Food for a Baptism or Naming Ceremony: Complete Menu Ideas

You have set the date, found the baptism outfit, and sent the invitations. Now comes the big question: what on earth should you serve?

Many new parents stress unnecessarily about food for a baptism or naming ceremony. Let us be clear right away: there are no rules about what you have to serve. Pizza is completely fine. Tacos are completely fine. A homemade buffet is completely fine. What matters most is that you celebrate your baby without burning yourself out from stress.

In this guide you will find complete menu ideas for every ambition level — from ordering everything to a full spread — plus quantity guides for food and drink, and a ready-to-use shopping list.

Before You Choose a Menu — Think About This

The right menu choice is more about the framework than the food itself. Ask yourself:

Time of day: A ceremony is usually over around lunch. Are you serving lunch, afternoon food, or dinner? Lunch can be lighter than dinner. Afternoon with cakes is the simplest option.

Season: A summer celebration opens up for grilling and cold dishes. A winter celebration calls for warm food — soup, stew, or a warm buffet.

Number of guests: A typical celebration has 15–30 guests. A buffet works best for groups over 10. A sit-down dinner is nice for under 15.

Children on the guest list: Count on about half the guests bringing children. Always have something simple available — bread, fruit, mini hot dogs.

Dietary needs: Ask guests in advance. Common considerations are gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, and nut allergies. Label the food clearly.

Honest assessment: How much energy do you have? You have a baby. You may not be sleeping well. Be honest with yourself about your energy level. Better to order something simple and enjoy the party than to spend all day in the kitchen.

Order and Relax

No need to make everything yourself. Here are the options for those who want to focus on the celebration:

Pizza

Yes, pizza at a baptism is completely fine. Order from a local pizzeria — get a variety like margherita, pepperoni, and one with chicken or shrimp for some variation. Tips to make it feel a bit fancier:

• Cut the pizzas into smaller pieces and arrange on serving platters
• Have a simple green salad on the side
• Set out olive oil and balsamic vinegar
• Count 2–3 slices per person as a starter, more if pizza is the only course

Sushi

Sushi catering is popular and surprisingly affordable for groups. Most sushi places offer party packages. Order a mix of maki, nigiri, and California rolls. Count 10–15 pieces per person.

Ready-Made Buffet from the Store

Many deli counters and grocery stores offer ready-made party platters. You can put together:

• Charcuterie platter (prosciutto, salami, coppa)
• Shrimp platter
• Smoked salmon platter
• Cheese platter with nuts and fruit
• Ready-made potato salad and Waldorf salad

Add good bread from the bakery, butter, and a few dressings, and you have a lovely spread without touching a single saucepan.

Catering

Catering companies offer everything from sandwich packages to complete dinners. Price varies, but count on $30–80 per person depending on your ambition level. Tips:

• Book early — popular catering companies fill up fast during celebration season
• Ask if they deliver and set up, or whether you pick up yourself
• Check if plates, cutlery, and napkins are included
• Ask for a menu that includes something for children

Sandwiches and Wraps from a Bakery

Many bakeries make sandwich platters and wraps to order. Count 3–4 sandwiches or 2–3 wraps per person.

Semi-Homemade — a Bit of Both

It does not have to be all or nothing. Combine bought and homemade for a menu that feels personal without exhausting you.

Taco Bar

One of the most popular party dishes anywhere, and it scales up easily:

• Ground beef with taco seasoning (make from scratch with cumin, paprika, and garlic for extra flavor)
• Chicken fajitas with bell pepper and onion
• Guacamole (can be made the day before)
• Salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese
• Various salads and vegetables
• Hard and soft shells, flour tortillas

Count 150–200 grams (5–7 oz) of meat per adult. For 25 guests you need about 2.5–3 kg (5–6 lbs) ground beef and 1.5–2 kg (3–4 lbs) chicken.

Lasagna + Salad + Good Bread

Classic, filling, and easy to prepare the day before:

• Make two large baking dishes of lasagna (one regular, one vegetarian)
• Buy ready-made green salad with dressing
• Get good bread from the bakery
• Set out parmesan for grating on top

One large baking dish (approx. 12x16 inches / 30x40 cm) gives 8–10 servings. For 25 guests you need 3 dishes.

Simple Tapas Mix

Buy what you do not feel like making, and make what you enjoy:

Buy: Olives, hummus, charcuterie, cheese (manchego, brie), nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, breadsticks

Make: Focaccia (the dough takes 10 min, can rise overnight), meatballs in tomato sauce (freeze in advance), bruschetta topping

Soup + Rolls (Perfect for a Winter Celebration)

Soup is underrated for gatherings. Make a big pot of fish chowder, French onion soup, or creamy tomato soup. Serve with freshly baked rolls or good bread.

• Fish chowder: Use salmon, cod, shrimp, and vegetables in a creamy base
• French onion soup with gratinéed cheese: Rich, affordable, and can be made the day before
• Creamy tomato soup with basil: Vegetarian-friendly and universally loved

Count 1–1.5 cups (3–4 dl) of soup per person. For 25 guests you need about 2–2.5 gallons (8–10 liters).

Stew — Underrated and Stress-Free

Stews are perfect for celebrations: you make everything the day before, heat it up, and you are done.

• Beef bourguignon — a bit fancy but feels festive. Made with inexpensive stewing beef and red wine.
• Chili con carne — easy to scale up, popular with all ages. Serve with rice, sour cream, and tortilla chips.
• Lamb stew with root vegetables — perfect for fall and winter celebrations.
• Pulled pork — see below for a simple slow cooker version.
• Classic chicken stew — everyone loves it, easy to make ahead.

Count 1–1.5 cups (3–4 dl) of stew per person. For 25 guests you need about 2–2.5 gallons (8–10 liters) — usually 2 large pots. Always serve good bread on the side.

The best thing about stews: the flavor only improves overnight. Make the stew the day before and reheat while you are getting ready.

Pulled Pork in a Slow Cooker

Put a pork shoulder in the slow cooker the night before, and wake up to a finished main dish:

• 3–4 kg (6–8 lbs) pork shoulder feeds 20–25 guests
• Serve with brioche buns, coleslaw, BBQ sauce, and pickled red onion
• Add a green salad and corn on the cob on the side

Impress Without Stressing

These menus take more time, but with smart planning (see the next section) they are completely doable without losing your mind.

Greek Grill Menu

Perfect for a summer celebration. Everything is marinated the day before and grilled on the day:

• Souvlaki in three varieties: Pork, lamb, and chicken marinated in lemon, garlic, and oregano. Skewered on sticks.
• Lemon potatoes: Potatoes in the oven with lemon, garlic, and oregano. Can be prepared and put straight into the oven.
• Greek salad: Tomato, cucumber, red onion, olives, and feta with good olive oil
• Tzatziki: Yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and mint. Make the day before — it improves overnight.
• Hummus: Chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic. Make the day before.
• Grilled halloumi: Cut into slices and grill 2–3 minutes per side
• Pita bread: Buy ready-made and warm in the oven
• Broccoli salad: Raw broccoli with sunflower seeds, cranberries, bacon, and a tangy dressing

For 25 guests: Count 250 grams (9 oz) of meat per person spread across three types. That means about 2 kg (4 lbs) each of pork, lamb, and chicken.

Full Tapas Spread

The number of dishes means each individual one can be simple:

• Homemade quiches: 2–3 varieties (spinach and feta, chicken and bell pepper, tomato and cheese). Make and freeze weeks in advance.
• Focaccia: Bake 2–3 baking sheets with different toppings (olives, rosemary, tomato)
• Meatballs in tomato sauce: Make 60–80 and freeze. Heat up on the day.
• Garlic shrimp: Quick to sauté, made right before serving
• Charcuterie: Buy ready-made — prosciutto, salami, coppa, bresaola
• Cheeses: Manchego, brie, blue cheese, gouda. Set out with honey and nuts.
• Olives and marinated vegetables: Buy ready-made
• Garlic bread: Spread garlic butter on baguettes, wrap in foil, warm in the oven

Classic Cold Buffet

The traditional choice that never goes out of style:

• Smoked salmon with lemon and cream sauce
• Scrambled eggs (make a large batch right before serving)
• Shrimp salad or shrimp with mayonnaise and lemon
• Roast beef (roast the day before, slice cold)
• Charcuterie — ham, salami, prosciutto
• Potato salad with mustard dressing
• Waldorf salad with apple, celery, grapes, and walnuts
• Good bread — sourdough, ciabatta, rye bread
• Butter, mustard, and horseradish as accompaniments

Smart Planning: Freeze, Prepare, Delegate

The key to being a relaxed host is to do as much as possible in advance. Here is what you can do when:

One Month Before

• Make and freeze meatballs, quiches, focaccia, pulled pork, soups
• Most baked goods freeze well for 4–6 weeks
• Label everything with name and date

One Week Before

• Make marinades for meat (store in the fridge)
• Bake bread that can be frozen (focaccia, rolls)
• Shop for everything that is not perishable (canned goods, spices, dry goods, drinks)

The Day Before

• Make salads (potato salad, Waldorf salad, broccoli salad, coleslaw)
• Make tzatziki, hummus, guacamole, dressings
• Cut vegetables for salad/accompaniments
• Set the table, put out plates and cutlery
• Thaw frozen dishes in the fridge

Celebration Day

• Heat up whatever needs to be warm (meatballs, quiches, soup)
• Make scrambled eggs, sauté shrimp, grill meat — things that need to be fresh
• Arrange cold dishes on platters
• Set out bread and accompaniments

Delegate

You do not have to do everything yourself. Specific tasks you can ask family and friends about:

• "Can you bring a salad?"
• "Can you handle dessert/the cake?"
• "Can you come an hour early and help arrange the food?"
• "Can you man the grill while we are at the ceremony?"

Most guests are happy to contribute — you just need to ask specifically.

Quantity Guide: Food

Here are the rules of thumb for a buffet. Figures are per adult:

Important adjustments:

• Children under 10: Count half a portion
• Buffet vs. sit-down: Add 10–20% extra for a buffet, people take more when serving themselves
• Lunch vs. dinner: Lunch can be 20% less than dinner
• More dishes: If you have 4–5 different dishes on the buffet, you need less of each, but the same total
• Always have a bit of extra bread: Bread is cheap insurance against hungry guests

Drinks: Quantities and Tips

Alcohol

Many guests at a baptism or naming ceremony are parents of young children and may drink less than at other parties. Do not over-buy.

Tips:

• Have both red and white wine — split about 60/40 white/red in summer, the opposite in winter
• Buy in advance — you can usually return unopened bottles
• Many choose to have an alcohol-free celebration — that is completely normal

Non-Alcoholic

Homemade lemonade: Cheap and impressive. Juice 8–10 lemons, mix with 2 liters (half a gallon) of water and 2/3 cup (150 ml) of sugar. Add mint leaves and ice cubes. Make a raspberry or passion fruit version as well.

Complete Example Menu with Shopping List

Here is a complete Greek grill menu for 20–25 guests, with a shopping list, timeline, and estimated budget.

Menu: Greek Grill for a Summer Celebration

Main courses:

• Souvlaki skewers with pork, lamb, and chicken
• Grilled halloumi

Sides:

• Lemon potatoes
• Greek salad
• Broccoli salad with sunflower seeds
• Tzatziki
• Hummus
• Pita bread

Dessert:

• Celebration cake (order or make yourself)
• Fresh fruit and berries

Shopping List (20–25 Guests)

Meat and cheese (order from a butcher or buy on sale):

• 2 kg (4 lbs) pork (shoulder or loin), cubed
• 2 kg (4 lbs) lamb (shoulder or leg), cubed
• 2 kg (4 lbs) chicken breast, cubed
• 500 g (1 lb) halloumi (2–3 packages)

Vegetables and fruit:

• 1 kg (2 lbs) tomatoes
• 4 cucumbers
• 3 red onions
• 2 large heads of broccoli
• 8 lemons
• 2 bags baby spinach
• 1 package mint leaves
• 2 heads of garlic

Dairy:

• 500 g (1 lb) Greek yogurt (for tzatziki)
• 300 g (10 oz) feta cheese
• Butter

Dry goods and canned goods:

• 2 cans chickpeas (for hummus)
• 1 jar tahini
• 1 jar kalamata olives
• 1 bag sunflower seeds
• 1 bag dried cranberries
• Pita bread (3–4 packages)
• Wooden skewers (2 packages)

Spices and oil:

• Good olive oil (1 liter)
• Dried oregano
• Cumin
• Salt and pepper

Potatoes:

• 3–4 kg (6–8 lbs) waxy potatoes (such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes)

Drinks:

• 12 bottles of wine (7 white, 5 red)
• 50 cans/bottles of beer
• 5 gallons (20 liters) sparkling and still water
• 1.5 gallons (5 liters) juice
• Coffee and tea
• Ice (3–4 bags)

Timeline

1 week before:

• Shop for everything that is not perishable
• Buy drinks
• Make hummus (keeps 5–7 days in the fridge)

2 days before:

• Shop for perishables (meat, vegetables, dairy)
• Marinate the meat in lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil (store in the fridge)

The day before:

• Make tzatziki
• Make broccoli salad (without dressing — add it on the day)
• Cut vegetables for Greek salad (store separately, combine on the day)
• Peel and cut potatoes, store in water in the fridge
• Set the table and prepare serving platters

Celebration day — 2 hours before guests arrive:

• Put potatoes in the oven (400°F/200°C, 45–60 min) with lemon, garlic, and oregano
• Thread meat onto skewers
• Toss Greek salad and add dressing to broccoli salad
• Set out cold dishes, pita bread, tzatziki, and hummus
• Prepare the grill

Celebration day — 30 min before serving:

• Grill the skewers (8–10 min per side)
• Grill halloumi (2–3 min per side)
• Warm pita bread in the oven

Estimated Budget

That works out to about $15–25 per guest — far cheaper than catering, and with much more personal character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is typically served at a baptism or naming celebration?

The most common options are a cold buffet, tapas, sandwiches, or a simple buffet with one hot dish and salad. Many also choose to order catering or invite guests for cake and coffee without a full meal. There are no rules — choose what fits your budget and energy level.

Can you serve tacos at a baptism?

Absolutely. Tacos are one of the most popular party dishes anywhere, and they work great as celebration food. They are easy to scale up, everyone can customize their own plate, and most guests — including children — love them.

How much food do I need for 20 guests?

Count 500–600 grams (about 1.2 lbs) of total food per adult guest for a buffet. That means 10–12 kg (22–26 lbs) of food in total for 20 adults. Children under 10 eat about half that. Remember to add 10–20% extra for a buffet, as guests tend to take more than at a sit-down dinner.

Should there be alcohol at a baptism celebration?

That is entirely up to you. Many celebrations have wine and beer, while others are alcohol-free. Remember that many guests are parents of young children and may be driving. Always have good non-alcoholic options regardless. A nice middle ground is to offer a glass of sparkling wine for the toast, and otherwise keep it simple.

How much does food for a baptism or naming celebration cost?

A homemade buffet for 25 guests typically costs $350–600 including drinks. Catering costs $30–80 per person. Cake and coffee is the most affordable option — count $5–10 per guest.

Choose What Works for You

The most important thing about food for a baptism or naming ceremony is that you choose something you can actually pull off without stress. A happy host with pizza on the table beats an exhausted host with a five-course meal every single time.

Start by deciding your ambition level. Find the menu that fits. Use the shopping lists and timelines in this guide. And remember: your guests are there to celebrate your baby, not to judge the menu.

Need help with the rest of the planning? Check our complete guide to planning a baptism or naming ceremony for everything about the ceremony, godparents, and traditions. See the baptism checklist to stay organized. And do not forget the celebration cake guide for sweet table inspiration.

Check the celebration checklist — everything you need for the big day

Useful Tools for the Celebration

• Find the perfect gift — Answer 4 questions and get personal recommendations
• How much should you give as a gift? — Budget calculator for gifts
• Create a gift wishlist — Share with guests and avoid duplicates
• Plan the celebration — Checklist from 3 months before

Sources: Kitchn — How Much Food to Make for a Party, The Spruce Eats — Party Food Quantity Guide