| Whether you're planning a Christening yourself, | | | | gathering is likely to be invited to photograph the |
| attending a Christening, need a Christening gift or | | | | child, family and Godparents at specific points |
| just want to find out a bit more about the | | | | during the ceremony. Of course there can also be |
| options available to you then hopefully this article | | | | photographs before and after. |
| will help. | | | | The child will usually be dressed in a special |
| There are two types of ceremonies available; | | | | Christening outfit/gown or family heirloom |
| religious and non-religious. Irrespective of which | | | | garment. Women would be expected to dress |
| type is chosen, the common theme throughout is | | | | smartly - hats are not necessary, and for men, |
| love and surrounding the child with family and | | | | suits or smart shirt and trousers. Ties are often |
| friends in order to celebrate the child's birth and | | | | not a necessity, particularly for summer |
| life ahead. | | | | ceremonies though if you are the father or |
| Religious Ceremonies: | | | | Godfather, you would be expected to dress in a |
| A Christening is the child's first initiation into the | | | | suit. |
| religious faith. At a Catholic Christening, the | | | | Usually following the ceremony a buffet or tea is |
| parents make their declarations, the baby is | | | | held at the parent's house. The child will be shown |
| baptised with holy water, and a lit candle | | | | off to all the family and friends, and Christening |
| representing Jesus as the light of the world, is | | | | gifts are generally presented to the child. After |
| given to the parents and Godparents. The priest | | | | the buffet, the official cake may be cut, and at |
| may ask the parents to attend preparation | | | | this point, some people choose to plant a tree or |
| classes to fully understand the significance of a | | | | dedicate a plant which will grow with the child. |
| baptism. Catholic Christenings are often held as a | | | | Role of the Godparents: |
| separate service for one or more child, without | | | | There are usually three Godparents - two the |
| hymns and lasts approximately 30 minutes. | | | | same sex as the child. The role of the Godparent |
| In a Church of England Christening, the Christening | | | | comes from the days when converts to the |
| takes place within the main Sunday church service | | | | early Christian church were usually adults whose |
| and the baby is taken to the font, sprinkled with | | | | parents were not Christians. The Godparents role |
| holy water, and the Godparents and parents | | | | was to provide a Christian mentor to help them |
| promise God they will bring the child up in the | | | | through life. People also link the role of the |
| Christian faith. | | | | Godparent with that of becoming 'legal guardian' |
| If you decide to go for a Christening, you need to | | | | should the child ever be orphaned. However, this |
| speak to the vicar at your local church. They will | | | | would need to be written into a will with the |
| explain the service, and may ask questions | | | | permission of the Godparents themselves. |
| concerning your own faith, and that of the | | | | Non-religious participants usually engage a 'mentor' |
| godparents. You will then be able to book a date. | | | | who will watch over the child and steer them |
| Secular (Non-Religious) Ceremonies: | | | | through life with help, care and advice. Generally |
| There are a range of non-religious celebrations to | | | | Godparents are chosen for their own Christian |
| choose from including a Baby-Naming Ceremony, | | | | beliefs but also because they are very close |
| Welcoming or Thanksgiving. These options are | | | | friends of the parents, or family members. |
| free of any commitment to the Christian faith. A | | | | Godparents or guardians should be people who |
| British Humanist Association ceremony can take | | | | are going to be around to offer support for the |
| place anywhere you like. A trained, licensed | | | | child if needed. |
| celebrant will help you to create a unique and | | | | Christening Gifts: |
| personal occasion. They can provide templates for | | | | Many people prefer a traditional gift idea for a |
| ceremonies that you can adapt for your own | | | | Christening such as pewter, silver or china; these |
| situation, and they can suggest readings, poetry | | | | are great gifts for the child to treasure. Another |
| or music. You can include contributions from | | | | nice idea is to provide a photo album or keepsake |
| family/friends, and finish it all off with a tea or | | | | box to store precious memories of the child's |
| buffet. These ceremonies last on average 20 | | | | special day. For religious ceremonies it is common |
| minutes. | | | | for a silver cross and chain or a bible to be |
| Christenings are generally held within the first year | | | | presented to the child. Personalised gifts also |
| of a baby's life, although some parents wait until | | | | make very nice ideas for this occasion, for |
| the child is a little older. | | | | example a framed name print, or a personalised |
| Generally, photography is welcome during all types | | | | Christening plate or mug, or perhaps an engraved |
| of ceremonies but it may be worth checking with | | | | tankard or cufflinks for a boy. |
| the person presiding first as the congregation or | | | | |