Present for a 'naming ceremony'?

Timmne

I will be attending one in a few weeks.

Would anyone be so kind as to let me have any ideas of useful/meaningful presents that I could buy? I hate buying useless presents at the best of times!

Thankyou in advance :beer:

SugarSpun

If you go to www.freenameastar.co (uk? com?) you can name a star after the child and print out a certificate. It's relevant, it's free (although I'd pay a little extra not to have "free" all over it) and you can print it on nice paper, frame it or tie it in a roll with a ribbon and be done.

Having said that, if the child was having a religiously oriented ceremony from another religion, would you have a similar problem? There are naming ceremonies in various religions that predate Christianity, and Christianity itself has co-opted various religious niceties from other religions - which is what made it such a widespread religion. Secular ceremonies still have their place, even if you don't like them, and presumably the friends you're talking about would bring a gift to your child's christening and be happy for you on the joyous occasion.

KellyWelly

Why do you have to buy anything? At my childrens' baptisms they both got a cheque from their nana to put in savings and that was it. The Godparents each time bought them each a cross on a chain which is traditional in our denomination but nobody gave them money boxes or silver tat, which I understand is popular here. I was glad really, where on earth I would have put it all is beyond me!

Timmne

SugarSpun wrote: »

If you go to www.freenameastar.co (uk? com?) you can name a star after the child and print out a certificate. It's relevant, it's free (although I'd pay a little extra not to have "free" all over it) and you can print it on nice paper, frame it or tie it in a roll with a ribbon and be done.

Thanks! *off to have a look*

SugarSpun wrote: »

Having said that, if the child was having a religiously oriented ceremony from another religion, would you have a similar problem? There are naming ceremonies in various religions that predate Christianity, and Christianity itself has co-opted various religious niceties from other religions - which is what made it such a widespread religion. Secular ceremonies still have their place, even if you don't like them, and presumably the friends you're talking about would bring a gift to your child's christening and be happy for you on the joyous occasion.

Being honest, I have no idea why I dislike the event so much - I would be fine if it was another religious version - fact is, it's a case of "I name this little boy... Johnny" - presents please!

money_maker_3

I dont think it is essential to buy a present for naming ceremonies or any other christenings for that matter, but a book with a little note on the inside cover saying it was for them on their naming day was one of the nicest and most personal gift my daughter got and was very well received. It didnt cost a fortune, but effort had been put in to writing the personal message.

NBirdy

I agree with the book idea - can never have too many books! They were some of the best presents my daughters were given on their christening days. Classics like The Gruffalo, Winnie the Pooh were my favourites Much more useful than endless money boxes and poto frames!

iamanalias

Timmne wrote: »

Being honest, I have no idea why I dislike the event so much - I would be fine if it was another religious version - fact is, it's a case of "I name this little boy... Johnny" - presents please!

I've been to several naming ceremonies (I don't hang around with religious types) and that absolutely isn't what it's about at all. There is still a ceremony, but instead of inducting the child into some hocus pocus organisation without it's approval it brings together the friends and family who will be involved with the child to celebrate the child's safe arrival. Poems and music and readings may take place, and promises are made to the child - ie I promise to let you be your own person, to support you and love you and be there for you. Not stepped foot inside a church for years, but never heard that at a christening. :rolleyes:


The ceremonies I've been to have been beautifully planned and quite spiritual actually. I have always taken a small gift (an outfit or toy) but there's certainly no expectation of gifts. In fact, the last one specifically stated that all they wanted was an e-mailed 'wish for baby' which they were going to compile into an album along with photos from the day.

Not often you get the chance to get all your friends and family together in one place - why have to have a religious christening to do that?

Nicki

I'd suggest you don't go to be honest!

You clearly don't like or respect the parents very much if your only thought is that they have planned a ceremony for their baby for no reason other than to get presents. If that were the case, I can't see why you would want to be their friend, or to attend the ceremony, and if its not the case, then as a parent, I would not want you at the ceremony thinking the way you do, nor would I continue to like and respect you as a friend knowing that was what you thought of me!

Being "of a Christian background" ( surely you are either a Christian or you aren't?) doesn't give you the right or moral authority to judge others in the mean spirited way you are doing here. I suggest that you choose your friends according to your values whatever they are though. As you don't appear to share these friends' values (which are as iamanalias has said more likely to be a desire to celebrate the birth of their child and share their joy with close friends and families, than a more mercenary thing), then find new ones. I suspect if you asked the parents, you would find in any case that they plan to spend more on the ceremony and entertaining their guests than will be spent on presents for their baby, so your suspicion that they are only in it for the money is probably not well founded in the first place.

Nicki

Timmne wrote: »

- it's just a forum!

It's actually a moneysaving forum, and as you don't want to buy a present and don't in fact want to go to the ceremony, not going at all would save you a lot more than buying a cheap book and looking down on the family for an afternoon.

barnaby-bear

Timmne wrote: »

Morning all,

Much as I don't agree with the sentiment of a naming ceremony, I will be attending one in a few weeks. As I can't get the thought of it being a request for presents out of my head, I'm really struggling to think a) of something to buy the child and b) whether I can get away with not buying them one at all.

I know it sounds mean but being of Christian background, it annoys me a little that they're essentially saying they want all the niceties (sp?!) of a christening without actually doing the thing the event was 'designed' for!

Would anyone be so kind as to let me have any ideas of useful/meaningful presents that I could buy? I hate buying useless presents at the best of times!

Thankyou in advance :beer:

Bookends with a hint of the biblical?
http://www.tickety-boo.co.uk/acatalog/Noah_s_Ark_Bookends.html