Your friends and family will soon be gathering for your baby’s christening service. Of course, she wants the christening party that follows to be a wonderful occasion. Here are nine do’s and don’ts to make this a very special holiday.

1. SEND beautiful invitations. They don’t have to cost a lot. You can even make them yourself. Your invitations provide important information about the day’s events and set the tone for the party. You can even order custom photo christening invitations that include pictures of your little angel. They may serve an additional purpose by providing a royal keepsake for your guests.

2. DO NOT rule out a theme for your baptism party. White and gold decorations are not your only option. If you want to keep a spiritual tone, you can opt for Noah’s ark or baby lambs. Butterflies signify new life, so it would be a good choice. Angels are very popular. You can even find an angel costume to dress up a Build-a-Bear as your centerpiece. But there is no rule that says you have to wear decorations that are religious in nature. Feel free to decorate your house with colors and patterns that make you and your baby smile.

3. REMEMBER that the baptism party is usually right after the church service. You may want to host the festivities somewhere nearby, such as a church assembly hall or a nearby restaurant. If you decide to have the celebration at home, ask for help. You will certainly arrive at your home at the same time as your guests. So you could use a little help getting everything set up.

4. DON’T feel pressured to spend a lot of money. You can keep your costs down by serving only coffee and cake. Or you could have a simple buffet lunch with rolls, bread, various cold cuts and cheeses, and encourage guests to make their own sandwiches. A backyard barbecue is another possibility that can be inexpensive, especially if you limit your menu to hot dogs and hamburgers.

5. DO honor godparents. You may want to include their names on invitations or even party favors. Be sure to introduce them to everyone at the celebration. You might even want to give a little speech explaining why you were chosen for this role. Also, make sure they get copies of all the photos you take that day.

6. DO NOT overlook children. If there are a lot of children attending the party, be sure to make provisions to prevent them from getting bored. If the festivities will be at a restaurant, bring coloring books and other quiet games to keep them busy. If the celebration will be held at home, you can put on an animated DVD or arrange games for them to play.

7. DO consider baptism favors. Although these are not absolutely necessary, they are a nice gesture to say thank you for sharing this special day. There is a wide variety of items available that feature a religious theme, including bookmarks, candy bars, notebooks, magnets, key chains, and much more. You can even add your favorite Bible verse. Choose a personalized favor, perhaps even with your baby’s photo for a lasting keepsake your guests will treasure.

8. DON’T forget to make a memory book. It doesn’t have to be a fancy scrapbook. It only includes photographs and important details of this significant event. Your little angel will not remember this special day. But years from now, you can pull out the scrapbook and he can see it all for himself.

9. Make it a joy-filled celebration. This is the first step in your baby’s spiritual journey. So relax, have fun, laugh, enjoy the company of your loved ones and thank God for blessing you with this little angel.

Focus on the meaning of this day, but not with a dark reflection. It is a happy occasion! Just follow these tips and it will be a wonderful celebration for you and your baby.