Please advice me on Baptisam outfit and Godmother.

[Brokensoul]

Hi! My DD's will be Baptised in couple of weeks.
They are 9 and 10. Can you please advice me on their clothes. They need to wear everything white but in April/ may they will do FHC as well so I am trying to keep the cost down.
Not sure what to do and where to look for appropriate and affordable dresses.
Also, please can you tell me is it ok if I don't make any gathering after ceremony. I just can't afford all the expense. Would Godmother be offended? Can I get her rather some present or vaucher?
Advice would be highly appreciated. Thank you .

[Brokensoul]

Ps. It's in the RC church

[Gingerdodger]

Are you looking for dresses for baptism and FHC combined?

Debenhams, BHS, M&S and loads of bridal shops all do a variety of FHC dresses, some at really good prices especially if you can find a sale.

I've noticed older children in our church (also RC) don't usually wear white for baptism so might be worth double checking if they need white.

If they do what about white leggings and a nice top? Will be able to wear again if you don't want to combine baptism and FHC outfit.

Nobody will mind about what you do or don't do after. The day is for baptism not a party. I am sure your friends will understand. Also I have been a Godmother and neither expected nor was given a present. Just a lovely card and a couple of photos.

Enjoy the day. It will be lovely for all the family.

[Nicknamegrief]

Our church (LDS) sells white baptismal clothing for children- children in our church are not baptised until they are 8.

You don't have to be a member to purchase the baptismal clothes and I think they are reasonable priced.

store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category3_10704_10551_21034_-1_N_image_0

The dresses are £17.45 but there are trousers too.

[wigglesrock]

I have never given or gotten a Godmother present

As others have said BHS, Debs, TK Max & Matalan online.

Ask the priest, there's no requirement for white to be worn for baptism, it's just tradition. A wee white shawl, scarf, little baby blanket can be blessed instead - it's not the outfit that's blessed if you see what I mean.

I'd hold off a bit before looking at First Communion clothes, it depends if they're making it through the school or on their own in the parish. Some parishes just use cloak type things over the clothes so there's no need for the white dress.

My dd made hers last year but it was nowhere near as expensive as I thought.

If you don't mind saying - where in the UK are you? I know that dress shops where I live that stock Communion dresses put the previous years on sale around October

[wigglesrock]

Apologies if this isn't the case, but are you the poster that's having the proxy Godmother?

If so, I might get a thank you card from your daughters to say thank you for stepping in and helping you out. But I wouldn't worry about a present or voucher.

[Brokensoul]

Thank you for a lovely replies. I name changed- long story- had to open new account.
Yes, I have someone I know to be a proxy godmother for the day.
Lovely link for the simple gowns but you are right, I will call tomorrow priest and ask him about outfit.
In regards gathering, it's just I feel she might expect it so not sure what to do. I will see her on Monday morning so we can talk about the day . I would like to give her something instead taking her out . I can't afford expence unfortunately at the moment.
That's why I thought I will get her a voucher.
I will give priest Aswell £50 on the day as a gift in the envelope . Is that a lot or little? Not sure ....

[wigglesrock]

No, that's way too much for the priest - honestly. £20 in an envelope is plenty - that's what we have given and when my children were baptised we were one of the few families that did it.

What about getting the Godmother some nice flowers or a plant or something small like a photoframe. Honestly nothing too much, I think she's probably more than pleased to do it for you

[ColdFusion]

Is it full immersion baptism? If so, the leggings and a tee shirt.

[thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts]

I've never heard of monetary gifts to the priest. Is this an RC tradition?

[Sirzy]

In our church (c of e) because baptism is free some people give a donation to the church after the ceremony.

[wigglesrock]

It's a tenner in an envelope to the priest for the bookies, a donation. There's no donation given to the church or fee to be paid. It's usually just a token - there's no charge for weddings or anything so it's more just a tradition. I think for weddings we gave nearer £50 and a £5 for the altar boys.

[Babcia]

@ColdFusion Catholics don't do full immersion unless they're going native in the Holy Land...

I would just have a bunch of flowers for the Godmother and maybe get the children to make her something?

As for the outfits- as long as they are smartly dressed anything is fine.

[Fink]

Any update from the priest? The norm in the RC is that they have to have a "white garment" as it's referred to in the ceremony and is part of the symbolism, but they don't actually have to wear white all over or at all. The white garment can be a shawl or scarf that is put on after the baptism (in babies it's often a blanket).

As for money, whatever you give don't forget to gift aid it if you can. £20 would be fine. Maybe less (£10) if the priest isn't there specially for you, e.g. if there are other children baptised at the same time or it's during the Sunday Mass.