Casual Naming Ceremony ideas...

[jonesso]

hi fellow mummies and mummies-to-be

i want to have a naming ceremony for my son in january but don't want to do a really "formal" or official thing. Would like to get a close friend of ours to conduct the ceremony instead of a celebrant and we're going to plant a tree for the baby, but am after some other ideas too.

For example:
* Invitations?
* Food?
* Drink?
* Decorations? Because of the tree-planting, we'll have the ceremony in our backyard. How can I decorate the place? I don't want tacky party decos, something simple but tasteful.

Also, what to do about "godparents"/guardians? I've never been to a christening or a naming ceremony so don't really know how I should include them or what I should give them as a momento...

Any ideas/suggestions most welcome! And any useful webpages or links that you know of that will help!

Also, I don't want to spend a fortune on the day - it's all about the atmosphere and the memories that we'll create.

Thanks! :D

[Imogensmum]

A naming ceremony sounds like fun!!!

I would (because i like creative stuff) make the tree planting your theme-
so maybe invites- white with a small tree motif up the top middle- saying something lik-
Please join us to celebrate the naming of our son..... blah blah

Thenout doors i'd do a white table clothe, green centre vases- green and white flowers/leaves, and a green runner for the middle of the table, green placemats, white crokery!!!- simple simple!! Also set up a picnic for the children- just out of harms way- and a little away from the adults!!!

Cold meats and summer salads!!!! And fresh cold drinks- mocktails???

I like the idea of gardians- I chose my godparents sortof as a thankyou! They are two of my closest friends and i wanted them to know how much they meant to me! So that might be nice for you!

I had my christening today- and i must admit it wasn't for a religious reason- I was because the school i want her to attend has a waiting list a mile long- and i wanted her to be up the top!! I am a litte ashamed to admit that- but i guess i do agree with some of the morals involved!! "Do on to others what you want done onto you!!"

Best of luck with the party preps- and have fun with it!!!

[Imogensmum]

also- cause now i'm all excited about your party :D One naming ceremopny i went to had the godparents/guardians recite a poem to the child! Very sweet....

And as a thankyou- i am giving the godparents of Imy a framed photo of her with them on the day!!!! Couldn't really think of anything else??

[tyler's mum]

iam having a naming for tyler in dec, its just goin to be at my place, im not to sure how im goin to deck the place out yet, i have 2 god parents for her, they take part along with the grandparents in a candle lighting part, also the godmother reads a poem or you can up to u? im just doin chicken, salad, rolls etc... a light lunch, its just casual dress, hope this gives you some ideas?

[kimmy]

Hi there at Chloe baptism we just had a quite ceremony with family & a few friends & the had a BBQ at home with snakes & stuff like that.
It was a really good day Chloe look so pretty in her gowned. :D

[Debby White]

We had a lovely casual Naming Day that was great. Just in our backyard with a simple bbq. Everyone loved it. We still had a Celebrant, but she was very nice and friendly and conducted a nice naming ceremony that was only about 8 minutes and not formal at all. We just felt it was better coming from a more professional person but as long as they were relaxed. We had Lesley Kerl - she specialises in Namings and Home Christenings/Baby Blessings. Her webpage is www.babynamings.com.au She can email you a sample ceremony and this will put your mind at rest about any long, formal things. :):yelclap: