Christening party ideas

The service takes twenty minutes. The party takes the rest of the day, and it's the part people ask about.

Below: a running order that works, food that survives a room full of relatives, decorations, keepsake activities and what a UK christening party actually costs.

A running order that works

• 11am service, 12.30pm arrival at the venue. Give yourself the gap for photos.
• Food out by 1pm - babies and grandparents both need feeding early.
• Speeches at 2pm, short: parents thank everyone, godparents say a line.
• Cake at 2.30pm while people are still in one room.
• Wind down by 4pm. It's a daytime event and everyone is tired.

Home, hall or venue

• At home: cheapest, warmest, and you're clearing up at 6pm. Best for under 30.
• Church hall: usually £30 to £80 for the afternoon, often free if you're a regular. Bring your own everything.
• Pub function room: often free hire with a food minimum spend. Easiest option by far.
• Restaurant: a set menu removes all catering stress, but limits the mingling.
• Garden: lovely in June, a disaster in April without a gazebo.

Food that works

• Afternoon tea: sandwiches, scones, cake stands. The default for a reason.
• Buffet: quiches, sausage rolls, salads, one hot tray. Feeds 40 without a kitchen.
• Hog roast or BBQ for a summer garden do.
• A separate kids' table with plain food - nobody's toddler eats the salmon.
• One good cake instead of two mediocre desserts.

Decorations

• Keep it to two colours plus white. Christenings look best understated.
• A banner behind the cake table gives you the photo backdrop.
• Table confetti and a cake topper do more per pound than anything else.
• Fresh flowers from the supermarket in jam jars - £15 dresses six tables.
• A framed photo of the baby's first months at the entrance.

Keepsake activities

• A guest book where everyone writes a wish for the child's eighteenth.
• A time capsule box guests drop notes into, sealed on the day.
• A thumbprint tree print, framed afterwards.
• A disposable camera on each table.
• A candle lit at the party and again on each christening anniversary.

What it costs in the UK

• At home for 25: £150 to £300 all in.
• Church hall plus buffet for 40: £350 to £600.
• Pub function room, food and drinks for 40: £600 to £1,000.
• Restaurant set menu for 30: £900 to £1,500.
• Cake: £60 to £150 for a decorated two-tier, or £25 and a topper if you buy plain.

Shop christening decorations

Cards for the day

Blank inside, posted first class the same working day.

How to write it so it lands

• Book the venue before you confirm the church date if the venue is the harder booking.
• Ask two people in advance to take photos - everyone assumes someone else is.
• Put the cake somewhere with good light. It's the most photographed table.

Where to shop next

• What is a christening?
• Christening gift ideas
• Christening gift ideas for a godson
• Christening party ideas
• Christening cake ideas
• Godparent proposal ideas
• Godparent gift ideas
• Baptism card messages
• What to write in a communion card
• Communion gift ideas
• Confirmation card messages
• Bar mitzvah gift ideas
• Holy Communion explained
• Christening cards
• Christening gifts
• Godparent gifts
• First Holy Communion cards
• Confirmation cards
• Christening decorations
• Christening celebration ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas

Frequently asked questions

How long should a christening party last?

Three to four hours after the service. Most run 12.30pm to 4pm, which suits babies, grandparents and anyone driving home.

How much does a christening party cost in the UK?

£150 to £300 at home for 25 people, £350 to £600 for a hall and buffet for 40, and £600 to £1,000 for a pub function room with food and drinks.

Who do you invite to a christening?

Godparents, both sets of grandparents, close family and the friends who'll still be around when the child is grown. Most UK christenings run 25 to 50 guests.