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If you’re here, and your planning an LDS baptism, you just hit the mother load my friend 😉 I am sharing all about my son’s baptism. And lucky for you, I spent a crazy-amount of time preparing for his baptism and you get to reap the benefits. You’re welcome! If you follow my stories, you’ve seen most of this already. He’s a first child, what can I say? Here we go: LDS baptism ideas & free printables!! You can now check out details from me second oldest’s baptism here. 

We did send out baptism announcements. You can see those here, there is a free template and I also offer my services to personalize it for you for $10.  (Just email me at partylikeacherry@gmail.com) I also offer the “Baptism Pack” for $25 which includes digital files of a personalized invitation, scripture hero poster & program. Email with details if interested.

Baptism Set-up Ideas

At the Church:

I set up a little table at the entrance of the Relief Society room, I wanted to dress it up without going overboard, which as you know is not my strong-suit. But my sweet husband kept reminding me that we needed to keep the focus on the ordinance, and of course he was right. But I couldn’t do NOTHING! So of course we had the programs, which I printed on CARDSTOCK (I think it makes all the difference).

It looked better before I took out all the last names! Hah. I can create a similar program for you for $15 if you email me all the details for the program. There is a back side with the song lyrics as well. partylikeacherry@gmail.com

Here is a close up of the poster we displayed at the entrance: 

This is a 16X20 (which he now has hanging over his bed) that I had printed at Costco for $15.  If you have a similar photo with “dead space” I am happy to create a poster JPEG for you for $10, just email partylikeacherry@gmail.com

I also tweaked his baptism invitation slightly, made it into an 8X10 and put it in a frame at the entrance:

And on the table I put a book of mormon, you know just one of those cheap ones the missionaries hand out. In the back of the book of mormon my husband and I each wrote our testimonies. We also marked our favorite scriptures. I put highlighters and pens on the table along with a note asking people to do the same. He loves his special “baptism scriptures” with everyone’s notes in the back! I also took the book of mormon back to our home afterwards and asked all the family members who hadn’t already to write something. So now he has notes from grandparents, aunts, uncles cousins, and friends- its pretty cool!

I have a link at the bottom where you can download that little sign, along with many other printables.

It was a nice thing to keep people busy while we were waiting for everyone to arrive too.

One excited and nervous little boy! We had a great baptism that included a talk from Grandma & Grandpa on baptism (puppets included) a musical number that my mom and I did, and a talk from other Grandma on the holy ghost (treasure box included). Luckily a dear friend took my baby and walked the halls with him so I could just sit and enjoy. (well other than the part where I played my violin, I hate doing that in front of people!!).

Afterwards we had refreshments at the church, we tried to keep it small & low key (not my strong-suit) to keep the emphasis on the ordinance.  But I still wanted to have a little something, it’s no small task to get dressed in your Sunday-best in the middle of a SATURDAY when you are 8 years old, so I wanted to reward all his little friends that came to support him.

I just put out a regular dollar store white tablecloth, and used the streamers and a little tape to make it rainbow-esque. And we did soda floats! We splurged and got the good soda. But WAY too much of it. I think you can count on about 1 bottle for every 2 guests. 

Kinda funny to be talking about how many 6-packs to bring to a baptism 😉

I enlisted my dad and brothers to do the scooping. I set the ice cream out on the counter right before the baptism so it would be easy to scoop, but it was little TOO easy to scoop. So I’m not sure. I think 20-30 minutes before you want to scoop it is ideal. (we used the huge tubs of vanilla ice cream. I got 4 and once again had way too much. We probably only needed 2 and we had the Relief Society room about 3/4 full).

And what’s a party without a good pun?

I had to rope this sweet boy into having one! He had been strategizing all week about which flavors and combos he was going to try, but when it came to it he said “no thank you” ?!?! I made him have one b/c I knew how much he had wanted one before! Later I asked him what was up and he said “I was just feeling special and didn’t want one”. Seriously? Can I keep this kid? So we had a talk about what he was feeling was the spirit.

Afterwards we had a photoshoot with everyone. Unfortunately it was getting dark, which is something to consider when planning the time of your baptism! I had thought about that but we were forced into the time for several reasons.

My husband had a really cool idea of getting matching ties for the two of them to wear. He said it could be their special ties and anytime something really big happens in Cameron’s life my husband plans to wear that tie (getting the priesthood, getting married etc). Then it will be something really cool for Cameron to keep once he passes. I guess my hubby has been thinking about death lately since his Grandpa passed. I ended up finding these ties on amazon- where else? Adult version(skinny tie, not the one pictured) Boys version 

And I did manage a picture with my not-so-little man!

Ideas to Celebrate the Baptism at Home

After the baptism we headed home with all our extended family for tacos (his favorite) and dessert. More sugar!

I went with the rainbow theme, decided to keep it classic. I was a little worried about making it too feminine, however, as rainbows can seem more girl-y. So with the printables I really tried to make those gender-neutral. (wow I guess I’m so PC all of a sudden?) 

To make the rainbow I used streamers and sticky tac and then poms for the clouds.

I wanted to make 8 shaped cookies and could NOT believe there is a baptism cookie cutter set!!! I was shocked! And no, my cookies don’t look nearly as good as the ones pictured on amazon. But man were they delicious. 

And my wonderful mother-in-law made the gorgeous cupcakes: 

These would be super cute to bring TO the baptism, but I didn’t want to waste them on all those guys 😉 So I kept them home and kept the store bought soda and ice cream for the big crowds.

Baptism Bonus Tip

By the way, a little bonus tip/idea: we got our jumpsuits the Sunday before so I could wash them. Also we were able to do a little photoshoot at home before we left for the baptism, this may or may not be possible in your ward. And my hubby opted to wear his temple clothes instead of a jumpsuit- can’t say I blame him!

Baptism Shopping List

• Sicky tac    <— I use this for every party!
• poms
• streamers in rainbow colors
• tablecloth
• cookie cutters
• matching ties
• Soda (about one 6-pack for every 10 people).
• Ice Cream (about one gallon for every 15 people)
• Cups
• Spoons <— these ones with the long handles are great for floats

Baptism Printables

I’ve included a couple printables for free, and you can access them by clicking below. And then if you want to purchase the entire matching bundle you can do that as well! It includes over 15 pages of printables, that coordinate together.

Baptism Rainbow Printable Pack

Includes: cupcake toppers, banner, and six 8X10 prints, as well as scripture marking sign.

Most are sized at 8X10 and I recommend having them printed as photos for best results. I love creating and sharing things with you guys!

Baptism Resources Round Up:

• Great to be 8 Ideas and Printables
• Baptism Announcement Template
• Black & White cookie bar from my son’s baptism
• DIY Donut bar from my son’s baptism
• Fun and easy baptism talk idea from my friend Justine!