Baptism party ideas
Baptism is a sacred way of welcoming a newborn into the family and the Church. To help you commemorate your child or godchild’s baptism, we’ve put together a useful list of baptism party ideas, along with beautiful religious invitations you can use to gather family and friends to join in on this special occasion.
What do you do at a baptism party?
First of all, congratulations on the newest member of your family! We’re happy to help you honor this powerful tradition and plan a party for such a memorable day. Whether you’re the parent or the godparent of the baby of the hour, take a look at these activities you can incorporate into your tot’s baptism party to ensure an unforgettable and moving celebration.
1. Save some of the sacrament
Bottle a small portion of the holy water that’s used to baptize your baby to save as a keepsake. This holy water can be a lifelong reminder of the first of many sacraments taken throughout your child’s life.
2. Create a photo album
Be sure to take plenty of pictures during the event. Later, you can use these photos to create a special photo album that you and your child can look back on when the time is right.
3. Collect heartfelt messages
Ask each of your guests to write a message for your child to read on their sixteenth birthday. They can choose to share their favorite Bible verses, important life lessons, or helpful advice.
4. Share prayers and blessings
Have guests share what’s on their hearts as you all lift up your newest member in prayer. Record their responses so you can look back on them for years to come.
5. Plan games for kids
If other young children will be at your baptism party, try to have some activities planned to keep them entertained. Some ideas include:
— Classic games: Hide and seek, scavenger hunts, and capture the flag are timeless classics.
— Water games: If you’re holding your baptism party in the summer and have outdoor space, consider planning for water balloons, water guns, and slip and slides.
— Card games and board games: Choose kid-friendly options, such as Go Fish, Checkers, or Connect Four.
6. Plan games for adults
Why let the kids have all the fun? Plan some entertaining games for your adult guests, too, such as:
— Guess who: Ask everyone to bring a baby picture of themselves and see how many partygoers can correctly match up the infant to the adult.
— What’s in a name: For this game, everyone is assigned another person’s name to research. Before researching the name, guests should try to make an educated guess as to what it might mean. After researching, guests can announce their findings.
7. Picnic on the lawn
Spread out in the backyard or on the church lawn with light bites, blankets, and family. The following food options are ideal for an outdoor picnic:
— Finger sandwiches: Finger sandwiches allow for plenty of snack-sized variety (and besides, they’re just really cute). Serve your guests options like tomato and mozzarella, cucumber, and tuna fish.
— Olives and cheese plates: Green and black olives served alongside cheese and a few different kinds of crackers can make for an irresistible spread. We recommend having at least one hard cheese and one soft cheese to choose from. Almonds, jam, apple slices, and toasted baguette are also welcome additions.
— Fruit plate: Set out a serving platter of fresh fruit, including grapes, mellons, and strawberries. You can even arrange the fruit into the shape of a cross to keep things festive and on theme.
What are some themes for baptism parties?
An ideal theme for any baptism party is one that complements the central cause for celebration: the baby being baptized! There are plenty of adorable and easy-to-execute ideas and themes to choose from, such as:
— Cuddly animals: From Peter Rabbit to Winnie the Pooh, cute and cuddly animals that represent childhood are perfect for celebrating your little one with family and friends.
— Seasonal: No matter the time of year, you can commemorate your child’s special day by matching their baptism theme to the season. Choose bountiful florals for springs, nautical decor for summer, pumpkins and autumnal colors for fall, and snowmen for winter.
— Twins: If you’re baptizing twins, celebrate the day by doubling all of your decor in a cute and intentional way, and dressing your little ones in matching outfits.
How do you decorate for a baptism party?
Depending on your theme, you’ll definitely want to make wherever you’re celebrating—whether it’s your home, or a rental hall—look festive. Here are some ideas for making the party come to life:
— Color schemes: Typically, a celebration for a boy will feature blue and gold, while one for a girl will incorporate pink and white. Whatever you choose, you can display your color scheme with cups, plates, napkins, hats, streamers, tablecloths, and invitations.
— Religious imagery: From doves to the cross, arks to lions and lambs, there are plenty of religious images to make use of when decorating for your child’s baptism party. You can also find inspiration in a favorite Bible story or the story of your child’s patron saint.
— Use text as well as images: Decorate your venue with posters and fun lettering that feature favorite Bible verses, quotes, or the good wishes contributed by your guests.
What food do you serve at a baptism party?
Like religion, food has the power to bring people together. When it comes to serving your nearest and dearest at your child’s baptism party, consider hor d’oeuvres and finger foods that encourage guests to mingle throughout the event.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
— Bagel bar: If you’re hosting a brunch-style party, break out the cream cheese, capers, and smoked salmon, along with an assortment of sweet and savory bagels for your loved ones .
— Light bites: Set up a snack bar where guests can easily fix themselves a plate. By keeping it simple, you can offer a variety of options, including pretzels, chips and dip, vegetables and hummus, charcuterie boards, and mini quiches.
— Cake: Nothing says celebration quite like a baptism cake, so consider adding one to your baptism menu. You can even decorate your baptism cake with a meaningful Bible verse, quote, blessing, or cross design.
— Potluck: If you’re feeling somewhat overwhelmed, you can ask your friends and family to pitch in by hosting a potluck baptism party! Assign each guest to bring their favorite small dish, dessert, or drink to share for your loved ones (and take some of the pressure off of you).
