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Baptism Questions
Okay... obviously not for my baby! Neither DH nor I have been to a baptism before. Oddly enough, we are invited to two in one day in early March, since two of our closest friends are having theirs on the same day... in opposite directions of course! We decided to go to the one for DH's best friend's baby since he has hardly any family and him and DH are like brothers, so we figure he'll want some people there from "his" side. The other friend having hers the same day completely understands, and figured it would happen since she picked the date after he did.
The one we are going to includes the ceremony at a church followed by a party at a nearby catering hall. Mind you, this is on Long Island where parties tend to be more extravagent than in other places. So, my question is - what do people wear to baptisms? Do I need to wear a dress? DH a suit? I'm hoping I can get away with a nice top and black dress pants. I really only have one nice maternity dress, and I'm planning to wear that to my shower that is a week earlier with many of the same people. I'd hate to have to go buy another dress just for this.
Also, what do people give as gifts for these - type, amount? We'll need to get gifts both for the one we're going to and the one we have to decline.
Thanks ladies!
Re: Baptism Questions
I think you could get away with dress pants, but your H should be in a suit and tie.
I don't really know to what give, the only baptism I've been to was for my niece and the whole thing was a sham and I felt awful even being there. It was more for MIL than anyone else, so they didn't expect anything. Hopefully someone else can help you out here, but I would give a check for a college fund, in whatever amount you think is appropriate. They'll probably get all kinds of trinkets from family members.
Dress pants and a nice top are totally fine! I wore a dress w/ leggings to the last one I went to. Some ppl wear dresses and skirts (casual ones) and others wear dress pants. Regular church clothes or work appropriate things are fine. Button down/blazer for a guy totally fine.
As for gifts I tend to stay away from "things" because I don't generally like a lot of clutter and I own all of those "things" from when I made all of my sacraments and am not really sure what to do with them. I tend to give a check for the baby to put in his/her college fund. I think that will be 10x more helpful down the line considering the price of school and loans. I can't remember what the last check I wrote was for but somewhere between $50-$100 he is my best friends son. (also NNJ is more expensive then other areas in the country and probably comparable to long island.)
Ditto Laurie. You can totally get by with wear slacks and a nice top. Your DH does not need to wear a suit. A button down with some Dockers are fine, tie would be optional.
As for a gift, I would say money is a great idea. That way the parents can put it to whatever expense they feel necessary. When DH's cousins were baptised last year, I think a lot of people gave clothes, money, or books. I would say a savings bond, but I think you need to have the kids SSN for that.
What she said. : )
Shmel's Blog
I would dress up - either pants or a skirt/dress. DH should wear at least dress pants and a nice sweater if not a suit.
Gifts, I usually get them something religious but a lot of my friends just put money in a card. We have a private owned Catholic store in our neighborhood where I usually go for baptism gifts. I usually try to stay away from money because I don't like people knowing what I spend to give. But I guess $20 for friends and $40-$50 for family if I had to.