Christening and alternative naming ceremonies (merged)

steve_cov

louise35 wrote:

Today Is God's Gift That's Why It's Called The Present.

I rather think that the fact the OP's friends have opted for a naming ceremony (rather than a baptism or other specifically religious event) makes mention of the G word inappropriate and rather disrespectful.

Depending on the closeness of the relationship with the child's family, perhaps it would be appropriate to offer always to be on hand should the child need your guidance, alongside your fervent wishes for happiness, health and the usual.

fannyadams

Stompa wrote:

What's a baby naming ceremony?

in it's simplest terms a 'non christian christening'.

http://www.civilceremonies.co.uk/naming.htm

Each non christian religion has it's own name for the ceremony and people who are not religious can have their chilren named by persons from the humane society.

I also believe that register offices are fgetting in ont he act and offering to do ceremonies for children
google "naming ceremony" and whatch how many civil ceremonies come up.

Stompa

fannyadams wrote:

in it's simplest terms a 'non christian christening'.

Ah thanks. Not sure I understand what it's for exactly, but learn something new every day!

cheekymole

Stompa wrote:

Ah thanks. Not sure I understand what it's for exactly, but learn something new every day!

Only my personal opinion but it's just another way of getting presents for your child without the christening!

No offence to the OP or any other intended.

starlite_2

that is pretty offensive..we are planning one for the summer as an opportunity for all our friends and family to celebrate the birth of our baby.
we also have the equivalant of 'god parents' and this is a means to officially recognise them and thank them with gifts from the baby.

we wil be spending quite a lot of money on a celebration lunch and do not expect to recieve gifts in return

why would a traditional christening be okay,but a non religious ceremony just a 'present grabbing' scheme?

pah!

fannyadams

I agree with starlite -
when we named our DSs we didn't ask for presents but some people that we had invited asked us what they should bring. we said a "good heart and an open mind"! and if you'd like to donate to your favourite charity or one of ours that'd be great.
Although Teh best prezzie we got was a gorgeous weeping beech tree, for DS#1s naming ceremony. The giver had researched about naming ceremonies and had asked a couple of Pagan 'friends' what they would suggest and went out and bought a tree. We are looking fo rsomewhere to set this tree free.
DS#2 has a tree in a special forest somewhere in Scotland for his present.

magicmaria

Hi

I am looking for some ideas as to what to buy as a christening gift for a 6 month baby - trying to get something a little different budget about £15 TO £20 any ideas please

Counting_Pennies_2

How about a book or a collection of books.

I have copied a suggestion below. But what I am starting to do, now I have a child of my own, I have realised that useful items are so much better than a silver spoon that will get stuffed in a cupboard.

I am now starting to give a book as a Christening pressie (something classical) and write in the front cover an inscription to the child for the christening day, and in the card I write that this is the start of a tradition that I intend to buy a new exciting book each Christmas and Birthday that I have read to my child and know which ones they enjoy.

http://www.redhouse.co.uk/OrderMech/search.exe/dosearch?SType=0&Layout=646&CID=1&ProdCode=WIE2&TemplateFile=homesearch

http://www.redhouse.co.uk/OrderMech/search.exe/dosearch?SType=0&Layout=646&CID=1&ProdCode=PET2&TemplateFile=homesearch

http://www.redhouse.co.uk/OrderMech/search.exe/dosearch?SType=0&Layout=646&CID=1&ProdCode=CBP2&TemplateFile=homesearch

The red house is a great place to get these books at a good price.

Hope this helps

missk_ensington

Please don't buy silver spoons, money boxes or 'tooth and curl sets!. I received 9 money boxes, 3 silver spoons, 2 tooth and curl sets, 11 picture frames, several clothes sets that were a couple of sizes up, only when he could wear them in 6 months time it would be winter and the clothes were shorts and T shirts!
Oh and teddy's, got hundreds of those bloody stupid things. After my christening my house felt completely cluttered!

Id advise a well chosen toy from ToysRus for when the kids about 1. What about a walker? Help the parents by buying something they would probably buy anyway at some point in time x

finc

I recommend this lady for great personalised gifts all the time. She can make you a made to order memory book for £15 A5 size or A4 for £20. She will happily design anything you like (within reason!) and produce a gorgeous and unique gift.

The book I ordered for my niece's Christening is on the site. I sent a picture of her and she used the pic on an insert in the page with a verse I'd found for her. It was beautiful. My SIL has put lots of different pics in it at milestones, 1st Christmas etc and recorded some family tree details and other mementoes.