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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not provide loads of alcohol at a party?

113 replies

Scruffles · 02/09/2016 23:04

We're having a christening party at home, there's going to be about 35 adults plus children. I have no idea how much alcohol to provide! When I was talking to a couple of friends about it they said that people will bring a bottle of whatever they drink so don't worry about it but I'm not sure. It doesn't feel right to assume people will bring a bottle and not provide much but I'm putting on a big buffet so don't want to spend loads of money on alcohol that won't get drunk.

Do people normally bring a bottle for something like this? Beginning to wish I'd just gone for somewhere with a bar now!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 02/09/2016 23:06

Christening? Maybe provide something to toast with? Who gets pissed at a christening? Confused

KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes · 02/09/2016 23:07

I wouldn't expect alcohol at a religious ceremony.

Just serve tea and nice lemonade.

Karoleann · 02/09/2016 23:10

Unless you've specified bring a bottle, people won't bring drink with them.

Some large stores will do wine on a sale or return basis, although you need to ask in advance. How local are the people you're inviting? For a daytime event, I'd assume that half the adults are driving (if they're not local) and will only have a glass. The others will maybe have 3 glasses or a couple of bottles of beer. Prosecco is a good daytime option.

OrsonWellsHat · 02/09/2016 23:11

Tea, coffee, soft drinks, naice sandwiches and cakes. This is my experience of christening parties, you don't want a piss up Smile

Scruffles · 02/09/2016 23:12

The last christening I was at the party was in a bar so people had a few drinks. I wasn't thinking of everyone getting pissed but having a couple of glasses of wine or a couple of beers as part of the celebration.

Is that not the done thing then?!

OP posts:
CafeCremeEtCroissant · 02/09/2016 23:13

No I wouldn't take alcohol to a christening because I don't see it as a 'party'. However, I'd happily drink it if it was being offered and I'd provide it but wouldn't expect people to being if if I was holding the christening, but if only do wine, bubbles, beer & soft drinks/water/juice. Not spirits - too many options/mixers etc

CafeCremeEtCroissant · 02/09/2016 23:14

I think it's nice. Why not?

CelticPromise · 02/09/2016 23:15

We are Catholic. We definitely get pissed at christenings Grin and weddings, and first communions... I wouldn't lay on loads for a daytime party though.

Bellabelloo · 02/09/2016 23:15

I don't think people would take a bottle along to a christening but I would definitely serve wine/champagne/beer with a buffet.

Scruffles · 02/09/2016 23:17

I was thinking 5 bottles of red wine, 5 bottles of white and a crate of beer plus a load of fizzy drink and juice. Might add a few bottles of something fizzy for a toast too then.

OP posts:
Musicaltheatremum · 02/09/2016 23:17

The last Christening I went to finished at 10pm. It was great.

Musicaltheatremum · 02/09/2016 23:19

I bought loads of wine for a party and some didn't get drunk. To stop me Downing the lot over the next few weeks I took it back to the supermarket. So you could get more and keep it hidden and take it back if you didn't need it.

MrsHam13 · 02/09/2016 23:20

Well you get about three large glasses of wine out a bottle. So that's 15 glasses of white and 15 of red. Rose?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/09/2016 23:20

Id like a glass of something alcoholic at a christening, we had some 'raise your glass' type speeches at the dcs.

AndNowItsSeven · 02/09/2016 23:22

Three glasses? How large are your glasses Ham?

Leeds2 · 02/09/2016 23:22

I wouldn't think of taking a bottle to a christening, unless I was warned before. Think it depends on how long you want the celebration to last.

YelloDraw · 02/09/2016 23:25

Three glasses? How large are your glasses Ham?

A large glass official measure is 1/3 of a bottle or 250 ml. This is why you get so drunk after 'only 2 glasses of wine' when out. Agree at home it is unusual to pour 250 ml into one glass in one go.

SaucyJack · 02/09/2016 23:26

I think you should let people know if you want it to be that sort of party, and that they're welcome to bring a bottle.

It's not necessarily something people would think of for a christening.

wombattoo · 02/09/2016 23:29

Christenings are always piss ups in my circle, but I've never been to one at someone's home. They are all held where there is a bar. Hope all goes well OP Thanks

Huldra · 02/09/2016 23:30

I think you would need to specify bring a bottle, if it looks to be that sort of a gathering and you are friendlh with the known drinkers. Or get enough to cover a toast + couple of wine boxes. It depends on what the guests are expecting really.

I am an atheist but come from an evangelical baptist background, we had dedications for the actual congregation. Then maybe with polite wine.
My husband and family declare themselves atheist but really have never given religion a thought. Apart from an
odd expectation that there should be a christening. Basically a party, with lots of beer.

Scruffles · 02/09/2016 23:31

I think I'll buy more just in case then but make sure it's stuff we like just in case we get left with a load! I'd feel cheeky suggesting that people bring anything so I'll plan to provide it all.

OP posts:
Zombieswillreign · 02/09/2016 23:33

No alcohol at any of my kids christenings...not the done thing.plus it was 11 am on a Sunday morning...who gets pissed then???

Scruffles · 02/09/2016 23:34

Wombattoo, I didn't bother with hiring a room with a bar anywhere as there was only going to be about 20 of us so it seemed pointless. We're now up to 45!

OP posts:
Scruffles · 02/09/2016 23:34

It'll be mid afternoon for us!

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 02/09/2016 23:42

If it is a social event, morning or afternoon, not a boozeup, at home, I think a 150ml glass is adequate.

Assume a couple of glasses each (drivers and sensible people should have 1 or less).

A good tip is to conceal the bottles/cases in several different places.

Otherwise some pisshead is sure to find where it is, and open an extra dozen bottles and tip them down peoples necks, convinced that they are the life and soul of the party.

Have someone washing and drying glasses in the kitchen. By arrangement, some supermarts will lend or hire them if you are buying wine for an event. Have plenty of adult soft drinks handy and lots of ice.