Naming ceremonies

The naming day went brilliantly! I officiated and various members of the family and some friends said some suitable words. The baby was adored by everyone, we had lovely food and drinks and my daughter and family were delighted with the whole day! it was two days hard work but worth it. The only thing that spoilt it was that I realised when I got home that I had developed shingles!

G Grandparents not decided yet whether to go to the naming- they made an excuse to my daughter about my father's deafness being an issue at a party and she was v understanding- so they have a get out! I am looking forward to it and will let you all know how it goes in a couple of weeks.

I think a naming ceremny is a lovely idea. Sadly my GS GD and a dear nephew were not chrtistened as we all were as their parents are agnsotic but a naming ceremony would have been lovely I think.

I have been to a number of christenings which were done for the sake of the party and presents including my husbands neice's children which was a horrendous multiple job , very modern with children running and screaming everywhere in the church, adults going outside for fag when they wanted and talking throughout the ceremony. Everyone seemed to have got their outfit from Chavs R'Us and the booze up after was horrible. When I gave our gift to my DH neice she said ' just throw it on the pile' so I did with a resounding smash - its was a photo frame - never seen it in their house!!!

I've been to a couple of naming parties and they were lovely! At one, guests brought presents for when the child was 18, and we enjoyed thinking of a gift and seeing what other people had brought. It is a lovely, non hypocritical and honest idea.

Just did a bit of googling [as you do] and it was mentioned that, at a naming ceremony, anyone can make a promise to the child. Maybe it would ease things a bit with the great grandparents if they were asked to say something to the child? I'd be very honoured if someone asked me to do that [although I'd have sleppless nights deciding what to say!].

I think my DGS had 'guideparents'!

My eldest grandson had a birthday party when he was two which included a short ceremony performed by someone from the Secular society [I think it was that and not Humanist]. Along with a video of his life up till then and a couple who were named as sort of eqivalent Godparents, it was a lovely occasion. Not sure if his younger brother had a ceremony on his 2nd birthday, as I wasn't allowed to go . Nothing worse than having a Christening when neither parent actually believe in any of it. Can't remember what was said at the ceremony, but the video was very funny.

Sounds like an excellent idea! A lovely way to mark a baby's arrival in a non-hypocritical way. I am sure there must be lots of wonderrful reading but can't bring any to mind at the mo. Let us know what you choose, won't you?

[[www.humanism.org.uk ]] look here for help. Our daughter had a Humanist wedding and also had their son named as part of the ceremony that day. It was lovely!