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 don't think it's unreasonable, but I have to say one of the best christenings I went to had an open bar for two hours in the afternoon (the couple ran a hotel) and a live band and I was totally mashed by 4pm - it was a great day out (but these days (in my dotage) tea, sandwiches and cake do probably appeal more :-D

"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 have never been to a christening like that. Every one I have been to has been back at the house.

I'm not defending it Bunbaker and I should have prefaced it with every Catholic christening I've been too. It's just how it is in my family's culture. Of course I have been to non-Catholic christenings which were a slice of cake and polite hobnobbing at the family home and I even managed to not disgrace myself by roaring where's the bar too

i htink big christenings at village halls are a bit naff tbh

I think people should hold the christening they want, whether at their home, in a village hall or in a pub function room!

Absolutely squoosh.

We did serve alcohol at DD's christening, but not very much.

NO !
we need to judge

Don't get why anyone would expect alcohol at a Christening? Might just be me though, I don't drink.

We did the same as DS1 1st birthday party a few years ago, hired a church hall, provided lots of food and soft drinks. Some family members were trying to persuade us to have the party at a social club instead as it has a bar (we refused). A christening or child's birthday should be about the special day for the child and parents, not a p*ss up!!

I am a Salvo and we have dedications instead of Christenings. No alcohol is served at all. I would not find the lack of alcohol strange but because of my upbringing I would find the presence of alcohol very strange indeed

Lego, if your house or flat is small and you have quite a few family and friends to invite, why wouldn't you hire a hall? It's not naff, it's practical.

This is just one of ose things where it's absolutely okay to do it however you like. I'd avoid a nude scuba diving christening, though, OP. But that's just me.

I think the OP should do what she wants.

But at any celebration the choice is not usually between no alcohol and a piss up. i appreciate the OP's relatives have issues with alcohol. But I have been to many many celebrations with alcohol where absolutely no one gets pissed. Instead people have a glass of wine or a beer because they like the taste.

I've always had jugs of Pimms and/or Bucks Fizz at christenings/birthdays for my DC. No one gets drunk but its a nice "festive" feel. You are not wrong, however, not to provide any alcohol.

Chunderella - I would NEED alcohol to attend a nude scuba diving christening with my relatives.

Bucks fizz with low alcohol content is a good idea. Where I work, this is what we do for celebrations. It is almost impossible to get even merry on it, but is usually popular.

I find all these descriptions of 'christenings' rather strange.
The christening procedure is laid out in the prayer book of your particular denomination.
If you have a party afterwards that's fine. But it is just a party: it isn't any part of the christening.

YANBU. A ta and cakes christening would be lovely. A christening with belligerent drunk relatives wouldn't.

You could offer bucks fizz or a glass of bubbly if there are any formal toasts, but no need unless you want to.

YANBU.

I have been to 1 christening that ended up in crazy fight due to too much drink being consumed by various members of the child's family (it was held in a pub function room) it was talked about for weeks after and I felt so sorry for the child that was what would be remembered about that day.

YANBU. I hate these big tacky booze filled christenings that people have now. It's not really appropriate and people just it as an excuse to get pissed.