To not have alcohol at ds's christening party?

[PumpkinPie2013]

My ds is being christened on Sunday and we have hired a small hall for a party to celebrate the event.

For various reasons we haven't bought any alcohol for the party;

1. Some of my family members can get a bit "giddy" with alcohol but not in a good way and I don't want my son's christening to be spoiled (other family events have been spoiled in this way)

1. We have spent quite a lot on food/tea/coffee and fruit juices already to make sure everyone can enjoy the buffet and providing alcohol for around 25 people would be costly.

To me, dh, his family and some of mine it won't matter at all but I have a feeling some people are going to be 'put out' and find it odd.

I know it's our day etc. but does anyone think it's unreasonable to not have alcohol?

I

Oops!
It's up to you Op.
You're paying and organising.
It seems sad to me that people can't enjoy a get together without alcohol/getting pissed.

Thanks so much for all the replies

We are going to get a small amount of cava for a toast but that's all

The party will start around 3pm and finish around 5pm so hopefully all will be well!

"Bun I think that Purple means time not age."

D'oh!

I have never been to a christening where whiskey was offered. Where does this happen?

chunderella where do you come from where christenings are piss ups? I have never been to one where people get drunk.

Good for you OP, sounds very reasonable.

When mine where christened, I made a hot buffet for everyone - whole congregation as they had become like family by then. I didn't even consider alcohol . Made no odds though, everyone had a good time and my church family are still as close.

I hope you, your DS and the rest of your family really well.

Good bless you

YANBU.

As a guest, I'd probably be disappointed not to find any alcohol. But I wouldn't make a fuss or say anything. It's your party and your choice.

"As a guest, I'd probably be disappointed not to find any alcohol."

If we have a christening in church during the early service would you really feel ready for an alcoholic drink at 10.30?

Forgot to mention it is a CofE (Anglican) christening

only we got comments when we took ds to sunday school for the first time, the schools round here aren't affiliated to churches and most dc are never or rarely seen again after they've been done

We offered a glass of bubbly for the toast, but that was back at my parents' house and after lunch. My ILs are teetotal and my side aren't big drinkers so there was fizzy fruit juice which quite a few people chose

Thank you chunderella. We are C of E and English (although I am a complete mongrel from my mum's side of the family) and christenings are generally a low key celebration and definitely not a piss up.

Bunbaker - I don't think OP said it was going to be at 10.30? Have checked back on the thread but not seen that.

I wouldn't say christenings in Ireland are anywhere near as boozy as weddings or funerals.

No I know she didn't. Our church only does christenings during the morning service, which is why I picked out 10.30. I guess that from my experience I think it is unusual to expect alcoholic drinks at a christening, that's all.

YABU
champers for a toast

The last christening I went to was at 5pm, that was followed by a chilled out barbecue at their home which had booze. Was only a family affair though.

Well, it isn't a piss up but I think a champagne toast or fizzy something is entirely in order because it's a celebration. 10.30 service over at 11.45 - back to house by 12, glass of champagne, lunch, cake, toasts, wave goodbye at 2pm. Not really time for anyone to get pissed.

OK. Well to answer your question if there was champagne for a toast or bucks fizz or something at a morning post-christening party, then I'd probably have a glass and enjoy it. But I wouldn't expect it either.

I would assume alcohol would be on offer at a christening but a long as there were non-alcoholic drinks available I wouldn't care, if you offered nothing to drink or eat then I'd judge. The small glass of Cava is perfect, especially considering the troublesome family members.

That sounds like a good compromise OP.

I would judge if there was no food, but not if there was no alcohol.

I think the only dry church event I can remember was my own first communion, where there was a breakfast for communicants in the church hall - no booze because of the location. Apart from that, christening receptions are held in a local club or hotel (posh) with varying degrees of cash behind the bar, then everyone gets wired in.

I did go to my first West coast (Scotland) funeral fairly recently. The reception was in the local Miners club - soup and a steak pie dinner, then they handed out vodka and whiskey, lemonade and irn bru on the tables. It was 11 am. I actually loved it (although refrained as driving) as it was a walking funeral. These are my traditions, after all.

But to go back to op, seems like a good plan

Ive never been to a christening that didn't have alcohol