[Resi]

I have been invited to a baptism at the end of the month. It's a new mommy friend that I had a playdate with once. After the baptism she invited me for dinner at her home. I have never been to a baptism. The mass starts at 5:30 PM. How long does a mass last? I don't know how Oliver will last that late in the evening because his bedtime is 7PM. Also, what should I wear and what kind of gift should I bring?

[IamMom]

If it's a mass sounds like a Catholic baptism....I'm Lutheran and our baptism "traditions" are very similar. A mass can take anywhere from an hour to two depending on the church. Usually an hour, if its going to be done during the normal service (with all the other church members attending). Some people do private baptisms and those are considerably shorter cause its just the baptismal rite that is done and not the whole service. For gifts we got (and I give) something meaningful like a pictures frame with the name or date of the baptism on it. For Catholics they often get rosaries (I may have spelled that really wrong) and those kinds of things. I got my sister's baby a "My first book of prayers" book and a little onesie that said "blessed". They also have cute little bears/stuffed animals that say the different prayers in a kids voice (DS got one of those) and we still pray ("Now I lay me down to sleep") with it each night.

Hope that helps! You can google "baptism gifts" and you'll get a ton of ideas!

I'd wear something like you'd wear to a baby shower or wedding reception - something nice but still kind of casual. Most churches (even Catholic churches) are pretty casual these days. But I would definitely wear something leaning toward "Sunday Best!".

[Resi]

Thanks!

[ANGWife]

Originally Posted by I Love Harrison Boo

Hope that helps! You can google "baptism gifts" and you'll get a ton of ideas!

I'd wear something like you'd wear to a baby shower or wedding reception - something nice but still kind of casual. Most churches (even Catholic churches) are pretty casual these days. But I would definitely wear something leaning toward "Sunday Best!".

Wear dress slacks or like a sun dress. And if it's a Catholic baptism, it will last about an hour.

Not to advertise, but Hallmark has awesome baptism gifts. I'm sure someone can guide you there.

[**Jenn**]

The length of it all depends on whether its done during a normal service or if its just a baptism. And of course it also depends on how many other babies are being baptised as well. I'm Catholic and we had Liam baptised in the church. My church does a separate baptism mass and he was the only one that day (it was Super Bowl Sunday) so the whole thing lasted around 15-20 minutes or so. I just wore a skirt and sweater. Pretty much anything goes as far as a gift is concerned. Liam got a lot of cash which was nice because we were able to start an account for him (now we have the boys' money in a CD). Other nice gifts we got were a little bible with his name embossed on it, a cross for his room, set of rosaries, and a lot of non religious items as well. Pretty much anything goes.