pay for there own meals- I just could not imagine that!! I would have them back to your house even if it is small and have a couple trays of ziti, a 6 foot hero and cake....or if you can spring for a VFW hall, my brothers Masonic place only charges 400.00 to rent it out for a few hours!

 

[clh2]

In our neck of the woods, some people rent out the village hall. Others rent out picnic shelters - some are more enclosed and have heat and indoor plumbing.

I also did our rehearsal dinner at an Italian place, and we got a buch of pizza's. This is WAY cheap! And...a whole lot of fun!

Another idea, not one of my favorite restaurants, not at all, so I almost feel bad suggesting it - do you have an Old Country Buffet near you? Looking on line, they have a 5.99 breakfast buffet on Saturday and Sundays. That would include the beverages, desserts. They are able to accomodate groups of people (but I do not know if you need to give them advance notice, though.)

 

[Green Tea]

Cake and hot apple cider in your back yard? A fall picnic sort of thing. Or in the church's yard, or a local park's picnic shelter.

 

[Kimberle]

If you have many people coming in from far away, then you really should feed them. How about having pizza's at a local pizzarea? Our library rents out a room for $100 for the afternoon. Check around. Even if you just have 6' subs, salads, and cake, you should have something. How would you feel driving a long distance and not being offered any refreshement?

 

[Disney Ron]

Lisa,

I am going through the same thing right now. I have had big headaches planning. I am having DD's christening on Nov. 1. Just my immediate family alone is 42 people. That is just my parents, my brothers with their families, and my step children. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about IL's. Our house is not large and my budget is small. I am sticking to sandwiches, cake and soft drinks. My concern is if it rains the kids won't be able to go outside.

Good luck planning, I am sure whatever you plan your baby will have a beautiful day!

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[lovemygoofy]

A different thought regarding place to hold a reception. Do you have out of town guests coming? If so, naturally they are staying in a hotel. What about a room at the hotel, even if it's just the hotel breakfast area.

I did this for my husband. I called and asked the hotel if I could have his birthday party there. I was bringing all the plates and food and drinks. I cleaned up afterwards including a quick mop of the floors. We only had 15 people, all soldiers but me.

Do what you can afford even if it's just cake and punch and coffee. Remember that your family is coming to celebrate this event, not coming to be fed. Celebrating squished together is still a celebration.

 

[mjkacmom]

I live in a very expensive area, and you can rent out a church basement for $250 (not our church - it's doesn't rent out). I can't imagine charging my guests, especially since they're probably going to give your baby a check.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

A different thought regarding place to hold a reception. Do you have out of town guests coming? If so, naturally they are staying in a hotel. What about a room at the hotel, even if it's just the hotel breakfast area.

I had this thought yesterday and planned on calling today. I'm glad to hear that it worked for you.

 

[Metsfan520]

Do whatever you can afford. Cake & coffee in your home is fine.

 

[Crystal0608]

I would have it at your house. Mine is about 800sf and I've had up to 27 people for a party there before between the kitchen, living room, and front yard.

If you have an outdoor area- grill something thats on sale (hot dogs, drumsticks)- guys gravitate towards grills and it would free up some space inside. Buy chips, 2 liters, cake and that would be plenty I think.