How to Find a Christening Gown

It's the second big day in your baby's life: christening day. All you need is a white gown, which sounds simple enough. Finding a christening gown can be more difficult to find than you would think it would be. Here are some places to look for the perfect christening gown for your baby.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Family heirloom gown
• Computer
• Internet connection
• eBay website
• eBay account
• Mass retail outlet, like Macy's, Walmart or Target
• Children's resale or consignment store
• Sewing machine
• Fabric store
• Pattern for a christening gown or simple long dress
• White fabric
• Trim, lace or ribbons

1. Borrow a family heirloom if it is the right size for your baby. Ask your parents or your in-laws if they still have the gown that they used for a christening, or see if there is another family member willing to let you borrow the gown that they used for their child.

2. Check out the options that are available on an online auction site, like eBay. This can be a wild card option, since one week there may be several adorable antique christening gowns, and the next week you can only find a vendor specializing in bulk gown sales.

3. Try the baby departments of your local mass retailers if you are in a time crunch. Almost every one will have a christening gown or two for sale, or at least a plain white dress that you could embellish later with some trim or lace if you wish.

4. See what's available at your local children's resale or consignment store. This can be hit or miss. You may even find a gown that has never been worn and still has the original price tags on it.

5. Warm up your sewing machine if you have one, or see if you have a friend who is willing to stitch up a christening gown if you don't like any of the options out there. Local fabric stores carry a selection of patterns, and you can customize fabrics, trim, ribbons and lace to your heart's content to create a one of a kind masterpiece for your special baby boy or girl.

Tips & Warnings

• Save time on eBay by posting a description of what you are looking for in a christening gown in a "Want it Now" post. Sellers will contact you about items they currently have for sale or items they will soon post for sale.
• If your local resale shop owner is receptive, tell him or her what kind of christening gown you are hoping to find. The perfect gown may come in to their store over the next few days if you are lucky.
• Preserve your christening gown for the next boy or girl in the family by storing it in a plain muslin bag or unbleached cotton pillowcase. This will preserve the gown better than a vinyl bag or a paper lined box (even if it is acid-free). Hang the gown on a hanger, make a hole for the hanger bend to come out at the bottom of the pillowcase or bag, drape it over the hanger and store in a cool, dry location.
• Never buy a gown on eBay or online unless you are sure it will fit your baby.
• Get your baby's measurements and ask the seller what the gown's measurements are in critical areas (around the chest under the arms, around the neck and length). Don't just assume that the 6 month size will fit your child.
• Consider what time of year you will have the baby baptized and your climate when ordering a gown. Sure, that fur-trimmed model may look absolutely stunning, but your baby will be sweltering if you have him or her christened in it during a hot summer.