Scott and I are trying to figure out our budget issues since I will be without a paycheck (or only a small disability one) for a few weeks. Also, since my baby is due end of November I need to plan the Christening for January, and with the holidays I want to have everything done before the baby is born. My other concern is that the Christenings in our Church are Sunday afternoons and DH's whole family is from out-of-town. It might be hard for them to stay for a 4-7 dinner and then have a 3-4 hour drive home. Plus what if the weather is bad? Can you tell me what you all did? Did you do a big resturant type thing?
JennRenee
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Re: Did you host a large Christening Party?
Not yet, but we plan to. We are already looking into places. I'm leaning toward the Country House or the Oldfield Club.
Kathi
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Re: Did you host a large Christening Party?
Our Peanut's guest list is at about 90 right now (including about 20 kids)... We're planning for an early October/late September party. Where, we don't know.
I have a big family, so there's really no way to avoid a wedding-sized party.
Michele - will your Parish allow a private Christening on Saturday?? Naturally, a suitable *donation* is required, but many parishes allow it. My sister did it in Rockland Co. last November. We're planning on a private ceremony, given that we plan to do what Phyl did.
LisaT
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Re: Did you host a large Christening Party?
I was going to suggest a private christening as well. Both my SIL's have had them for their kids. They were at noon on Saturday, and had the party immediately following.
bearsbabe_113
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Re: Did you host a large Christening Party?
Probably, have no clue where or when though! And like Kathi, I have a big family, plus a lot of close friends who are like my family, so I can never get away with just a 'small' party!!
We'll probably look for something in Nassau though because the prices of places in Queens is totally ridiculous! But we'll see. My other dilemma is when to have it -- since little Bear Cub is due in Sept, I would like to have it before Christmas.
HeatherandNick
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Re: Did you host a large Christening Party?
I had Justin's Chirstening at Danfords in Port Jeff. We had about 120 people there (including aout 30 kids). It was on a Sunday afternoon. We did have a lot of out-of-town guests, most didn't mind the drive!
Stacey1403
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Re: Did you host a large Christening Party?
Another thing to think about
phyl
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Re: Did you host a large Christening Party?
had about 90 on our list..mostly freinds and coworkers..and robs fam. u guys knoww the drill about that...ad on sun actually and we were the only ones in the church...at 130pm..went to china buffet for our dinner. had a separate rm just 4 us...we picked that place since everyone would find something they liked 2 eat...and it was more reasonable. still vost over 1,000
christine1221
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Re: Did you host a large Christening Party?
I don't know how this is going to work. I'm glad to hear that some parishes have private christenings, but I know mine is very big into the community aspect of it. I'll have to look into it. I'll probably wait until the end of Jan, since the baby's due in Nov. We got married at Christmas last year ... I think if its too close to the holidays, people will be very upset with us!!!
phyl
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call your parish early..
to see what they will or will not allow. DO this even if u r still pregant. some churches do not have as many dates for these ceremonies avaiable...or may only do it ONCE a month...so you need to get in there early.
ALSO if you are doing a welcoming ceremony..you are taking the extra steps to make both religous parties comfortable...please bear in mind when passover occurs next year. ( sorry I dont have my calandar) ...Jews for the most part restrict thier diet..and cannot partake in any 'regular' food or beverages.
Claud2001
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Re: call your parish early..
We had Paul's christening on a Sunday b/c the parish would not do any private ceremonies, and we were not going to fork over any sizable 'donations' to do so. If you guys can swing it, that might be an option.
Also, the christening was at 1 PM, and we were at the restaurant by 3 PM - so...is 5 or 6 PM too late for his family to drive back??
One thing you could do is have the christening ceremony on the Sunday, and then throw your reception/party on the following Saturday. Might not be ideal b/c his family won't be there for the ceremony, but unless you can do a private ceremony, I don't know how else it would work.
kptoys
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Re: call your parish early..
We had Emmas Christening when she was 3 months old. We had a small GTG at our house, about 35 people afterwards.
Fran M
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Re: call your parish early..
My cousin did as Claud suggested. The ceremony was attended by the Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles couisns and of course Godparents. They had a huge party - probably 100 people a few weeks later. There was no way all 100 people could have attended the ceremony so it all worked out fine. Plus she got to dress her adorable son up twice in his outfit.
michele31
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Re: call your parish early..
We are also considering doing a pre-ceremony brunch and that way people can leave after the ceremony if they want to. I can host coffee/cake back at our home for those who want to hang-out.
I think Scott needs to speak to his family and ask them if they are going to come here in January. That is a HUGE problem with the snow there. BUT if I have girl she will wear the same Christening gown the my Grandmother, my Mom/Aunts and my sister and I all wore. And the gown is made for a small infant. I could hold off until Feb if I have a boy since I do not have a special outfit for him to wear.
