A christening is a century-old religious ritual celebrated in many societies worldwide. Although the main aim of a christening is baptism, it also presents a good opportunity for families and relatives to celebrate the gift of life and welcome newborns into the physical realm. If you have an infant and planning this once-in-a-lifetime event, one of the most important accessories that you should have at hand is a perfect christening gown. Many appealing designs are attainable offline and on the Internet at various price ranges. However, for best results, keep these desirable attributes in mind the next time you are out shopping:
Design
When you are on the market for a christening dress or gown for your bundle of joy, an essential attribute you should keep in mind is its design. Do you want a traditional gown or a contemporary one for your kid? While opinions are varied as to which type of gown is good for a christening, this diversity gives you room to experiment, and then choose a design that works best for your child. For instance, if your kid cannot walk and you are looking for a well-built gown that stays comfortable for long, a traditional or vintage model with a fitting hood might work well. On the other hand, for mobile toddlers, choose a gown that will not restrict his or her movement pre and post-ceremony. A contemporary romper (full gown or design with separate top and short) might work well.
Comfort
Although a christening is a one-off event that is relatively easier to plan, one of your major responsibilities as a parent is to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible during this event. After you have settled on a functional design that looks good on your child, check its fabric before you reach for your purse or wallet. Is the christening gown you are contemplating buying made of a synthetic fabric such as nylon or a natural one such as silk or cotton? While synthetic fabrics are cheaper and generally stain resistant than natural ones, avoid them at all costs when buying clothing for your baby. They are less comfortable and often contain harsh chemicals that might irritate his or her delicate skin. For maximum comfort, you should also check its fit. One of the worst mistakes you can make when buying a kid’s gown is to choose one that is smaller or larger than his or her size. Finally, choose a climate-appropriate gown. If the christening event will be on a hot day, for instance, buy a light gown and vice versa.
Safety
Safety hazards are common, especially on trendy baby clothing. To keep your baby safe during a christening ceremony, keep the gown as simple as possible. Keep choking hazards such as buttons to a minimum. You must also avoid belts and ribbons, especially around the neck area.
Colour
In the past, parents who were organising christening ceremonies for their children had to settle for dresses and gowns in traditional colours such as white and ivory. Today, however, they are attainable in a wider range of colours. With a bit of legwork, you can find a good christening gown in basic colours such as blue and green, and feisty ones such as pink and yellow. If your church and the coordinator of your child’s christening ceremony accepts coloured gowns, make a style statement.