13 Ideas for a Baptism Party for All Ages
A baptism is a significant life moment. Whether you’re celebrating the christening of a young child or the baptism of someone much older, this is a time for joy — and the perfect reason for a party. If you’re planning a get-together with loved ones, these ideas for a baptism party will help you nail down all the details, including your theme, venue, menu, and invitations.
13 Ideas for a Baptism Party Everyone Will Love
You’re ready to begin planning an incredible baptism party, but where do you start? Add these baptism and christening party ideas to your event planning checklist to ensure all the elements come together and you stay on track every step of the way.
1. Select a Baptism Party Theme or Color Scheme
Design: Shari Margolin Design
Invitation idea: Smiling Lamb Invitation
Like any party, a baptism celebration can benefit from having a theme — or at least a color scheme to help tie all your party decor together.
Think about the mood you want to create and consider some of the most popular baptism trends. Favorite themed baptism parties for little ones include baby animals, florals, pastels, seasonal inspiration (like spring or summer motifs), and biblical themes. For older kids and adults, consider opting for their favorite colors or keep things simple and sophisticated with white and neutral tones.
2. Choose a Venue to Suit Your Celebration
The church where the baptism takes place can often be an ideal place to host a baptism reception and afterparty, but it’s not the only location to consider.
Other great places to host your baby’s christening or baptism party include your home or backyard, the godparents’ home, your favorite restaurant, a community hall, or a local park. Consider the number of guests you want to invite and the type of party you want to host – for example, an outdoor BBQ party, afternoon tea party, or even a potluck. Once you have that sorted, it’ll be easier to decide on a venue.
3. Send Personalized Baptism Party Invitations
Design: Owl and Toad
Invitation idea: Watercolor Cross Invitation
When you’re putting so much thought and love into planning a baptism party, it’s only natural that your invitations are just as special. Greenvelope offers a beautiful collection of baptism invites with something for every style — whether you want bold florals, subtle watercolors, or adorable baby animals.
Each of our digital invitations can be personalized, so you can change the layout, add your own photos, and have fun with the fonts and colors until you’re happy with your design. Add your party details and custom stamp and you’ll have an invitation that perfectly matches your personality.
4. Choose Matching Party Decor
Once you’ve chosen a theme or color scheme, start shopping for party supplies. You don’t need lots of decor to make this moment feel special, but many hosts do add a handful of baptism party decorations.
Consider setting up a balloon arch or using balloons on garlands to decorate walls or fences. Use string lighting or lanterns to give a cozy effect if you’re hosting in the evening. Add in decor elements to match your theme — like stuffed animals or toy figurines for an animal-themed party, or vases of beautiful blooms for a floral-themed event.
5. Style Your Dining Tables
Design: ChristyHyLee
Invitation idea: Blooming Flowers Invitations
If you’re hosting a brunch, lunch, or dinner, your tables are another space to bring your theme to life. Choose a tablecloth, napkins, tableware, and glassware to match your style. Add a centerpiece that feels right — something understated and subtle or vibrant and eye-catching depending on the party atmosphere.
For a child’s baptism party, offer kid-friendly tablescapes with suitable plates, cups, and cutlery. You can also offer fidget toys or coloring books for little ones to enjoy while they wait for food to be served.
6. Order a Personalized Sign or Poster
We love the idea of party decor pieces that can also become home decor or mementos, and a personalized party sign or poster is a great way to achieve this.
Buy a sign for the baptism or christening party that features the guest of honor’s name, the date, and any other details you want to include — like the location, time of day, or godparents’ names. After the party, frame the poster or hang the sign in their bedroom as a reminder of the special moment.
7. Start a Memory Book
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Invitation idea: Simple Cross Invitation
Both an activity and a keepsake, a memory book, scrapbook, or guest book is a wonderful addition to a baby’s baptism party. Ask loved ones to write a message inside, be it well wishes, quotes, sayings, life advice, or other insights. You can then read through them and share them with your little one as they grow older.
8. Book a Photographer
Many families book a photographer for the baptism ceremony itself, so why not ask them to capture moments from your afterparty too?
This is the perfect opportunity to get beautiful photos of everyone with the newly baptized person, as well as group shots of people enjoying the celebration and close-up details of your carefully planned party decor. If you aren’t booking a photographer, DIY something similar with a talented family member who’s a pro with their smartphone camera.
9. Play Party Games
Whether you’re planning a lively get-together in honor of your little one, or a more relaxed gathering to celebrate an adult’s baptism, adding a few party games is a fun idea.
For a relaxed atmosphere, try some classic board or card games — something that doesn’t require too much running around. To keep the young ones entertained or if you want to get up and move around, consider these 15 party games for kids.
10. Set Up a Play Area
A baptism party may feel significant for the adults, but for young children this isn’t immediately clear — and they’ll often want a way to burn off some energy or have fun together. To make this happen, set up an area where they can relax and play.
Create an art station with coloring supplies and art materials or offer a relaxation station where they can read books or tinker with toys. You can also consider bible-themed toys for your child’s baptism party for kids to enjoy while the adults mingle.
11. Don’t Forget the Baptism Cake
Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC
Invitation idea: Vintage Lace Corners Invitation
We’re used to seeing extravagant cakes for weddings and milestone birthday parties, but they’re also a regular feature at baptisms and christenings. Let your beautiful cake take center stage on your dessert table, then cut and serve it to guests during the celebration.
Many hosts tend to keep the baptism cake simple in a shade of white with minimal decorations. That said, don’t be afraid to have fun with cake toppers that show off the guest of honor’s personality. If you don’t want to deal with a large cake, homemade cupcakes are a wonderful alternative.
12. Serve Easy Food and Drink
Baptism parties are often informal and relaxed, so you don’t have to plan a complicated menu or hire a caterer for your party — unless you want to. Instead, choose food and drink options that suit your style, theme, and budget.
Platters with finger foods and potluck dinners are popular options. If you’re hosting your event during breakfast or brunch, you can’t go wrong with continental breakfast favorites like croissants, pastries, mini quiches, coffee, and tea. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and treats for younger party guests like crackers, fresh fruit, and veggie sticks.
13. Hand Out Themed Party Favors
As with weddings and birthday parties, it’s often customary to send your guests home with a gift to thank them for their presence at the baptism. Use this moment to give them a small token to remind them of the day, or a themed gift that they’ll use.
One of our favorite gift ideas for a baptism party is a rosary. You could also give handmade soap or freshly baked cookies. If the baptism has a theme, lean into that and hand out packets of flower seeds, a small stuffed animal, or a themed keyring.
Celebrate the Special Moment With These Baptism Party Ideas
This is a milestone moment for your guest of honor, and it’s time to plan a baptism party that celebrates just how wonderful, special, and unique they are. Take these ideas for a baptism party and use them to inspire your own event.
When you’re ready to let everyone know about the big day, choose one of Greenvelope’s baptism invitations to help you spread the word. Find a design you love, customize it to make it feel personal, and send it to loved ones. They’ll be happy to celebrate such a special occasion with you.
