Infant Baptism occurs when a baby becomes one month old and is often the first big event in a baby's life.That is the traditional to baptize a child however many people wait a few months now between three and six months and that is perfectly okay. Miara is 10-month-old when she was baptized. It is entirely up to you, parent, on when you would like to do it. You will see the terms Christening and Baptism mentioned but please know Baptism is the more proper term to use. You typically hear the statement of someone having a "Christening Party for a Baby's Baptism"
When babies are Baptism, parents promise to help their child grow up as Christians. During the ceremony, water is poured on the baby to symbolize a fresh start with God and the baby is dressed in a nice christening gown or for boys a white suit or white vest and whit shirt is acceptable. Usually, the parents must be members of the church where the baptism takes place and participate in the church with giving donations. If you are not an active member at a local church, contact churches for their standards and Baptism regulations in order to have your child baptized.
To ensure that no one misses this celebrated event, send invitations to everyone you would like to see in attendance two or three weeks prior to the date. The invitation should include the date, time and location of the ceremony as well as the names of both parents and the child.
Prior to the invitations being sent out, the parents choose godparents for their baby. You can honor a special friend or family member that you feel will be a good role model for them as they grow up and/or take on the role as a caretaker, should anything were to happen to them. Whatever your reason for choosing whomever you do, make sure you give the decision a lot of thought as the role is important to your child's life. Please know while a few Baptisms are private affairs, most are held.during a church service, where several children may be Baptized at once. This is how our daughter was baptized and I thought it was done very nicely.
After the ceremony is complete, it is nice to invite your guests to a brunch or dinner. Some parents choose to invite their guests to their home, while others might go to a restaurant nearby. If you have it at your home, be sure to decorate it before leaving for the church. Simple decorations would include balloons and baptism confetti with paper plates and matching napkins. If you have a morning Christening, a brunch is perfect. If it is on a late afternoon, it calls for a dinner.
During the celebration, you can have a toast to your guests praising the special occasion as well as thinking them for being apart of it. You can also have godparents say a few kind words if they are not shy. Prior to your guests leaving, it is nice to give them a baptism thank you favor to remember the occasion.
The loom bracelets my sisters and I made last summer, served as thank-you gifts.
Check out more of Miara's Baptism photos below for some ideas for your baby's big day!
Last June 29, we celebrated Miara's Baptism. We wanted to create party decorations that had a pretty pastel theme. I made white and pink banderitas, pink and white pom-poms and pinwheels for the party decorations.
The table included a birth print, home-made cupcakes, Pancit Malabon, Boneless Bangus Milkfish, Chicken and our staple food, rice.
We thought it would be nice idea for the guests to leave Miara a message, something that can be kept and read when she gets older. Migs and I came up with the idea of a wish board. I put sticky pads and ballpens where they've written their messages to Miara. And I made a wish board that the guests could put their messages to.
Next to the wish board we framed a poem that explained what the guests needed to do:
Here is Miara's Baptism Wish Board,
Although it looks a little bare,
But it would look so pretty
With the thoughts you want to share.
So please pick up the pen and write,
A joke, a note, a quote
Then hang it on the board
And watch the wishes float.
When the day is over,
We can't wait to have a look,
We will keep the little labels,
In Miara's very special book.
To finish the table, we hung personalized bunting above the table. Beautiful!
Your baby's Baptism is truly a once in a lifetime event. The memories of this day should be your number one thought so be sure save a copy of all the details such as invitations, photos, details, favor and be sure to have your child's baptism gown or outfit professionally dry-cleaned and sealed in a garment box or container to preserve for years to come.
