Attending naming ceremony - help please

sylphraven

My niece is having a joint naming ceremony and 1st birthday party next month. Its a totally non-religious event due to her parents being athiest but wanting to welcome her into the world. I've never attended a naming ceremony and am clueless on the etiquette.

Is a card expected, if so what should it say? does anyone have an examples?

Could the birthday present and naming ceremony present be a joint present (birthday is 4 days before) or is it best to give a present for each?

Any ideas as to what I could get her? Times are tight at the moment so the budget is £20 max. I was considering a charm for her charm bracelet she received at Christmas but not sure what one to get.

rainmac

I would take a card, here are some words/poems for naming ceremony cards (I just googled and chose the first site that appeared but there are lots of others).

As a present for the naming ceremony what about making a book, sort of scrapbook with details about the day your neice was born (time and place of birth, info about the day - what the weather was like etc, news on the day), info about her star sign, meaning of her name, price of things the year she was born like average house price, proce of petrol, pint of milk etc... What do you think? I made one for a Christening present and included pages for handprints, family photos, parents really liked it and it's something to keep forever and also doesn't cost the earth!

Good luck x

sylphraven

Thanks Rainmac, unfortunately they have a box like that, with a "growing up" book for all handprints, "firsts" etc, newspapers from the day she was born, a start chart.

li'l_p

A naming ceremony is just a way of people to have a 'christening' without all the religious hoodlum. So you'll find that it's just like a christening just without all the 'in the presence of God' stuff. The etiquette will just be the same as a christening; gift, card, party, etc.

wannabe_moneysaver

li'l_p wrote: »

A naming ceremony is just a way of people to have a 'christening' without all the religious hoodlum. So you'll find that it's just like a christening just without all the 'in the presence of God' stuff. The etiquette will just be the same as a christening; gift, card, party, etc.

Hi, we had naming ceremonies for both our children and its just as the previous poster said. You can buy Naming Day cards in places like Clintons and WH Smith and I've also seen some lovely handmade ones in little gift shops.

We had lovely days with our two, each had a very personal service and myself and other "supporting adults" (non-religious equivalent of godparents) read out little poems/readings, it was so nice.

If you want any more info then feel free to pm me. Hope you have a great day!

red-and-yellow

Hi, I would give 2 cards and gifts not just do in one because it can look like your being cheap! How about a nice story book for naming? There are some beautiful children's books around , you could go for something on worlds children or how we are all unique- so it looks like you have spend some time on a special gift. Doesn't have to be expensive but it could be something she could enjoy now.

susan42

hi sylphravan - they sell "happy naming day" cards in home bargains i was looking at them yesterday, not expensive either, you could also make your own using free papers,

Another nice thing which would be free would be to name a star.
Goto freenameastar . com and put the name in, print it off and there will be a banner advertising site. Colour it in with a felt tip and then photocopy it, so you cant see the advertising, do it on nice paper and frame it.

Cost a little of your time and a frame, i gave some to a few of my friends, some framed, some scrolled with a nice ribbon and they were chuffed to bits.
As for bithday make a card with some card into a number 1 and decoreate with embellishments or backing papers, balloons are good, very bright and colourful, and with a cheque. All children now have a bank account from what the government have gave them.

sylphraven

Thanks for all the advice guys, you've been fab.

I love the idea of naming a star for her naming ceremony, I could get a little star charm for her bracelet to go with it .. and I may even have a little left for her birthday present.

I make my own cards so shall get a googling and also look in shops for some ideas, I've never seen any before, but never actually looked for any either.

I knew here would be the place for ideas, thanks again all :T

chillin_nutta

for the freenameastar site I think if you pay something like 99p they can take the advertising off... i'm sure that's what I paid for mine although that was nearly 2 years ago..

A star charm would go perfectly with this, and tie in great. Could also do the face in the paper...where you can upload her picture and change the title...

http://www.inthepaper.co.uk/

think you have to save this to your pc and print it... as it will ask you to pay for it... (i'm sure this is what i did - eek sorry it's been too long lol) when you are happy with it save it to your pc and print off.... it's a nice little freebie, i gave one to mum and dad for there anniversary and it was funny as it gave a nice little proper 'report'.

HTH's

emmy xx