Baptism Ideas and Favors: A Simple Plan, Favor Boxes and Thank-You Tags
Most baptisms are followed by a short, relaxed gathering: brunch at home, lunch at a restaurant, or cake in the parish hall. You don't need much. A welcome sign, a cake, a favor for each guest with the baby's name and the date, and a nice photo spot cover it. Here's how to plan that, with quantities, wording and a timeline.
Baptism reception ideas that keep it simple
Brunch after a morning service. Easy food, short timing, and the baby can nap afterward.
Lunch at a restaurant. Ask for a private table and bring the welcome sign and favors with you.
Cake and coffee at the parish hall or at home. Ideal for a large family with small children.
Whatever you pick, choose one color story and repeat it on the invitation, the sign, the cake topper and the favors. Popular choices:
White and sage green with olive or eucalyptus leaves. Calm, works for any baby.
White and gold. Classic and simple.
Soft blue or soft pink. With small clouds, doves or a little bear with a hot air balloon.
Baptism favors guests actually like
A good favor is small, pretty and easy to carry home from church. Ideas that work:
Treat boxes with sugared almonds, chocolates or mints. Sugared almonds are a long-standing favor at many European christenings, and they fit a small box.
Cookies in a printed bag with a topper, iced or plain.
A small candle with a printed label.
Seed packets or a little plant with a tag: "Watch me grow."
A bookmark with the baby's name and date, for guests who like to keep something flat.
Honey or jam jars with a printed label, for a family that loves homemade gifts.
If you're making boxes at home, How to Make a Favor Box at Home: Print, Cut and Fold walks you through printing, scoring and gluing.
What to write on the tag
Keep it short. The name, the occasion and the date are what people look for later.
"Thank you for celebrating Emma's baptism · May 3, 2026"
"Liam's Christening · 05.03.2026"
"With love and thanks · Sofia's Baptism"
Use the baby's first name, and add the church name only if you want. Order the personalized tags early: we confirm the delivery date by email before you approve the proof.
How many favors to make
One per household or per couple is enough for most families. Some prefer one per guest.
Children often get their own, even when you count favors per household.
Add 10% extra for guests who bring someone, and a few spares for photos.
Godparents usually get a separate, slightly nicer gift (see below).
For 40 guests in about 18 households, that's about 18 to 20 favors, plus the children's.
Baptism decorations
You don't need a full backdrop. These pieces make the room feel ready:
A welcome sign at the door, Letter or A4, in a frame.
A cake topper with the baby's name or a simple symbol like a dove or an olive branch. Pick a topper size that suits your cake.
Cupcake toppers if you're serving cupcakes.
Food labels and tent cards for the buffet.
A guest book, or a printed sheet where guests write a wish for the baby.
A small photo display of the baby's first months.
If you want a sweets table too, our guide on How to Set Up a Candy Table: Layout, Heights, Candy per Guest and Labels has heights, jar counts and label quantities.
Gift ideas for godparents
The godparents often get something more personal. Ideas:
A framed print with the baby's name, the baptism date and a short thank-you.
A small box with a printed card that reads "Thank you for saying yes."
A keepsake ornament or candle with a personalized label.
Some families ask the godparents with a small gift months before. A printed card inside a box is a sweet way to do it.
Three mistakes to avoid
Printing with "fit to page" on. The box comes out smaller and the chocolates don't fit. Always print at actual size, 100%.
Cardstock too heavy for your printer. If it jams or the ink smears, go down a weight or try the rear feed tray.
Chocolate in summer heat. Keep the filled favors somewhere cool until the party, or switch to sugared almonds or mints.
Timeline
Two to three months before: set the date with the parish and ask about any preparation they require. Ask the godparents.
Six weeks before: choose the color story, book the restaurant or plan the menu.
Four to six weeks before: send invitations, printed or by text.
Two weeks before: order the cake, buy the favor fillings, and order personalized printables.
One week before: print, cut and assemble the favors. Tie the tags.
The day before: pack favors in a box in the order you'll set them out. Charge the camera.
Paper and printing tips
Boxes and tags: 65 to 80 lb cover cardstock (about 176 to 216 g/m²), matte, white.
Signs: the same cardstock, or a photo print at a copy shop if you want deep colors.
Printer settings: actual size or 100%, highest quality, and the right paper type in the driver.
Test one piece first. Print and fold one box before printing all 20.
FAQ
What is the difference between a baptism and a christening?
In everyday use, many families use the words interchangeably for the same celebration. "Baptism" is the more common search term in the US; use whichever word your family and church use on the invitation.
Do you give favors at a baptism?
Many families do, especially at a reception after the service. It's a thank-you, not an obligation. A small box or tag with the baby's name is plenty.
When should I send baptism invitations?
Four to six weeks ahead is common. Give out-of-town guests more notice.
Shop this post
Baptism favor box template in sage green botanical design
Personalized round thank-you tags for baptism favors
Baptism cake topper with dove or olive branch
Baptism welcome sign, printable
Baptism text invitation to send by phone
See every baptism set in Baptism & Christening.
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