Naming day

I'm thinking about having a naming day as part of our farewell when/if we move to Bega. I had always wanted to but was hesitant at what my bestfriend would think about being named as a god parent to DD but i had her over the other night and she said shes told people she works with that DD is her god daughter she asked if that bothered me and i said no not at all. It made me happy that she thinks like that because i would love for her to be a god parent as she is one of the most important people in my life. We also want DP's best friend to be one too so i will have to get DP to subtley ask him if he minds so when we announce it on the day there aren't any issues. Maybe i might ask his wife...

How many people have had a naming day? What did it entail? Any info is muchly appreciated.

Do they have god parents at naming days? I'm interested in this thread too as we probably wont be getting Button baptised, but would like some sort of ceremony..

I googled naming day and read that its a non-religious ceremony to introduce and welcome your baby/child to your family and friends it also gives the parents the opportunity to name god parents/mentors.

I wanted to do one after she was born but never had the opportunity but i think having one as well as a farewell will be nice.

Lol, I just googled non religious ceremonies too :)... Yeah I would have thought more guardian/mentor type thing as 'god parent' sounds rather religious.. I think it's a lovely idea to have a farewell like that.. Mine will be more of a welcoming baby ceremony and hopefully give my friends/family from interstate the opportunity to come up and meet baby :)

I will be naming them as "god parent" but not in the religious sense ITMS? Or maybe i can name the, "uncle" and "aunty"... hmm thats an idea too..

One person I know has naming days for all her kiddies, they always name the godparents in the ceremony and there is an official celebrant.

I have started organising mine atm LMS for when my babe is here. I have organised a celebrant, family, friends and light luncheon. DH and I aren't highly religious more earthy so thought this would be great alternative:) I have nominated god parents but am getting it to be quite informal so no pressure for them. Lots of pretty poems and at the end of the ceremony get everyone to blow bubbles. Also was thinking getting a signature bear so guests can sign. Are you going to have a celebrant? (You don't necessary need one I read) I was hesitant to have one cos so $$$ but in the end the thought of me public speaking in front of 30 guests freaks me out so rather her do it,lol.

I think that's a nice idea.

One thought - I've never heard of someone being made a godparent *without* their spouse being one too ... would it be awkward to appoint your DP's friend, and not his wife? Your friend too of course!

DS doesn't have godparents (because he's got so many aunts and uncles, etc... we could never choose!) but DH and I are godparents, and it's nice :)

The naming ceremony was part of a christening, and it was a Catholic ceremony, which I gather isn't what you're after. But it was a Mass with the ceremony, and then a really nice lunch back at the family's home with lots of family and friends and food and kids etc.

others we've been to have varied, from coffee and biscuits with photo ops to take pics of the baby, through to really full on parties with banners and hand made "thank you" cards and index cards describing the fancy food and a professionally made cake, and the works!

If we did one, we'd probably do it like that (but at our own church) and then either have the lunch at the church, or at a park if the weather was good, with lots of photos etc :) our house is about a 30 minute drive from church, which is a bit far...

with the title of the godparent etc, that's an interesting question ... I know lots of people who don't believe in God but have themselves, or have appointed for their children godparents - I think it has a much broader meaning these days ... but I think "guardian" has quite a specific legal meaning, and when I think of "mentors" I think of those as being people we select for ourselves, who we respect and want to seek guidance from ... so I'd probably stick with godparent, but that's just my opinion.

I think some really interesting points have been raised by other posters!!

I hope you find out what will work best for you and your family :hug:

I am having one on Jim's first birthday.

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One thought - I've never heard of someone being made a godparent *without* their spouse being one too ... would it be awkward to appoint your DP's friend, and not his wife? Your friend too of course!

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Its funny you mention this both spouses don't particularly like children, i have known P's (DPs friend) for as long as i have DP and i have a very good friendship with him too and i would love for him to be a mentor for my children hes a very smart man and good natured so i know he will be a good role model. His wife i have only known for 4 years and she is an odd one, we get along but she won't go out of her way to see me especially since having DD. I have known T (my friend) for 11 years but have only met her partner once because he doesn't like kids he avoids me. I'm sure its supposed to be a couple but im all for being different!

I'm not sure about a celebrant, i think i might just have it as a casual thing not to put pressure on others. But i like the idea of a guest book and such.

I don't think you need to name the person's spouse as a rule. My Mum is a God Parent (Church Baptism type) without my Dad having been named (a friend of the father was the God Father, this was when my brother and I were 10 or so, so not before my parents were together or anything lol) and I know many others like this.

You usually just ask the people if they will be God parents some time before the ceremony, not just name them on the day without telling them. Is that what you were planning to do?? I'm confused! lol.

We are having a naming day for DD2. had one for DD1 and yep, have nominated the Godparents.

We asked the people we wanted to be DDs Godparents as it was important that the right choice was made and that included whether they felt that they could be there for our girls come what may over their lifetime. It is, to us, a very big deal and important that the people that are our DDs Godparents have that commitment, and that it extends beyond our friendship.

Partners of the chosen Godparent dont need to be nominated. You can choose two separate people: especially if you are seeking different qualities and approaches ITMS.

We are using a celebrant for our ceremony. and will "gift" the godparents a small token on the day, after they have accepted etc etc.

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You usually just ask the people if they will be God parents some time before the ceremony, not just name them on the day without telling them. Is that what you were planning to do?? I'm confused! lol.

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Yes i had planned to ask them but felt awkward about doing so as i wasnt sure what they would think but turns out that my bestie already tells people that my DD is her god daughter but now i have to ask DPs friend and i feel awkward doing so as i know his wife will be reluctant..

I don't know if it will be so much as a 'naming day' as a farewell but i'd like to announce that the two of them are god parents and celebrate that. I'm not entirely sure what i want to do yet! lol so will have to think and plan.

3 of ours have had a naming ceremony.

Instead of godparents, they have guardian parents - Sterla and her husband are DD2's actually.

We wrote the ceremony ourselves (its beautiful!) and have our celebrant do the honours with friends and family around.

Simple, no fuss and cheap - sums me up perfectly!

DS1 has had a naming day and it was done by the celebrant who also married us. I had my brother and his partner as the godparents. I think the idea of it is to choose another set of adults who will make a point of being a postive guide/presence in their life as well as us (their parents). As well as the idea of them being people we'd choose to bring up our children if we were unable to.

DS2 is yet to have his as we had a few rocky years amongst family and i'm not comfortable making my brothers partner a godparent again. My brother yes but i dont feel i can do this and leave out his partner without causing issues. And at the same time i'm not going to do something for my children that i'm not comfortable with to keep the peace.

So the plan is to have and naming day for DD & DS2 on DD's first birthday but we're yet to decide who the godparents will be.

We had DS1's at 2pm on a sunday, i just wanted it casual, a special day where DS and our family and friends get together to celebrate our beautiful boy and for him to enjoy all the special people around who love him. We made it an afternoon tea and i had a special naming day cake made for him. It was really special and i have every intention on doing it for DS2 & DD.

I am a godparent and DH isn't, so to have the spouses too isn't a necessity. Please don't feel awkward about asking, it is a great honour to be chosen as a godparent/guardian, I was humbled. You can make the day as small/big as you like and it will be lovely to do it and also have it as a farewell. Good luck with it all. xxx