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AIBU?

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Original poster

Christening Etiquette?

112 replies

laughloseya · 04/04/2026 21:58

A friend and I have been invited to another friend’s son’s christening. We aren’t close friends with christening parents, and haven’t known them long but we do really like them and are pleased to be invited.

My friend has suggested we skip the ceremony and just go to the party afterwards. I have said absolutely not, that’s rude as fuck and I like the ceremonies anyway. My friend says I’m behind the times and it’s perfectly normal now.

AIBU? Do people really do this?

OP posts:
Dinosweetpea · 04/04/2026 22:06

No, of course they don't!
I'd be appalled if you did that at my child's christening.

WhitegreeNcandle · 04/04/2026 22:06

Completely unreasonable to just go to the party. The church bit is the only bit that matters. Suitable gift and £20 on the church plate as you leave.

pizzaHeart · 04/04/2026 22:05

you can’t skip ceremony and just go to the party unless you are only invited to the party.
Has the ceremony place mentioned in your invite? If yes, you are invited to the ceremony and should go there.

Amba1998 · 04/04/2026 22:05

That’s weird AF

I am not religious but I still go out of respect and friendship

the only time I did what your friend did was because my baby fell asleep in the car so I waited for her to wake up but then it was over anyway. But I didn’t intend to miss that part!

Purpleturtle45 · 04/04/2026 22:05

Easterbunnyishotandcross · 04/04/2026 22:01

If you agree with the meaning of a christening then attend. All of it.
If you don't then stay home.

You don't need to agree with it to celebrate it! That's like saying if you aren't religious you shouldn't attend a wedding in a church, mosque, synagogue etc.

cadburygorilla · 04/04/2026 22:03

I would be disgusted to hear of anyone being invited to a Christening and only turn up for the party

Original poster
laughloseya · 04/04/2026 22:03

Easterbunnyishotandcross · 04/04/2026 22:01

If you agree with the meaning of a christening then attend. All of it.
If you don't then stay home.

I disagree with this. I’m not religious and don’t believe in God but its important to my friends and so I go when their kids are christened.

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 04/04/2026 22:02

Easterbunnyishotandcross · 04/04/2026 22:01

If you agree with the meaning of a christening then attend. All of it.
If you don't then stay home.

That’s weird advice. If people don’t believe in marriages in churches do you also encourage them to snub their friends wedding invites?

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 04/04/2026 22:01

The ceremony is the special moment for them, just like at a wedding. If you’ve been invited to it all you should go to it all! It’s only about 15 mins! And as you say it’s interesting

Easterbunnyishotandcross · 04/04/2026 22:01

If you agree with the meaning of a christening then attend. All of it.
If you don't then stay home.

sophiasnail · 04/04/2026 22:00

I think it would be a very odd thing to do at a baptism.

cardibach · 04/04/2026 21:59

I don’t know what ‘people’ do. I wouldn’t do that.

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