Posts on Clarks Condensed contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. These are provided for your convenience, and the price is not increased at all.
Becoming eighth is an exciting time for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At this age, children can choose to be baptized as official members of the Church. Many families like to celebrate theirs LDS baptism having lunch or dinner with family and friends. Read on to find a great list of LDS baptismal topics and ideas, along with some fun and free baptism prints.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we know that the most important part of a person’s day of baptism is the actual baptism itself, along with their confirmation to receive the Holy Ghost. Whether you want to party with family and friends afterwards is a very personal decision that only you can make.
What is a baptismal theme?
Many families host lunch and brunch with dinner after their loved ones are baptized.
This is a great opportunity for close relatives and friends to gather to congratulate the newest member of the Church. If you have relatives who come from further away, it can be especially nice to host a get together with a meal or snack to enjoy before returning home.
Some people like to choose a theme to plan their reception. It can help you decide on food, decor, christening invitations, gifts, and more!
Take part in our weekly LDS newsletter!
LDS inspiration, activities, printouts, and more!
Sent straight to your email every week!
After that, it’s entirely up to you to throw a party. Many people have one, many don’t.
The most important thing to remember is to keep your focus on baptism and the covenants made. The party shouldn’t be the main event. If it’s overwhelming, keep it small or skip it all together. Instead, go to dinner as a family or have an un-themed party – the ideas we share are easy for those who decide on a theme for their party!
Free Baptism Printables
We have created a set of four super cute christening templates that you can print out and use at the baptism preview, at baptisms or simply as a decoration for your home or your child’s room! Just enter your email address and they will be sent to you immediately!
Baptism invites and programs
We have designed a few invitations and programs that you should review below to see if they would be good options for your baptism.
Tips for planning a baptism reception
- Find a place to host your party. Many churches do not allow you to have a meal in the same building where the baptism takes place. Therefore, contact neighboring congregations if you would like to host these in a church. Other places could be: your home or the home of a loved one, a park, a banquet hall, a restaurant, or your garden.
- Determine the guest list and send an invitation to those you want to include in the party
- Choose what type of food you want to serve
- If people offer to help with the meal, let them! It’s nice not to have to worry about everything
- If possible, set up tables, chairs, decorations, etc. in advance so you only have to show up after the baptsim
- Use paper goods and tablecloths for easy cleaning
- Have fun and no stress!
Baptism Ideas:
I like to look for rainbows
This is a great version of the primary song “When I Am Baptized”. It’s widely used in many baptisms and is super easy to peel off. Plan your deocr, treats, invitations and anything else you want around a rainbow theme
Here are examples from Little LDS Ideas, Parties With a Cause, and another one from Larcie Bird
Other ideas could be: brightly colored tablecloths, plates and other paper goods, rainbow print templates, a candy table filled with lots of brightly colored candy – including cellophane bags that guests can put candy in.
This was the theme we made for two of our daughters. We were able to find cheap decorations and serving dishes at The Dollar Tree which makes it super affordable.
I also found Bulk Candy online on Amazon.
It’s great to be 8
A quick look at Etsy will give you an idea of what to do while choosing this theme.
Some ideas could be: donuts or cookies linked to an 8, custom cookies with an 8, and invitations, programs or other printouts or decorations that focus on the number 8.
“Chews-The Right”
This is a fun twist on Choose The Right. Center everything around gum or other chewy candies. Would be fun to use this as a takeaway gift – especially if you are “chewing” (sorry – I had to!) To keep things simple! Adding a party favor is a simple but fun way to say thank you to your family and friends for coming!
Check out Etsy for prints and ideas – it will show you everything you need to know!
It is amazing that you chose to be baptized
Have a soda bar with lots of options!
Some ideas could be: funny syrups, creams, other additives like sprinkles, gummy worms or cherries and of course a large selection of lemonades!
Be sure to get straws and cups – something like that would be perfect!
If you have a soda bar, you may not have to serve anything else! When you do that, you can always make fruit and vegetable trays to balance out the sugar!
Pink and Gold, Sparkle and Shine
This is a fun idea if someone who loves something girlish! Sometimes a theme can be as simple as picking a combination of colors and centering all the other elements.
Find sparkling banners, tablecloths, and anything else to add that feminine touch.
After the rain
This is another take on the subject I like to look for rainbows, except that you focus on keeping everything white, pure and clean instead of using lots of colros.
Use white linen, paper goods, serving dishes, and find white decorations like crepe paper, white lanterns, lights, or white umbrellas. You could even use white flowers as centerpieces and serve white cakes or cookies.
Covid friendly ideas
- Host an online Zoom Meeting Reception – let yourself be pampered by local spectators and visit them virtually
- Drive past the reception or parade
- Wrap the treats one by one and hand them out to guests as they leave the baptism
Food themes
Sometimes a topic is as simple as focusing on the menu. Instead of getting into a lot of extra things, make it a themed meal instead.
- Icebear
- Pasta bar
- Taco bar
- Donuts and hot cocoa
- Lemonade and cookies
- Smore’s and hot dogs
Check out some of our other Latter-day Saint posts:
