Christening protocol

[RubyToogood]

NB When I say frock, of course I don't mean you have to wear a frock as such, just whatever your best outfit is.

 

[trashpony]

I wouldn't wish that on anyone trashpony (being born in basingstoke I mean)!

Black dress, red cardigan sounds perfect - it'll be cold anyway, even with your central heating built in

They might try and make you sing hymns though (and do prayers ). In such cases I normally mouth the words - it's usually a hymn I've never heard of.

I'm utterly crap at hymns - I only found out recently that I know the tune to Jerusalem

I'll mouth.

I would imagine it's a bog-standard CofE thing as it's in the village church. I'm quite looking forward to it in a weird perverse way.

Yes - I shall wear my black and red outfit but do my hair nicely. And smile.

I have reread the invite and it seems it's on Saturday, not Sunday. And my mum reckons I'll be exonerated from the standing/sitting lark given my difficulty in getting up and down. I get to spit in the eye of god

 

[trashpony]

NB When I say frock, of course I don't mean you have to wear a frock as such, just whatever your best outfit is.

Ooh you've just reminded me that my sister gave me a sort of olive green top and skirt combo thing which is very smart and I've never had the opportunity to wear but this is perfect! Then I would have had use of every single item in my maternity wardrobe - yay!

 

[equationgirl]

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about the getting up/sitting down stuff.

Wear a lipstick to match your cardigan, that'll look pretty (not that you're not already, you know what I mean).

*climbs out of large hole*

I think I only know the words to the first verse of 'Morning has broken' and maybe some of 'All things bright and beautiful'. That's it.

ETA. But don't match your lipstick to your outfit if you go for the olive one. That would just be plain weird.

 

[bluestreak]

don't bring a coat-hanger as a christening gift and say, "i knowit's a bit late but..."

christenings are a piece of piss. i christened a kid once during a humorous mix up

 

[trashpony]

ETA. But don't match your lipstick to your outfit if you go for the olive one. That would just be plain weird.

My eyeshadow perhaps. I think I have some green eyeshadow.

People are going to ask me awkward questions about the father aren't they? Oh well - I'd better get used to it - it'll keep happening I expect

 

[littlebabyjesus]

No, friends but I suppose because it's a celebration that they've had lovely babies. I don't mind going - it's a day out of my life and they'd be pleased if I went. I won't lie to them about christening my baby but I guess if an old lady asks I'll probably do an mmmm.

Yes - I find it irritating if people do the church thing for weddings, deaths and christenings only. It seems like a weird insurance policy or maybe it's about not rocking the boat. I'm proud of my heathen self

I don't know - maybe they have a real belief in god - I've not really ever discussed it with them

I can understand people wanting to use a church. I love churches, and sometimes I resent the way the religious monopolise their use.

What I find odd is that, even if they are religious, they expect friends they know aren't (or at least don't know are) to go through a religious ceremony. It's a party to celebrate a new life, which is a great thing to do - but it's not very inclusive to make it a religious party.

 

[LilMissHissyFit]

Best frock? I only have one maternity frock and it's black. No hats. My wardrobe is extremely limited. Black dress, red cardi?

I shouldn't give birth at the actual xtening as it's 4 weeks before I'm due. I'll take my notes with me just to be safe though. God the poor kid could end up being born in Basingstoke

sounds perfect, dont worry too much about it.
Unless you are a godparent you wont be required to do too much, you show up, sigh contendedly at small person say a few amens.They give you a sheet so you can join in a bit- usually they ask the people assembled to promise to love and guide the child as it grows, not ncessarily church/god stuff, depends where you get the bubba dipped, sometimes its V full on and you might not want to join in, depends on your own beliefs
Then you coo and whoo and cwtchy coo a bit after the service, usually with a meal or buffet or something similar involved.