After your baby’s birth his baptismal day is the first big event in his life. Naturally you want to make this day special and have memories that you can hold dear in the days and years to come. Many people find themselves wondering how they can make this very day stand apart without taking from the Solemnity of the occasion. Here are 4 tips how to make your baby’s baptismal day special.

Choose the Godparents with care

Godparents play a special role in the baptism of your child and they should also play a special role in their life as well. Choosing godparents who are willing to build a special relationship with your child and maintain it as your child grows is the first step in making your child’s baptismal day special. Choosing a close friend who loves children and are members of your church is always a good choice. If they have shared in the excitement of your child’s birth they will likely want to share in each of the milestones in your child’s life as well.

Keeping with tradition

Another great way of making your baby’s baptism special is by keeping with tradition. Some families use the same baptismal gown handed down from generation to generation. This is a wonderful way to make the occasion special by having your baby dress in the same gown as generations of your family have worn before for this occasion.

If this is the first baptism in your family or if each family has preferred to have a special gown for each infant why not consider having a bit of lace from a grandmothers or great grandmothers wedding gown added to your child’s baptismal gown. This is a wonderful way to mix old and new traditions for your baby’s special day.

Special Photos and Pictures

Make sure you take lots of pictures of the special day and make small photo albums for the relatives who live far away and could not be in attendance. This is a wonderful way to share the memories of this special day with all your loved ones. You might even consider having a water painting done of your baby in his baptismal gown. There are many fine artists who often do pictures straight from a photo of your child. These paintings are lovely and you can hang them in your home to serve as a permanent reminder of your child’s special day.

Consider a Donation

Donating to your church or to a worthy cause on your child’s baptismal day and each subsequent anniversary is a great way to celebrate and remember this special day. There are a lot of really good charities that can use even a small donation and making one in your child’s name each year is a wonderful way to signify the importance of this day in your child’s life.

There are many ways to celebrate your child’s baptismal day. Including family and friends and having a nice luncheon after the Baptism is a nice way to end the special occasion and using one or the above tips will make this day stand out as special through out your life and life of your child.

A SURPRISE wedding ceremony left guests at a Merseyside Christening speechless.

Family and friends of Paul and Heather Walker travelled from Scotland, Dubai and Ireland to see their children, 18-month-old Tess and three-month-old Annie-Lou, Christened.

What they didn’t know as they filed into St Mary’s church in Wirral, is that they were about to attend a wedding as well.

Paul’s mum Mary Stead, from Southport, said: “After the christening the Reverend said that Paul had a few words to say and he went over to Heather’s father Steve and asked, ‘Can I take your daughter’s hand in marriage?’

“They weren’t engaged so we were all thinking he was about to propose to Heather.

“But then Paul said, ‘I’m glad you’ve agreed because otherwise you’d have scuppered our plans. We’re getting married now.’

“I started crying. The Reverend said she had the best view because she could see all our faces.”

Paul and Heather had been secretly planning their big day for three weeks without telling anyone, except Rev Beth Glover.

Merseysiders had the chance to look around a warship this weekend – as the baby of a crew member was christened in the ship’s bell.

Able Seaman Chris Evans, 25, and wife Katie, who was brought up in Walton, held the ceremony for 10-month-old Millie Louise with 50 family and friends on HMS Liverpool during her ceremonial visit to the city.

AB Evans: “Having a baby christened in the ship’s bell is a tradition and a huge honour.”

“Millie’s day was extra special because she was christened on board HMS Liverpool, in Liverpool, and she is half Scouse!”

A proud mum told how she spent £6,000 giving her baby boy a dream christening.

Lauren Robinson wanted her son Joseph’s blessing to be a big celebration.

Among the things on her shopping list was a christening cake, a chocolate fountain, buffet food for 100 guests and a free bar.

She also made sure her son’s favourite character’s were there, pre-school favourites Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy and Mickey Mouse.

Nineteen year-old Lauren, who is looking for a hairdressing job after her college course, says she had to get help from her mum and dad to pay for the day.

But the teenager, who lives with Joseph in Vauxhall, says her son is worth every penny.

Lauren said: “Joseph is the first boy in the family so everyone was just made up.

“We spent about £6,000 to get him christened. I had a big chocolate fountain and hired Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy and Mickey Mouse outfits. It was a great day.”

Joseph, now 11 months, was christened at St Anthony’s Church on Scotland Road.

The reception was held the Beaches Suite at Aintree Racecourse which is a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations.

Joseph is Lauren’s first child and she is besotted with her little man.

Lauren added: “It was quite expensive. We never went on holiday which we usually do every year. He’s a really happy, playful child. We wanted to do this to give my little boy a special day. It was the first boy in the family and my first baby as well so we wanted to go a bit overboard with him.”

Whether you are having a Christening, Baptism, Blessing, Naming Ceremony a little advance planning can eliminate a lot of stress and make your baby’s special day one to cherish.

1. Location

2. Date & Time

3. Contact officiator

4. Select Godparents and/or guardian.

5. Guest List Invitations Menu Decorations Favours

6. Photographs

7. Choose Baby’s Clothing dress, gown and outfit
The most important part of the Christening gown or Christening outfit should be planned for well in advance in order to have correct style and size availability. If the fabrication is soft, the baby is more likely to cooperate during the ceremony.

Change of Clothing
One aspect of the baby’s special event that is often overlooked until it is too late is a change of clothing. It is advisable to remove the ceremony outfit as soon as possible after the ceremony. Changing your baby into a different set of clothing will allow your baby to be as comfortable as possible which will allow you to enjoy the rest of the celebration with family and friends.