The invites were sent, the cake was ordered, the menu was determined and her christening gown was laid out… the planning for my daughter’s dedication day at church was well underway. We were most excited for this very important and memorable day in our baby girl’s life.
A ROLE FOR LOVED ONES
Having dedicated our oldest daughter just two years prior, we knew that our minister would deliver a heartfelt and personalized dedication speech in honor of our daughter. Afterwards, all of our loved ones would reconvene at our house for a celebratory lunch and party. As wonderful as this day was the first time around, if I could have changed one factor, it would have been allowing our closest loved ones in attendance to have had a larger role in blessing our baby girl. This was when a “balloon prayer party” came to mind and turned out to be one of the perfect dedication/baptism party ideas!
BALLOON PRAYERS
I decided to create paper hearts that I could easily print, hole punch and place out at the celebratory party. Each heart would allow each of our loved ones to write their blessings for our baby girl. I would then purchase one balloon per guest so that each heart could be tied to a corresponding balloon. After attaching each heart to its balloon, I would then ask each guest to hold their balloon and one by one read aloud their prayers for our baby girl. Then, weather permitting (after all this is Wisconsin we are talking about here), we would all file outside and release our prayers (balloons) up to Heaven.
Without a doubt, next only to the dedication service itself, this was my favorite part of the entire day. I will never forget seeing our loved ones holding their balloon and reading aloud their prayers. Afterwards, watching all the balloons simultaneously being released was the greatest symbolism of the day.
There were so many elements I loved about this event, but perhaps most, I loved that it allowed those who came to celebrate our daughter, those who wish for her a Godly life, and those who love her unconditionally, to be able to have such an important role on such an important day.
LOOKING FOR DEDICATION/BAPTISM PARTY IDEAS YOURSELF? GIVE IT A TRY!
Reflecting back on the day, I can’t help but think how this tradition could be used again and again for not only church dedication/christening/baptisms but also for weddings, baby showers, first birthday parties and more! I love this tradition so much, that I’ve included both the explanation sheet and paper heart printables below for FREE download!
Looking for the perfect dedication/baptism gift? The books we received for our daughters’ dedication ceremonies remain some of our most cherished gifts!
Do you have any other fun dedication/baptism party ideas? I’d love to hear them below!
Please note that the files for these “Balloon Prayer Cards and Sign” are for personal use only. Redistribution and/or reselling for commercial use is strictly prohibited. If you would like to share these “Balloon Prayer Cards and Sign” with friends, you are free to do so but must link directly back to this post. Please do not link directly to the download file. Thank you!
ShootingStarsMag says
A friend of mine had balloons released by her wedding party, but they didn’t have notes attached. I really love this idea!
-Lauren
Lindsay says
Thanks so much! 😊
Sandra Garth says
What a beautiful and thoughtful idea!
Lindsay says
Thank you!
Jess says
So cute! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Laurie says
Great idea Lindsay! Pinned. Thanks for sharing with us at Brag About It
Lindsay says
Thank you!
Gabrielle Tyler says
I have never heard of this. What a great idea!
Lindsay says
Thanks much!
Cristina says
This is so cute! You had a great idea!
Lindsay says
Thank you 🙂
Helen at Pleasures of the NW says
What a great idea – Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY Party
Lindsay says
Thank you!
Christine says
That’s such a sweet idea and people can keep and store those cards and give them back when the child turns 18 or gets married. I love it!Thanks for sharing his at the DI & DI Link Party.
Lindsay says
Thank you so much!
Mary - the boondocks blog says
What a lovely way to celebrate a dedication. Blessings to your little one.
Lindsay says
Thanks so much!
Jelli says
You’re a party genius! Love this idea. I’d even use it for my kids’birthdays.
Lindsay says
Haha, I’m far from… but thanks! Using it for a birthday party would be an excellent idea :).
Penelope Belsin says
I was searching for a creative idea to convey messages, and your post is the right solution to it! I am going to make a similar kind of balloon set up very soon! Thanks for sharing.
Dixie says
Thanks, it’s very informative
Lindsay says
My pleasure! 🙂