re. christening party bags

[ShadowFall]

I didn't think that I was doing anything out of the ordinary at the time, but now my friend has got me wondering.

DS2 was christened a few weeks ago. We invited family and some friends, including their kids, and provided refreshments (buffet) afterwards at our house. Kids played in house and garden with our DC and theirs toys and all seemed fine.

We did not give out any party bags because I didn't think christenings celebrations were really a party bag sort of occasion - I don't recall ever being to a christening party where party bags were handed out. Doing party bags simply did not occur to me.

Anyway. Today I was talking to a friend who'd been to the christening. . She said that she had been a bit surprised about her DC not getting a party bag but didn't like to mention it at the time. (Not really sure why she felt the need to mention it now!)

WIBU to not get party bags for the kids who came?

Your friend is nuts.

What?! A christening party bag. Jeeze. YANBU

Would never have occurred to me either to do a party bag or expect one from a christening.

Seriously? Never ever had a party bag at a christening before!

Ay?? A Christening party bag? Never heard of it, your friend is quite clearly bonkers.

YANBU your friends confused...

Next they will be handing out party bags at funerals.

She's nuts. A piece of cake in a box would be nice (but not expected) but party bag, nuts.

What???!!!!! YANBU.

Never heard of this before, she must be confused?

For heaven's sake, can people not go to any occasion now without being bribed? It's absolutely not usual and no reasonable person expects it. She is also being quite rude to bring it up.

Is your friend odd in other ways too?

What a ludicrous idea.

Is she of the same denomination as you, OP?

Because if not, then I'd assume that was at the root of the differing expectations. Probably too late and too counterproductive to raise it again, but I think if it is the case then all you need do is point out it is not the norm in your denomination.

Yes, but in which denomination is it the norm to hand out party bags at a Christening? I've never heard of it. I am Catholic and actually I think it would be considered bad taste and inappropriate to give out goody bags to the children afterwards.

I was getting worried that I'd been inadvertently rude there - relieved to see that others think party bags would be unusual!

Friend is not religious at all.

Friend sounds pretty rude as well as nuts tbh.

YANBU. I have never heard of party bags being handed out at a christening. Some people just seem determined on racking up the expense for every single occasion and event and turning them all into bloody circuses.

Did she mention where she got them before, did she say? Also, what did you say to her?!

Friend is on drugs.

Christening party bags??! Never heard of it. And have been to countless christenings.

She'll be complaining she had to go to church before she got to go to the party next. Nuts.

I said that I didn't think it was usual to do party bags at christening s.

Friend looked very skeptical but didn't press the issue.

maybe its just a matter of time, my mum was in the states recently for my nieces first communion, there were party bags at that, chocolate crucifix included!

Yanbu. What would you put in them?? Never seen Church themed plastic party bag tat in the shops.

Has she ever been to a christening before? She sounds a bit daft to be honest; first for expecting party bags, and second for raising the issue with you.

birthday party bags and wedding please-be-quiet-in-the-speeches gift bags... I have heard of. never heard of any other.

1. There is no such thing as a Christening party bag.
2. Even if it had been a birthday party; party bags are not obligatory and it's as rude and vulgar to question you on it after the event as it would have been to bring it up at the time.

What on God's earth did she imagine would have been in the bag that she can't let it go?