Christening Traditions - One Small Child

We love a Christening that includes special traditions! Sentimental family traditions connect you and your little one with previous and future generations. Even if you’re not continuing a heritage, it’s never too late to start your own! Your little darling will appreciate that you planned to stay connected with your posterity.

Today, we’re sharing some sweet Irish Christening traditions that we adore! Guests can’t help but feel like part of the family when witnessing these fun customs.

A Special Handkerchief-Irish brides are given a special white handkerchief to carry on their wedding day. This handkerchief is turned into her firstborn child’s Christening bonnet. Then, the bonnet is unstitched and given to the bride to be at the baby’s wedding.

Wedding Cake to Christening Blessing-Newlyweds keep the top layer of their wedding cake for the Christening of their firstborn. At the Christening celebration, the parents sprinkle pieces of the cake over their little one’s head, wishing their child a long and prosperous life.

Irish Christening Gown-Shamrocks or Celtic crosses are often embroidered on the wee one’s outfit for good luck. Traditional Irish Christening gowns are made from Irish flax linen and lace.

A Sleeping Beauty-For added luck, baby will sleep in his baptism outfit the night before his Christening.

Coin Charm-To ensure a prosperous life, parents put a silver coin in their little one’s hand to hold during the ceremony.

An Irish Blessing-Irish blessings are a big part of tradition. These can be said during the ceremony, as a prayer, at the reception.

Let’s get sentimental. A baby’s Christening or Baptism is his first big event in a lifetime of religious faith. It’s something to be remembered years down the road. Most of us have a trinket or two from different special events that have become a keepsake to us–a prized possession. Our Christening keepsakes have become our treasures as years have passed. Each memento serves as a memory and link to the past; the beginning promise of a wonderful life. These treasures are often shared with our family and close friends, bringing us together with love and memories. These are precious traditions! As parents, we long for our children to have the same special sentiments, the same fond memories and feel the same love. These are some sweet Christening sentiments that can become mementos for baby’s lifetime and even generations to come.

Christening gowns often become treasured keepsakes that are used by many other children in the family and handed down from generation to generation
Other Christening clothing, such as a slip, is often shared between siblings. Each one’s initials can be embroidered on the hem to make it even more special
Christening booties become a lifetime keepsake
A cross necklace can be shared between siblings and generations
A special picture frame becomes a lifetime keepsake
A special memory book from the event to share the event with future generations
Baby’s boutonniere may become part of the wedding bouquet or garter
Baby’s bracelet may become part of the wedding bouquet or garter
Baby’s bonnet may become a trousseau hankie
Her headband can become her wedding garter
A special scripture book may be used at their first communion, then become a wedding keepsake
A special Mother’s hankie can be used at all her precious little one’s special occasions, including the wedding down the road

{Turn your Christening headband into your wedding garter.}

Share with us! What sweet Christening traditions do you have?

Tag: Christening Traditions

Irish Christening Traditions

Traditions: Sweet Christening Keepsakes