to not go to or give a present for a 'Christening anniversary'...

[poldarkeranddarker]

Some background: BIL and DH don't really get on but speak on the phone about once every month. They have one child who's 2 and a half.
BIL and SIL live about 3 hours away from us. We went to her Christening about two years ago but haven't seen any of them since. We send them all presents every Xmas and get their DD a present for her birthday as well.

Now BIL and SIL have sent us an invitation to a 'Christening Anniversary' for their DD which is basically a party to commemorate when their daughter was Christened.

I've never heard of one of these anniversaries.

We haven't replied yet but DH spoke to MIL last night and she thinks we're BVU to not go and not send a present.

What the actual fuck?

AIBU to think you can't just invent random occasions and expect people to rock up bearing gifts?!

Are you joking? Never heard of this!

I would go and take something very religious as a present.
Something like baby's first prayer book for mummy and daddy to read.
A charm bracelet with all the saints depicted.
A photograph of the Pope

Pope on a rope?

Ellie Anniversary top trumps.

JADS Yes, all their birthdays are in autumn/winter but their Christening anniversary is early April so not exactly the height of summer.
But if thy were wanting to spread out the celebrations then why not just say 'We're move DD's birthday celebration to April/May/June so we have the chance to celebrate in the sun rather than in November. Please don't give gifts and cards in November'.

We wouldn't go even if it were branded as a family party TBH. We don't really get on with BIL and SIL and they live quite far away

The fact that Hallmark may have jumped on the bandwagon (or possibly invented the bandwagon?) does not make this A Thing. And definitely not a "strictly Catholic" thing.

morethan - yes, how about baby's first rosary (or do you only get rosaries after you've been confirmed?).

grabby in the extreme.

Don't go, but do send a religious gift. Can be quite inexpensive, a little rosary perhaps or as PP suggested a children's bible.

I was brought up catholic, went to convent schools (now totally meh about religion) and have NEVER heard of this anniversary bullshit.

playftseforme I was brought up Catholic and have never heard of annual renewals of baptisms!

I'd send a card, maybe a MoonPig one with a picture of the Pope and toddler on it . Definitely wouldn't travel ages to the party or purchase a gift.

definitely don't go, what a ridiculous excuse to have a party! I know families bring their own pressures, and MIL and BIL issues are aplenty in our house too, but stand firm, or you may be stuck celebrating this every year until blessed child is confirmed, when of course the confirmation anniversaries will begin....

I've never heard of such a thing. Go if you like parties. I don't think a present is required.

A Christening Anniversary?

When the fuck did that become a thing??

ImperialBlether renewal of baptism vows is just slipped into ordinary mass. We did it last Sunday, priest replaced the normal creed with reading out the baptismal 'statements' with the response being "I do".

And in the same vein, my dd used to moan about having to study baptism every year at school - linked to annual renewal of baptism. The DC are no longer in a catholic school and dd considers the biggest positive is not having to study baptism every year!!

(Sorry for diversion...)

Wow. Just wow.

While I totally think that this is not a thing, I would probably send a card just to keep a happy relationship with the brother and sister in law. But you are in no way being unreasonable about the stupidness of christening anniversary parties (which I say as a committed Christian).

ImperialBlether - you weren't concentrating, it is always done at Easter. I forgive you

I'm sure when John the Baptist baptised Jesus he didn't remind him to come back in a year, did he?

Majestic - great idea. Maybe like the Queen's Beacon type deals. A MNer in each town, simultaneously letting rip across the nation.

ooh yeah
get them something really religious as a 'gift'
and attend just to see the look on their faces as they open their Holy Joe pressie.

That's stupid :P

I was brought up Catholic and have never heard of annual renewals of baptisms

It's part of the Easter mass, if I remember rightly

yanbu
what a load of tosh.
mine were christened and you were just suppose to light their candle each year(i think)

Send a pope-on-a-rope soap.

If you've got a plus1 can I go ... Totally want to see what a christening anniversary is! ... I'll even supply the gift! large statue of Jesus for their lounge