WIBU to cancel Christening?

[Rubyblues21]

Hi Everyone, this is my first post and I would really appreciate your opinions.

I have been organising my baby's christening for the last few months. I have got a beautiful church with a very welcoming congregation to do the service and I have booked a big hall with a bar for the party afterwards. I was also hoping to book catering, entertainment ect. for the day. Basically I just wanted to make it a really enjoyable day for everyone as well as it being my LO's special day.

I got some really lovely invitations printed (they are really beautiful IMO) which included a date a for RSVPing and a card to send back with an envelope addressed to me. Now unfortunately the RSVP date has come and gone. I sent out 70 invitations (which totalled about 130 people) to various friends and both sides of the family. Out of 70 invitations I have got back 12. I feel so sad about this and I am wondering if I should cancel the hall and just have a small church service, with just our parents and grandparents ect?

I am quite disappointed really, I was really hoping a few people would want to come and celebrate with us. Especially disappointed that not even the god parents have replied as well as a number of close friends and family. I hand delivered most of them, so I know they all arrived.

Should I cancel the hall and all the things I have planned and just say to the few who did reply "thank you so much but its been cancelled due to lack of interest" (or words to that effect).

It doesn't seem worth spending lots of money on a hall, bar, catering, cake and entertainment for like 30 people? I don't mind spending the money if there's a good crowd but now I think I would rather just put that money into her savings account.

What do you think? Feeling a bit sad, but thats life.

Thank you for reading xx

I would call or email and simply say that you need firm numbers for the caterers and would very much appreciate a response by x date as to their intentions.

It's not about the party. You are making solemn promises on behalf of your child. And welcoming them into the church. If you are not bothered about this or not religious then don't have a christening.

To me the reason for people been harsh is ultimately the christening is to welcome the child into the church. My Ds wasn't christened until he was 7..His choice.. However there were 7 adults invited and there children.. It isn't about how big the party is but the fact she is thinking of cancelling the whole thing if enough people don't attend.

"In both cultures a christening gift from a family member or close family friend (the people actually "invited" to the funeral, not the general church congregation obviously) is something the child might keep all their life or throughout childhood"

I was assuming that not all the 130 invitees were family/close friend/godparent, but something more akin to friends/congregation, on whom there is no such expectation.

D'you know what - I am religious and agree with all the "the christening is to welcome the child into the church" comments but have to say your "do" sounds lovely and I would love to go to something like that.

I expect people haven't replied because they don't think they need to for a Christening or something. G'wan, chase them up a bit.