Christening Questions

ummmmmm. why the heck are these gowns so damn ugly and expensive? I haven't been to a store yet. I've only looked online at 2 my sil wants us to go to.

Where should I be looking(tri county is on my list) for a pretty inexpensive gown? I'm in Levittown.

Is the godmother in charge of paying for the gown My mil said this to us yesterday when we mentioned we were going shopping this weekend.

Are we supposed to buy the godparents gifts? If so, what?

Can someone share a list of rules

The reason why I'm clueless about all this is because I"m agnostic. It's important to my DH that she has some faith in her life.

TIA

Christening Questions

DD's is being made by a family member, but my MIL said Burlington has a ton of beautiful gowns.

There are no set rules. You can pick out the dress yourself.

Message edited 1/2/2013 11:52:18 AM.

Christening Questions

I would try either Burlington or Tri county.

Traditionally, the godmother buys the gown but you can do whatever you want!
I believe we will be buying the godparents gifts.

Re: Christening Questions

I would not expect anyone to pay for anything. If they offer then that's fine. My sister got DD her cross. BIL gave her money. I think there are some things that are "tradition" but really, I would go ahead as if you're taking care of everything yourself.

We used my niece's gown so that wasn't an issue for us, lol.

Re: Christening Questions

I saw a bunch of dresses in JCP, didn't check the prices though.

I paid $70 for DD's at Hartstrings in the Deer Park Tanger outlets. It was plain cotton with smocking.

I picked it out.

Godparents split the cost of everything - cross, gown, bib, socks, shoes. .

For gifts we got the godfather a Fossil watch and an engraved watch case from Red Envelope.

Godmother got a sterling silver sideways cross bracelet and a monogrammed jewelry clutch from Pottery Barn.

They both got pic frames from Amazon.

Re: Christening Questions

try sears, they have pretty inexpesive gowns. as far as your other questions, i didn't expect the godparents to buy anything, but if they offer then thats nice. My sister got DS his cross & gown (was not expecting this), BIL gave money. we didn't get anything for the godparents though, didn't know we were supposed to.

Message edited 1/2/2013 12:02:34 PM.

Re: Christening Questions

I got my niece/goddaughters dress at tri-county. I paid for it since it usually is the godmothers responsibility to pay for the christening outfit. Godfather biys the cross. My sister got my Ds christening outfit at JC Penney

Re: Christening Questions

i got mine at tri county....they had a decent selection but best part is the price! also check burlington coat factory. we paid for the outfit (it was only around $30 anyway). i didn't get gifts for the godparents - i don't know if you need to. I guess if I was going to get a gift all i would get is a personalized frame with a picture.

I changed DS after the ceremony anyway into something more comfortable and cuter.

Christening Questions

They are ugly and I think the boys outfits are worse. I just went with a tolerable one that wasn't crazy $$$. I found mine online. I did not have the time or patience to run all over.

People will tell you that certain things are tradition (like so and so pays for gown or party etc). It might be their tradition but it is not everyones.

We paid for everything for my DS. There are no traditions in our family and I would never expect anyone to pay for anything.

If it is tradition in your family and people are comfortable with paying then go with it but otherwise I would just plan on spending the money.

Re: Christening Questions

We're going to pretend we didn't hear what my mil told us and just do our thing like we planned. We've never been a fan of others paying for things.

I'll add burlington and sears to the list.

Keep the ideas coming for gifts.


Thanks ladies

Christening Questions

I can only tell you what is traditional in my family...
the godmother/godfather split the cost of everything in regards to the baby: christening outfit and all the accesories and then they usually buy a chain, cross and bracelet for a boy and the same for a girl in addition to earrings.

We are the godparents to my SIL newborn son and we just bought him all of the above. I believe they will be getting us gifts as godparents. However, I will mention that the gifts mentioned above are all that we will be giving (not like that wasn't crazy money on its own) but we are not expected to give an envelope with cash at the actual party

Re: Christening Questions

Burlington has gowns cheap. We used mine and DH's for our kids.

Traditionally the god mother buys the gown, but its up to you. Only 1 of our childrens godmothers even approached us about buying the gown.

We didnt get them presents, but at christmas we get them special god parents items

Christening Questions

I got my DD's gown at JCpenney at Roosevelt Field mall and they had some gorgeous ones for cheap.

Christening Questions

I bought my niece's gown (I'm her godmother as well) at Sears. It was simple yet very pretty and the price was great.

Traditionally the godmother buys the dress, the godfather the cross. That's not always the case though.

As far as gifts, I bought DS's godparents gifts from things remembered. A bracelet (GM) and a keychain (GF)

Re: Christening Questions

I just purchased this from etsy this week. It was $120.00 and my DD godmother paid for it.

Message edited 1/2/2013 2:49:39 PM.

Re: Christening Questions

Christening Questions

In our family the godfather buys the cross necklace, and godmother buys the outfit.

I bought my goddaughter's outfit from Burlington, it was very pretty and price was great

Re: Christening Questions

I agree with the dresses too. I did not like anything in the stores. I also didn't want an insanely long dress. I ended up getting a very cute cotton white eyelit dress with a pink sash from Children's Place. She wore a white cardigan and white ballet slippers. Topped it off with a cute headband with a pink flower. Def. not the "norm" for girl's christening outfit but I loved it!

Christening Questions

I've also seen some nice ones in Century 21.

Re: Christening Questions

I hated them too. Found a beautiful one at Cathy's Touch. I believe it's in Merrick. Owner is really nice and helpful.

I did not get the Godparents gifts.

The traditions are the godmother buys the gown and godfather buys the cross, but I wouldnt expect it unless godmother offered. In our case, both godparents followed the tradition.

Christening Questions

We got ours at Charlottes on merrick Rd seaford across from cedar creek park. They were costly. The god mother's paid for it. The godfather's bought large crosses/chain for them to grow into.

Re: Christening Questions

Godmother buys outfit and godfather buys the cross. Parents pay for church donation and reception. For gifts we did personalized godmother/godfather frames with ds's picture. Unless you want a heirloom gown, don't buy a traditional christening gown. Go with a regular beautiful white dress. For both boys, the godparents insisted on silk heirloom rompers so they paid quite a penny for those.

Re: Christening Questions

Tri-county!

Christening Questions

In my fam, if they're not a couple the godmother buys the gown/suit and the godfather buys the cross. Obv if they're a couple it's all coming from the same place. The parents pay for everything else.

If you find a store that has stuff that isn't horrendous let me know. The outfits I have seen for boys are just so dated looking!!

Re: Christening Questions

I bought the outfit. I dont make a fuss over this type of thing and I found an outfit at Burlington for $25 and both of my boys used it!! I saw the same one at JCP for around $60. Burlington also has the little booties and socks for dirt cheap (like $5) and Im sure they look exactly like ones from the fancy stores! Good luck!