Who would expect an invitation to a baptism?

[boardingschoolbaby]

I assumed just family, DH thinks we should be inviting everyone- friends, close work colleagues etc.
It is a simple Catholic baptism at our local church, separate service not part of Mass.
If you worked closely with someone or were their friend, would you expect an invitation? I don't want people to feel obliged to attend something which they would not normally give two hoots over.

I'd be relieved not to go.

If someone asked me I'd be frantically search ing for excuses.

All the christenings I've been to have consisted of family and close friends only. Your colleagues won't want to attend.

Definitely not - like squoosh I really wouldn't want to go.

I'd expect to include family, Godparents and (maybe) some really close friends.

Depends...what are you doing after?

I only invited Godparents and their spouse plus children, and immediate family only.

Mind - we did take everyone out for a meal afterwards, booze included! I did invite Father but he declined

No way.
Grandparents, godparents, family. Thats it.

I'd say family and godparents. DH would say friends too. That's one reason our DC haven't been done yet!

We invited parents, siblings and our closest friends only. I'd only expect invites to family baptisms

My daughter is being baptized next sunday and it will be me and her dad, both sets of grandparents and two sets of godparents

I couldnt be bothered with a big thing i'm not that type of person! We're going to the pub over the road for a carvery afterwards

Personally if i was invited to one not as a godparent i'd find it a pain up the backside finding something to wear and having to buy a present etc - but maybe i'm just a misery!

I've been to the christenings/baptisms of most of my friends' children but I wouldn't say it was necesssarily the norm.

That is what I thought. Thank you all- I will show him your replies.

Afterwards I had thought that we could go the really nice "gastro" pub not far from the church and take everyone for a lovely meal- thinking about 12 people, but his suggestion that we needed to invite over 40 would put an end to that possibility!

Inviting so many people to a Christening seems odd and grabby, to be honest. It is a religious ceremony, welcoming a child to the family of Christ, nothing to do with his colleagues!

Family, Godparents and close friends. especially Christian friends for whom it would mean something.

We've been to the christening of both of my DH colleagues girls but we're more friends now, but I've been to the christenings of lots of friends children. I suppose it depends on your relationships. I love christenings

I don't think he is suggesting it for "grabby" purposes. He is just very very overexcited and proud of his baby and doesn't always see that the vast majority of people really couldn't care less about whatever "amazing" thing Ds did today. I just need a few unbiased opinions to put to him to show that people would not be expecting to be asked and so therefore would not be remotely offended not to be asked to come.

yanbu. I hate this trend for having the christening then a big do with 100 guests, kids entertainers, disco etc... it's just tacky

Think it doesnt matter what we say on here its up to you and dp.maybe you should compromise if he wants to invite some friends and collegues.

Friends of ours did a Facebook event for their babys Christening, and invited EVERYBODY on their friends list. Hundreds in fact. Family and those who wanted to come, RSVPd yes, so in the end they had 40 people to the Christening and to the pub after. People paid their own meals.

12 for a nice pub meal after the Mass sounds perfect, let all the grandparents and godparents coo over him to their hearts content.

Low key, laid back = perfect.

your work folk won't want to go sorry they just won't it is usually people who will be in the babies life that go to christenings imo

Family and Godparents. Close friends possibly, but if they're that close then they're probably Godparents anyway!

No colleagues.

Family, local or not.
Close friends (eg maybe former best man and maid of honour if within a few years of wedding), local or not.
Local friends with children.
Church friends (ie an open invitation to the congregation the Sunday before).

Most family would go; some friends; a handful of the congregation (who wouldn't necessarily expect to go to the "do" afterwards).

I had family and close friends but mainly because it was overseas where the family are based.

It depends really, I don't have the sort of friendships with my friends where I would invite them to something like that. I prefer one on one friendships to groups and tend to keep people in boxes if you know what I mean.

But my boss invited me and all her work colleagues to her daughter naming ceremony because she's that kind of person that likes to be uber social and have big events and stuff.

I guess it's up to you really, can you compromise and perhaps agree a few friends but not work colleagues who aren't good mates or people that aren't mutual friends.