Christening

[newyearsresolurion]

How much did you donate to the church when you child got christened ( UK)? Just that really I just need needs ideas.

£300 minimum is a fair starting point. They're not offering a basic pizza delivery service or an extortionate wedding either.

Is this RC or C of E? There are different cultures around donations for baptism in the two denominations. In the C of E we don't charge but do out out a collection plate and I say to the assembled family and friends that we are not state funded so please be generous. Most parents will give around £30-50. If you can afford to give more then do. Our fuel bills this winter will be appalling.

Do you mean just the parents or the congregation in total? We did not donate that much!

C of E . They're not charging at all. We just have to make a contribution. Thanks for replies.

We did £50 and then the guests put in too so probably 300-400 hours n total

Is it your church? Or one youre going to just for the baptism? In all the churches I’ve worked for a donation is putting something in the collection instead of your regular giving, but if you’re already giving as part of your tithe you don’t need to give again.

Our christenings are done as part of the normal Sunday service we're not booking out the church for sole use on a Saturday afternoon so I hardly think £300 is required.

For DGS's christening in November I'll add £50 to my regular donation & as it'll be the biggest congregation they've had this year I'm sure they'll take a decent amount in the collection plate.

We were very clearly told it was £80, but that was 17 years ago. I'd guess now £100 if it's not part of the main service. I think they don't want to make it too expensive, so people aren't put off having a baptism.

We put £50 in the collection and the vicar seemed surprised like we'd put in more than typical - CofE.

Ours got christened in 2 different (RC) churches, first one very clearly stated at least £50 when we were booking the service, the 2nd priest made no mention of any sort of donation and seemed surprised when we gave £100. 2nd service was much nicer. I think it depends on the priest.

Depends on the priest as someone else said. I gave £100 for each of my children

I don't think that is expected anywhere.

I mean, in my tradition, the Christening service is part of the usual Sunday morning service. It is nice if all the guests put something in the collection plate but there is no "expected donation".

I think if it is a Church where there is a separate service at another time then that is different - you then should think about covering paying for organist (or pianist or whatever they have); Vicar / Minister / Priest; usually some other steward or person welcoming people, etc.; heating the building ; and so forth.