Blankets, and Bonnets, and Bibs, OH MY!

To many of our customers surprise, the ensemble for a traditional church christening consists of much more than a beautiful christening gown or christening suit.

For the well appointed christening, the infant will require matching or coordinating shoes, socks, bonnet, bib, and blanket! Sometimes even a special towel and miniature bible are necessary.

The christening blanket is usually a hand made, heirloom, or newly purchased item (to match a newly purchased christening gown or christening suit). Christening blankets are lighter weight than a normal baby blanket and made from fine materials, often with small embellishments to coordinate with the christening ensemble. Hand crocheted blankets, hand sewn blankets, and especially purchased blankets can all function as a christening blanket, but they should coordinate well with the color (which is almost always white) and embellishments or style of the actual christening gown or christening suit. The same logic applies to selection of the christening bib which is intended to keep the beautiful christening ensemble from marks when taking drinks or celebrating after the actual ceremony.

Shoes and socks are very easy, they can be plain white leather, canvas, satin, silk, the options are near endless. There are many styles available adorned and designed to match christening gowns and christening shuits. Christening shoes can have embroidered crosses, lace accents, satin rosettes, and any number of embellishments to accentuate their special function.

Our advice is to start with the main garment for the ceremony, the actual christening gown or christening suit. After this selection is made, coordinating the christening blanket, bib, shoes and socks will be a happy task for most families.

Well before your ceremony, be sure to make inquiries with your families on what items may be available from past generations. A few touches of the old-fashion, vintage, and heirloom will make the ensemble unique, meaningful to several generations in your families, and add an authenticity that "store bought" alone cannot provide. These special touches can include the handiwork of talented friends and family, something as simple as a string of hand crochet lace can make a christening bonnet a true treasure. Think about buttons from old wedding dresses and old christening garments that are not now wearable for your function. Small snips of antique lace can be hand appliqued to a bodice or hemline skirt.