Event Planning

If you can't think of a gift suitable for a christening, then you may wish to give them money instead. But how much money should you give? It's a tricky question! Here is how much money you're really expected to give as a gift

At the end of your little one's christening, you'll want to thank guests for coming with christening party favours. Here are some of our favourite favours to inspire you

A christening is a beautiful way to welcome your baby, and the perfect first step in a life of religion. Here is a simple guide on planning an unforgettable christening

A cute poem? A lengthy formal paragraph? Something short and sweet? How exactly do you word a christening invitation?

A celebration of your child, and a promise to raise them in faith, a christening is an important celebration. But when you're writing the guest list, who should you invite to the christening?

Why send invitations?

What should you write on a christening invitation?

How soon should you send invitations to a christening?

What about invitations for non-religious baby ceremonies?

1) Choose the style of invitation you would like

With so many types of invitation available, it is undeniable that there will be one available to suit your faith, family and occasion. For those hosting a more traditional christening, there are many formal and effective traditional style invitations. Featured Product: Christening Invitations - Summer Roses

2) Develop a key sentence or phrase to headline the invitation

A christening invitation should be headlined with simple and effective wording that clearly expresses your sentiments. Finding the perfect words to invite your loved ones to such a special occasion is not always an easy task. Featured Product: Christening Invitations - Blue Dots Typography - Use Your Own Photo

3) Incorporate all of the relevant information

Including all the relevant information on your invite is key to ensure there is no confusion amongst guests and the day goes as smoothly as possible. Featured Product: Christening Invitations - Twins Dotty Bunting - Postcard

4) Ask for RSVPs

Lastly, don’t forget to end your invitation with an RSVP card, email address or phone number so that they can confirm their attendance.

Keep it short but sweet

Usually, christenings involve a short service at the church and then ordinarily have light refreshments after the events have ceased. These refreshments could be held at your home, in the church hall itself or even in a local public house. Featured Product: Christening Invitations - Summer Pastel Flowers - Use Your Own Photo

Don’t forget to send an RSVP card

Fuss-free invitations from Dotty about Paper

Dotty about Paper is all about providing customers with a personalised experience that allows them to sit back and relax, knowing that the service they’re being provided with is of the highest order. We have a fantastic selection of affordable Christening invitations. Whether your taste is more traditional or leaning towards the contemporary, we have covered all angles. Featured Product: Christening Invitations - Suited & Booted

Christenings or baptisms can be as formal or as informal as you like. Both are held in a church, the Church of England Christening is usually part of a normal Sunday service and a Catholic baptism is usually a separate ceremony. Both are a ceremony to welcome the baby into the religion and is the first step in bringing them up as a Christian. How formal it is will depend on your own personal preference. Last year Prince George was christened at a very small, private ceremony with only 22 guests. This month Swedish Royal, Princess Leonore, was baptised at a much larger ceremony of over 100 guests, illustrating that even in Royal circles a Christening can be as big or as small as you like. If you decide to have your baby christened you will need to meet the local vicar or priest to discuss the ceremony in advance. You may need to attend Church or discuss your faith with them. Godparents will be chosen early in the planning as you may need to give their names to the vicar and you will certainly need to organise a date for the christening when they can attend. When you have booked your ceremony at the church of your choice, you need to invite guests. These will normally only be close family and friends, so phone calls or emails may suffice. However sending out a formal Christening invitation about four weeks in advance can be useful for a number of reasons: 1. The style of invitation indicates the level of formality of the christening to the guests 2. You can provide full details of the times of both the ceremony and the reception afterwards 3. You can enclose any details about the ceremony, which can help guests who are unfamiliar with the service, such as requesting arrival 10 minutes early and expected length of the ceremony. 4. A formal invitation encourages a formal RSVP, to help with catering afterwards 5. An invitation is a nice memento of the event. The wording on an invitation will usually include a reference to “son” or “daughter” and the baby’s name. Although your baby’s christening may not be a formal event, guests would be expected to wear the clothes they would normally wear for a church service, hats are no longer expected, unless you are at a Royal Christening! The baby is traditionally dressed in white, although many parents are now opting for a white suit or dress rather than the family christening gown. Parents and Godparents should wear something “baby friendly” – ie that doesn’t show stains and washes well, in case of little accidents. Photographs tend to be quite informal, but several shots outside the church after the ceremony are a welcome addition to the family album. The reception is often at the home of the parents or grandparents or in a local hall. The food can be whatever you want and depends on the formality of the christening. Children would normally be invited as it is a ceremony for a child, it is shorter than a wedding and the reception tends to just be in the afternoon. Christening gifts are taken to the reception, but would normally be opened later. You should always send a thank you card afterwards.

Behind the scenes of The Card Gallery we have been working on a new and very exciting range of Christening invitations and I just can’t wait to share them with you! This new range will be slightly different from our existing range as it will be printed on luxury soft touch ivory Conqueror 300gsm matte card and will be supplied with ivory hammered envelopes to compliment. The new designs will be available in two sizes, A6 and 145 x 145mm, and will be a postcard style invitation printed on one side, offering something that not only looks great but is affordable too! The new designs will initially appear on the website as a ‘Christening ready to write’ range with the personalised option coming very soon. The same designs will also become available for Naming Ceremony and Baptism, so you are sure to find something that’s suitable for your special occasion. Matching thank you cards will also be available in a new larger 130 x 130mm size and will be printed on high quality ivory Conqueror 300gsm matte card to match. Anyway enough of the boring stuff, here is a sneak peak at some invitations for girls ….. and some invitations for boys ...

The godparent and godchild relationship is a special bond directly between an adult and a child. Aside from any religious aspect, the relationship with a special adult nominated in a naming ceremony is exactly the same. Your naming ceremony gift to your godchild is one way of symbolising what that relationship means to you, setting the tone for how you would like that special bond to develop in the future. There is a vast array of christening, baptism and naming ceremony gifts to choose from - with something to suit everyone. We've created a list of the most popular gift types, from traditional to more unusual ideas for something truly memorable. You can find anything from financial investments and ride-on toys, to books and silverware – something for every budget! Here are a few of our ideas: Traditional silverware Classic book collections Memory/keepsake boxes Personalised gifts Ride-on/rocking toys Classic Disney films Soft toys Religious gifts Ethical gifts Playhouses Special relationship/wishes for the future It can be so hard knowing what to buy as a christening, baptism or naming ceremony present with so much to choose from - there’s also nothing worse than receiving three different silver napkin rings! Speak to the parents and seek advice form them if you aren't sure of what to get.