Once the ceremony’s booked and your little one’s outfit is all sorted, it’s time to start thinking about some Christening after party ideas. From your venue to your décor and food, there are plenty of things that go into making the celebration feel super special.
To help inspire you, we’ve rounded up a selection of Christening party ideas, so all you’ll need to do is have a look through our guide and pick out your favourites!
Recently received an invitation to a Christening? We have a beautiful collection of Christening cards for you to explore too. Whether you’re looking for something sweet or traditional, our independent illustrators have drawn up a range of lovely designs:
Once you’ve chosen, feel free to take a peek at our guide on what to write in a Christening card.
What is a Christening or Baptism party?
A Christening or Baptism party is a celebration held after a child’s religious Christening or Baptism ceremony. It gives loved ones and guests an opportunity to gather in a relaxed setting, spend time together, share food and drinks, and celebrate the happy occasion.
Exactly how you celebrate is completely up to you. Some families might book a private room at a restaurant, while others might head home for sandwiches, cake, and tea. If you’re having your Christening ceremony in a church, hosting the celebration in the church function room is another popular option.
You could have a big guest list with everyone from grandparents to old family friends in attendance, or keep it small with immediate family and godparents. There’s no set way to do things, and the best Christening party will be the one that works best for you.
Ideas for a Christening party
Once you’ve got an idea of how you’d like to celebrate and where you’re going to host, it’s time to start planning all the fun details that will bring your Christening party together. Below we’ll run through themes, food ideas, and more Christening party ideas to help you put your own stamp on the day.
Baptism party themes
Choosing your theme first is a brilliant idea as everything else can be planned around it. If you’ve got no idea where to begin, here’s some inspo!
1. Storybooks
If your little one has a favourite bedtime story, you could use it as inspiration for the party! Choose a single book and base everything around that or create a more general book theme with character illustrations and nods to popular stories.
You could also ask guests to bring along a book with a personalised message inside as a gift. This way you’ll have a library filled with stories and messages from everyone who attended.
2. Florals
A floral theme is perfect if you’re after something pretty and traditional. This will work wherever you’re hosting, whether that’s a church function room or your own home. Choose a few favourite flowers (hydrangeas, carnations, and white roses would look lovely) and let them inspire your cake design, table decorations and more.
3. Outdoor picnic
If the Christening is taking place in the summer months, spread out some picnic blankets in your garden (or other green space) for a sunny celebration afterwards. Keep things relaxed with finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, and plenty of drinks, and make sure there’s enough shade for younger attendees.
4. Stars, moons, and clouds
Look to the skies for your Christening party theme! Go with a white, gold, and soft sky-blue colour scheme, and build a crescent moon balloon arch against a fairy-light backdrop. This dreamy, celestial setting will create a special atmosphere for the big day.
Baptism party decoration inspiration
Once you’ve got the theme sorted, it’s time to bring everything together by picking out some complementary décor. Here are some suggestions to get you thinking, but don’t be afraid to add your own touches:
- Bunting and balloons are an easy way to add colour and make the space feel welcoming.
- Don’t forget the table décor! You could add vases, candles, confetti and place settings.
- A personalised welcome sign is a brilliant idea. Put it near the entrance so everyone sees it as they walk in.
- Set up a photo backdrop where guests can gather and capture memories throughout the day.
- Add some unique touches, with your little one’s initials and photos dotted around the space.
Christening party food and drink ideas
When it comes to Christening party food, the key is to choose options that work for multiple age ranges. If you’re looking for something simple, a classic afternoon tea is ideal. It’s a nice way to bring everyone together for a relaxed afternoon of catching up, and all you’ll need are a selection of sweet and savoury treats.
A relaxed buffet is another great option, particularly if you have a larger group to feed. Think mini sandwiches, wraps, pastries and sausage rolls. Or, a long grazing table filled with cheese, crackers, dips and breads makes a good centrepiece while giving guests lots of choice.
For drinks, consider a mixture of tea and coffee, juices, and maybe some fresh homemade lemonade. Oh, and one final thing, don’t forget the Christening cake!
Remember the finishing touches
You’ll likely have all the basics sorted now, but there are a few final things that can make your Christening party feel super special:
- Capture the day: Why not buy a few disposable cameras and let your loved ones capture things from their perspective?
- Party favours: Having small favours to give to your guests ends things on a sweet note. Chocolates or hand-wrapped biscuits are ideal (especially for kids) or coasters and candles work well too. We also love the idea of a Christening-day newspaper: a one-page keepsake featuring the baby’s name, funny facts and favourite things!
- Guest book: Set up a guest book and ask everyone to leave a message for your little one. This will be nice for you to flick through and a brilliant keepsake for them later in life.
- Shared playlist: Ask guests to suggest a song before the party starts and put them all into one playlist.
- Activities: If there will be other young children at the party, it’s a good idea to have some games and activities to keep everyone entertained. We’re thinking colouring, bubble corners, or even soft play.
Hopefully our Christening party ideas have inspired you, and you’re now ready to dive straight into planning. Good luck, and we hope you have a fantastic time!
And if you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration, feel free to explore the rest of the thortful blog. There we’ve pulled together some godparent proposal ideas as well as things to do with a baby, whether they’re a newborn or a curious soon-to-be one-year-old.
