Baptism / Christening ... Almost 2 Yo

Updated on September 19, 2012
K.C. asks from Mc Lean, VA
17 answers

We're in the midst of finalizing adoption of our foster child. It's scheduled for mid-October and we have scheduled baptism for early November. I've spent the better part of the day and this evening looking for a christening outfit. This is not easy for older children. All the ones I like (and feel like aren't over-the-top or outrageously expensive) aren't available in the size I need. I found one, but DH thinks they're all ugly ... He doesn't understand, as he wasn't raised this way.

I have always wanted my children to wear the same gown I wore as a baby, but that isn't an option. I could ask my mom to make something for the occasion, but don't really want all the additional stress on her ... Or me worrying about it not being done until the last minute (SOP for my mom).

DH is no help, as he doesn't completely understand what this means, but knows it's important to me (if that makes sense). So, any suggestions on what I could do? I'd like to stay traditional white, but let me know if you think I'm hanging on to something that's really not that big of a deal. I know the most important thing is he's being baptized and he's OURS. Maybe I just need to let go and find something I can deal with at Macy's. Any advice? Anyone else been through something like this? I know we have other foster-adopt moms and dads here. Please help.

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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm a sucker for tradition, too! Since he is a bit older, how about a little white eton suit with white knee length socks and a pair of saddle shoes. He would look adorable running around on his special day in that. He won't look like a mini-man in a tiny suit--he will look like a handsome little guy dressed for his big day in his shorts and jacket. Google toddler eton suits.

added: I couldn't remember what they were called so I had to look it up. Try googling bobby suits also. So cute!

2 moms found this helpful
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E.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

I don't know if this helps, but I hate those little white outfits that they have to baptize little boys. My sons were each baptized when they were 6 months and I would not put them in one of those outfits. I had them wear little button down shirts with khaki pants. My husband wore the same thing.

I should add that at the time we were attending the evening service which is a little more casual.

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

What about a little white suit? Would you be able to find something like that?

You might even want to check places like tux rental stores... they have little ring-bearer suits, and might have one in white.....

http://www.amazon.com/Piece-Deluxe-White-Tuxedo-Toddler/d...

Here's a really cute one on Amazon for just $25.00!

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

I also always wanted to have my kids christened in a big fluffy white gown. But my daughter was not baptized til she was 7 and wore the same dress for baptism and first communion. The rest were boys. but they wore an outfit like the one in this link. I found it on ebay. you might think about something like this. something to think about with the age your son is. and thats that he won't sleep through the ceremony which most babies do lol. so your not going to want him in something that he is squirming and pulling trying to get off.
sorry forgot the link lol
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-INFANT-TODDLER-BOY-Tuxedo-SHO...

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

My family is catholic, all of the boys wear a suit for their christening.
I think that this would be a good point to let go of something that just didn't turn out the way you imagined when you where younger. Have a heart to heart with yourself and ask yourself what about his christening is so important to you. I bet it is NOT what clothes he wears.

There will are many times in our children's lives when we have to let go of a fantasy we have had about them, that just didn't turn out that way in real life. Holding on to that fantasy just results in greater disappointment. Let go and enjoy what what is real.
Good luck.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I do think that 2 is too old to wear a gown but this is your memory in the making. It doesn't matter what others think. If you want them to wear a gown then by all means get this child a gown.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think you need to let your husband have some amount of say in this. Not a great place to start as new parents by insisting on your way about an outfit.

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

In our church they said our daughter only needed something white, but it didn't have to be a white outfit.

Because he is nearly two, I don't think it is important to have a gown, just my opinion. I just watched a little boy get baptized last Sunday and they had them take his shirt off and he had on a pair of shorts on. They had him sit inside the basin while they immersed water over him. Afterward, they put a nice white shirt on him with a white sash and I thought he was as cute as could be.

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M.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

What does your husband want? I understand that he doesn't seem to want whatever it is that you want, but what does he want? Does he have an opinion about it? I would not allow division in my marriage because of an outfit that will be worn for a couple of hours. Seriously. Perhaps you can compromise and get him a cute little suit, or something along those lines. Most men don't want a feminizing type of outfit for their sons, and many of the christening/baptism outfits look that way. For a baby it isn't that big of a deal, but for a nearly 2 year old boy, it may be for your husband. Let him lead you in this area. Don't be so attached to a fantasy that you undermine your husband's wishes. It isn't worth it.

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Congratulations on the new member of your family!

Many children are not baptized in the traditional white outfits. But apparently this means a good deal to you, and that's fine. I did that, and my husband didn't understand either, but he didn't object as long as it didn't go over budget (well, sometimes it did, but I covered the rest of the cost).

As you already have recognized, christening outfits generally are in small sizes. That's what the manufacturers do.

You could go to Macy's or another upscale department store and see what's available. Talk to an experienced (!) sales clerk about your situation. If she doesn't think anything is available in that store, ask her for other suggestions.

Think about having someone other than your mother make an outfit. Is that possible?

There are online sources. I have no idea what the quality of the clothing would be, but here are a couple I just noticed when I googled:

http://www.catholicfaithstore.com/Store/Products/Cat/518/...

http://www.christeningshop.com/boys-outfits/christening-o...

They look a little pricey, but if you could fit it in your budget, you can think of it as something to give your son for when he grows up and has children of his own.

For what it's worth, for various reasons our second daughter was not baptized until she was about ten months old. So she couldn't wear a newborn outfit, either. I bought some pretty fabric in a pink and white floral print and made her a simple dress, by hand. The "by hand" part was so it could be special (and it was doable because it was a wear-once outfit). Of course, it's easier with little girls! I don't know if I could have made a little boy's outfit!

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

A little tuxedo shirt would be inexpensive and make him look like a little man!

M.

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B.G.

answers from Springfield on

I had both our boys baptized in a suit. I thought they were adorable!

I worked for the Catholic Church (not sure if you're Catholic or not) for 7 years and assisted with many baptisms. I did occasionally see families use a gown for their boys. I remember one family in which all of the grandchildren on the Mother's side were baptized in the same gown. I would say that most families have not chosen to continue this tradition, but I completely understand that it's important to you.

Some of the links below seemed like great options. I hope you find something perfect for your new addition. It's so great to hear that you are keeping things in perspective, but as a mother it's only normal to want to find the perfect gown/outfit. Good luck and congratulations!!!

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L.G.

answers from San Antonio on

I like strasburg. Also try eBay.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Richmond on

Is the gown you were baptized in really long? If so, could your mom cut a little material from the bottom and make a bow tie, tie, handkerchief, something from it to include on the outfit you purchase for your son? She could go back when she has more time and hem up the gown where she cut the material or add a strip of lace if it's then too short. I wouldn't want to ruin the gown (esp. if there is a possibility of more children to come) but it would be really sweet to have a piece of it included in your son's ceremony. Otherwise, I would just try to find something in white to go with. Congratulations on the addition to your family.

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H.H.

answers from Washington DC on

I had a hard time finding an outfit for my son who was 9 months old at the time so don't feel discouraged. Because he is older I think getting him a nice suit would fit for the occasion perfectly. The baptism will likely be different because he is older (ie they probably won't have you hold him over the water-not sure if you're catholic). We have a good friend who is a catholic priest and he shared that as long as the child is wearing something white that is the greatest significance for the occasion because it has symbolic/religious significance. You might be able to find outfits that will fit for him by doing a search online, but pay close attention to reviews as for my son I had to order him a size bigger than he was because they fit small. Congratulations on your new addition and his baptism!

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Try bestdressedchild.com.Congrtulations!

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