DRESS. The mother wears an elaborate reception
gown to the church, with white gloves and
a light hat or bonnet.
If the ceremony is at the house, she can
wear an elaborate tea-gown.
The guests wear afternoon or evening
dress, according whether the ceremony comes
before or after 6 P.M.
FLOWERS. A christening ceremony offers a good
opportunity for the guests who desire to
present flowers to the mother. This is not
obligatory, however, and must remain a
matter of personal taste.
GIFTS. A christening ceremony offers a good
opportunity for the invited guests, if they
desire, to send a present to the baby.
These should be sent a day or two before
the ceremony, and if of silver should be
marked with the child's name, initials, or
monogram.
GUESTS. The invitations should be promptly
answered.
At a church ceremony the guests, as they
are few in number, assemble in the front
pews.
At a large house christening the affair is
conducted somewhat like an afternoon reception.
Wine is drunk to the child's health,
and the guests take leave of the hostess.
INVITATIONS are issued by the wife only to intimate
friends, and should be promptly answered.
If the christening is made a formal entertainment,
to take place in the drawing-room,
the invitations may be engraved.
MEN. If the ceremony is in the afternoon they
wear afternoon dress, but at an evening
affair evening dress.
At an afternoon ceremony in the summer
it is allowable for the men to wear straw
hats and light flannel suits.
At a large house christening the affair
should be conducted somewhat like a reception,
and men on departing should take leave
of the hostess.
WOMEN dress as they would for an afternoon reception
if the ceremony comes in the afternoon, and if it comes
after breakfast or luncheon, as they would for a breakfast
or luncheon.
At a large house christening the affair
should be conducted like a reception, and
women should take leave of the hostess on
their departure.
CHURCH. A man usually follows the woman, who
leads to the pew, and he enters after her,
closing the door as he does so.
He should find the places in the service
book for her.
This same courtesy he should extend to a
woman who is a stranger to him.