Dear Carrie,

A baby's Christening is such a memorable family ritual in many cultures. It is a time of welcoming the newest addition into God's family, a time for rejoicing and a time for celebrating miracles.

You may have family members who are wonderful cooks each contribute one of the following or you may have it catered and arranged on fine crystal and china on beautiful hand-cut lace tablecloths. Many catering companies also include in their price the use of their china and crystals. If you don't have it catered, you may buy many of the items suggested below at fine delicatessens or grocery stores and then transfer the food to the fine serving platters. For easy clean-up, have fine chinette disposable plates and disposable cutlery with good white paper napkins.

Also, having fresh-cut vases of Spring flowers arranged with Baby's Breath would be lovely.

Here are some delicious ideas for your reception. Please let me know if you are interested in any ofthem and I will be happy to post the recipes.

A Baby's Christening Reception Menu

Fresh Hand Cut Vegetable Crudités
Accompanied by Imported and Domestic Cheeses
With English Biscuits and Ranch Dip

Hand Cut Fresh Seasonal Fruit and Cheese Display
Beautifully garnished and exquisitely arranged on a platter and served with
Raspberry Dipping Sauce and appropriate breads and crackers

Crab Cakes in Zesty Sauce

Hot Artichoke & Spinach Dip accompanied by Bread Sticks and/or English water crackers

Crab Dip with assorted Crackers

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Chicken Sate with spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce

Honey Baked Ham – Pre-Carved
Accompanied by assorted mini twist rolls and Dijon Mustard

Assorted Cookies and brownies on a beautifully cut glass platter

Tiramisu

Specialty Baked Cake – with Baby’s Name

For refreshments, I would have a punch in a glass crystal cut bowl with orange and lemon slices floating in it.