Traditionally, for Catholics, a Christening is made as soon a baby is born. The earlier the ceremony, the better the spiritual life and soul of the child is protected from all manner of spiritual evils. For Protestants, they usually have a Christening during or after the first year of life of the child.
A baby blessing is usually done when the parents belong to different religions and they would want to make the child or young adult decide for themselves which religion they want to be baptized in. The ceremony falls short of a Christening, but it is still enmeshed in religious beliefs. Some strict followers of a religion may not agree or may even disapprove of this practice, but they would still be satisfied that the child is soul is still going to be protected from spirits that may harm it.
Ask a priest or a pastor to perform the ceremony, however, for Catholics, a lay priest may have to be contacted as generally priests would not agree, but it really depends on the priest. The usual setting is not in a Church or a Chapel; it may have to be in the home of the parents or grandparents.
Once the priest, lay priest or pastor agrees to a specific schedule, then and only then prepare the decorations that have to be kept as simple as possible. Keep the decorations of a light colors or white, and add some floral arrangements in the same hues and light colors.
The food can be home made, but if this is too much for the mother, then ask a caterer to do it for you. However, usually, extended families and good friends can help out in the food preparations and this is usually preferred for the food would be hearty soul food that everyone would enjoy. And this is the time for the extended family to brag about their accomplishments in the kitchen, all for the sake of the baby of course.
There should be a baby blessing cake, of course, and this could be delicately flavored cake frosted white and scattered with edible flowers and candied fruits. Some even have traditional fruit cake as this can symbolize health, purity and a full life. Fruit cake is a traditional cake served in religious occasions for more than a thousand years.
When the readings, pledges and speeches are done, it is time for the real celebration to begin: toasting the child’s health, future Godparents pledging their love and support and protection, and best of all, the eating and the dancing. This is not a strictly religious based reception, it is more informal and more fun and dancing is acceptable.
Party favors can be in the form of frosted mini fruit cakes wrapped in white tulle and tied off with a white ribbon. Give these away as the guests leave. Add a little token of your appreciation: a Thank You card, or a small gift of a miniature crystal or glass baby.