Christening

We're getting ready to have my son's christening. We delayed it because my grandmother has been in the hospital/rehab since the beginning of December and we really wanted her to be there. She's looking to be discharged in the next week, she's met maximum improvement at this point, she's not made any more progress (except with eating) in the last 2 weeks. She's not walking at this point, which means that she is in a wheelchair. This definitely limits WHERE we can have the part, so we've narrowed it down to a few, and we think we know where we are having it. That said, DH and I, while initially wanted to have a big party, but I think we've decided to keep it more low-keyed.

My question is, we've been invited to and have gone to a few friend's christenings, and the way it looks, we won't be able to invite these friends. I know it's impolite to not reciprocate, but if we invite these friends, that comes with an additional 10-15 people we then have to invite, and we just can't do it. How can we go about this without offending anyone?

Christening

I would just be honest with them. I am sure they will understand. GL!

Re: Christening

Just tell them you are keeping it small. They should understand.

Christening

Tell them you're just doing family. My old coworkers all have kids around DS1's age. We all had boys within a year of each other. The girl who christened her baby first invited us all. I christened next and invited everyone. The third person had something- not sure if we were invited, but I didn't go. The forth person to christen invited family only, but we're very close so we knew she was christening him at the time- none of us were offended. I think the fact that she was open and told us all about the christening at one of our hangouts was nice. Now 2 of us are on round 2- I christened DS2 a few weeks ago and invited all of them again (everyone cancelled last minute or just didn't show, which is a whole other story...) and the girl who threw the first christening is doing her daughter's next month and has already told us all to save the date.

Honestly, I don't think people will be offended. Christening are kind of boring. I would be honest that you're only doing family and they'll probably let out a sigh of relief that they don't have to go and get your kid a gift!

Christening

When my DD was Christened, we just had a lunch at a resturant with DD grandparents, and god parents and their spouses. We've been invited to Christenings, but then if I had to reciprocate, it would snowball and would end up having an affair as big as my wedding! No way was I doing that! I am sure people will understand that you are deciding to keep it low key.

Re: Christening

I had a similar situation because our families are big. We ended up inviting godparents, grandparents, great-grandmother, our siblings, and our closest friends (2 couples). Ended up being about 16 people total.

I was honest gave an open invitation to the church and told them for lunch we are keeping it small. My family (aunt, uncles, and cousins) came to the church and were not offended. DHs family was a little offended, but we couldn't afford it. Both our families with aunts, uncles and cousins (and cousin's kids) it would be about 75 people.

Christening

Don't stress it. They will understand. I had to cut the list for my dd birthday and our friends were cool.

Christening

Friends should understand, we did family and some of our closest friends for DD's and everyone understood.

Re: Christening

Its not a big deal. I don't know anyone that would be offended that they weren't invited to a christening.

You don't even have to make a thing of it - just invite the people you want and if someone asks just tell them you kept it small.

Re: Christening

If I were a guest I would completely understand. You have to do what's best for you and your family. A true friend would understand and not be offended.