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?

Ooh cross post annie , chocolate crucifix, fair enough!

Never seen one of these and if I did to be honest I'd think it chavtastic!

You could have your communion wine and bread in a party bag........now there's a new concept!

It's getting to the stage when play dates will require a party bag

That is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.

Christenings are not Birthday Parties so a party bag would be totally inappropriate!

Is she Jewish? They give party bags at bar mitzvahs...

I've never heard that before!

The idea of a chocolate crucifix has completely turned my opinion on this. OP, how could you neglect to have party bags?

When my dses were little, we went to our friends' baby's christening, and the children were all given a bag of sweets to take away. We did not expect this, and it was the only time I ever saw or heard of this happening. Another friend's baby was christened during Jubilee year (I am the baby's godmother) - my three dses were the only children there apart from hers, and she gave them a commemorative jubilee coin each - again, we did not expect this at all, and neither did the boys.

We certainly didn't do it at any of the dses' dedications.

And even if it was a normal thing (which it is not, IMO), she was very rude to ask afterwards. You go to a party or an event because you like the hosts, and hopefully you have a good time - you don't deserve a present for attending!

Is there a purveyor of chocolate crucifixes? Or does one have to get creative in your own kitchen?

Hershey's do one as an Easter gift, or you can buy the moulds from ebay! I found plenty of images when I googled chocolate crucifix. The things MN makes you do!

YANBU. I hate these christenings that basically turn in to a kids party.

yanbu, your friend sounds rude and grabby- does she only give to receive?

Sometimes Italians/Spanish do little gifts like favours. Sugared almonds etc.

Isn't the clue in the name?

Was it a party?

I let the kids take away the colouring books and excess lollipops from the buffet... Less to clear up

A christening is to welcome the child into the church not an excuse for a party. There's nothing wrong with having a celebration afterwards if that's what the parents want (nothing wrong if they don't either) but expecting a party bag is just wrong.

A party bag with some rosary beads and a lump of original sin would be lovely.

at squoosh

And a cupcake sprinkled with Purgatory.

I've never seen a chocolate crucifix. It sounds... well, odd as a chocolate treat.

Well possibly it's odd. In my mind its very chunky.

I can't imagine they're very effective at piercing a vampire's heart.

ON A STICK!!!

Does she mean "favours" like you get at a wedding? The sugared almond things in a pretty bag?

I think I've seen that before.