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Parties/celebrations

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Original poster

Please help with Baptism celebration.

30 replies

LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 11:38

As a non Catholic helping to organise the celebration for a Catholic Baptism, is there anything I need to know.

I've jsut found out the cake needs to be home made rather than bought (a tragic mess may result! ) Is there any thing else?

OP posts:
lilyloo · 02/05/2008 11:48

Why's that ?

I am catholic and have had two catholic baptisms for my dc's both with bought cakes whoops !

ChippyMinton · 02/05/2008 11:51

Remember to invite the priest, and have whiskey to hand if it's an Irish family.
Didn't know about the cake thing, although my mum did make one for my DC anyway.

girlfrommars · 02/05/2008 11:59

Ha! The idea of my mother baking cakes! My siblings and I managed to be baptised without any homemade cakes.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 12:12

Aparently it's bad luck to buy a cake, as in the old days babies were born so soon after the wedding people couldn't afford a big bought cake. There will be lots of whisky - that's already sorted. So far there will be no teas or coffees, because people won't be cold, as it's the summer. "If they want a drink they can go to the bar" should I sugest (insist on) teas and coffees? It's being held in a room in a pub,which I haven't actually seen. Is it supposed to be decorated? White ballons or something? And what about party favours for the children?

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lilyloo · 02/05/2008 12:15

i never decorated the room for ours but have been to ones where they have put a few balloons up.
Maybe some bubbles for the kids if it's summer and they can go outside. Or childrens entertainer , bouncy castle ?
Oh dear 'bad luck' we have had our fair share of that lately hope that's not the reason

lilyloo · 02/05/2008 12:16

I would also have tea / coffee option for the drivers / non drinkers.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 12:19

If the priest comes it will be me stuck in the corner talking to him. I just know I will.

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aquababe · 02/05/2008 12:20

second the tea and coffee idea even in the summer
buy a homemade one from a bakery no-one will care.

is it just the celebration your helping with.

I didn't know that many priests will insist on a white shawl (as opposed to cream or ivory) (and I am a catholic)

girlfrommars · 02/05/2008 12:28

I know in the past that a layer of the wedding cake was sometimes used as the Christening cake, as babies often came within 12 months of the marriage.

Don't worry about the priest. There are boring,arsey ones but also nice, funny ones, just like in any other group of people.

When I was a teenager my parish priest used to tack on a prayer for his football team during the mass if they had a big match coming up.

Tommy · 02/05/2008 12:31

FGS - bad luck to buy a cake
You've just exorcised all the bad things away if you realy need to look at it like that

bad luck - load of tosh

It's just a party - doesn't matter if it's baptism, wedding or funeral - food, wine, people - that's it

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 12:32

What if it's an antique shawl that has yellowed with age, but was once white?

Although eveyting is white so far!

Althogh not aplicable here, if a toddler is being baptised, do they have to wear all white?

OP posts:
Tommy · 02/05/2008 12:33

sorry - got a bit cross and carried away there.

Balloons are nice - and myabe bubbles or something if there are lots of children. We didn't have anything like for ours' but DS1 did make a "Happy Baptism" picture for DS3 and stuck it on the front door

lilyloo · 02/05/2008 12:34

Our catholic priest doesn't bother what they wear just asks to bring something white that he can bless.
He more concerned if you regularly come to church !
Apparantly loads of people getting their lo's baptised at the moment we can't get dd2 done until August.

windygalestoday · 02/05/2008 12:35

my boys were all baptised together they wore chinos and pale blue shirts

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 12:36

Now I'm really confused about the cake. Wedding cakes would be fruit, and I've been told it needs to be a white sponge.

I did ask my mum to save a layer of my weeding cake, which she did, but didn't remove the flowers. The reulst was VERY mouldy!

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girlfrommars · 02/05/2008 12:40

Who told you?

If it's the mother/father/close relative of the baby, then stick to what they say. If in doubt, ask the parents what they feel.

It's more important that no-one is upset- or moaning about 'bad luck' on the day.

Even though it's not necessary

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 12:46

I've been told by the grandparents, so will go with the flow. (Notice they haven't offered to make the cake, but have sugested the other grandmother might!)

I've always fancied my self as a party planner, hence my eagerness to assist in the celebrations.

It's not as easy as it looks!

OP posts:
aquababe · 02/05/2008 12:49

wow having to wait till august you must have a really good catholic primary school near you .

priest at my nearest church does them in a convey belt style you get a few slot options.
luckily for us my dh's bf is a priest (rather young and of italian background )

lynette go with what the parents have told you. I don't know many people who do that saving the wedding cake stuff or as you say its not edible!

aquababe · 02/05/2008 12:50

x posts probably the grand parents favourite

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 16:29

Oh new dram, but nothing to do with the celebration... but can a boy have two Godfathers and no Godmother??????

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Original poster
LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 16:29

I mean drama...

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TheFallenMadonna · 02/05/2008 16:36

Gawd, we just had a buffet lunch at our house. For ds we did use the top tier of our wedding cake, for dd I made one. Fruit, not sponge . Have never heard of not being allowed to buy one. Mine did wear a christening gown, but all you need is one white garment for blessing. I should think the godparent thing would be OK. Our priest managed to charm even my very sceptical-at-this-whole-papist-nonsense MIL, so unless you know he is a bore, don't panic

girlfrommars · 02/05/2008 16:44

Technically, I think that you only need one catholic sponsor.

Then again, technically you don't need to bake a cake, so that might not help.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 02/05/2008 16:51

This will be the last time I am getting involved with other peoples celebrations. (It looks as though I won't be having a career in party planning after all)

2 men have been asked to be Godfather. There is no one suitable enough to be Godmother apparently. I was given short shrift when I said I didn't think that was OK,(but then what would I know), and asked if I would like it confirmed by the pope.

OP posts:
lilyloo · 02/05/2008 16:52

as long as one of them is catholic i think so