Complete Guide To Baby Naming Ceremonies

If you would like to celebrate the arrival of a new baby with friends and family, but are looking for an alternative to a traditional christening, this is the book for you. Civil weddings have been popular for a long time, but you can now have a Civil Naming ceremony for your child, held either at your local registry office, or at any venue of your choice. As there is no legal requirement, you can hold the party at home, in your garden, or at any venue you like. You can host the event yourselves, or ask a registered celebrant to host the event. This book contains lots of ideas to make your civil naming ceremony memorable and unique to your family. There are ideas for poems, readings, music, themes, and special ideas for how to mark the occasion. Everyone can get involved
grandparents, siblings, and specially nominated adults who can act as guardians. There are readings suitable for all. This book includes: - How to plan the naming party and ceremony - Ideas for indoors and outdoors decor, plus simple decorations - Providing entertainment and fun for children and adults - 10 special event ideas for the day, such as star naming, planting a tree and filling a time capsule - Traditional and contemporary ideas for readings and poems with new, specifically commissioned poems that are particularly relevant to this special occasion - Ideas and recipes for delicious food and drink
REVIEWS:
'...comes packed with ideas. I felt very inspired by this book.' 'I loved the way everything is included in this book.' Member review www.babywebsite.com.
AUTHOR BIOG:
Becky Alexander is mother to Isabel (7) and Polly (3). She lives in St Albans, where she is the food columnist for the local newspaper, and judge at the recent food and drinks awards. She has written recipes for a book on toddler food.
CONTENTS:
Chapter 1
Introduction 1
A new trend
What is a naming ceremony?
What are your options?
Making everyone feel welcome
Welcoming a stepchild or adopted child
The question of godparents
Chapter 2
Planning the event
When to hold the naming ceremony
Choosing a time for the ceremony
Feature
- Brunch party
Choosing a venue
Holding the ceremony at home
Feature
- Beach party
Holding the ceremony outside
Holding the ceremony at a register office
Holding the ceremony somewhere different
Ideas for decorations
Feature
- Afternoon tea party
Choosing music
Entertainment for children
Planning food and drink
Baby naming cake
Feature
- Winter party
Making a toast
Gifts and thank yous
Chapter 3
The ceremony
Designing your own ceremony
Leading the ceremony yourself
Asking someone you know to lead the ceremony
The welcome Introduction
First reading
Announcing the name
Parents' promises
Godparents'/sponsors' promises
Second reading
Music and singing
Special ways to mark the day
Ending the ceremony
What happens at a register office
Chapter 4
Special ways to mark and remember the day
Doing something special
A best wishes book
Singing together
Making the ceremony personal
Handprint art
Balloon release
Sky lanterns
Photographs, DVDs and videos
Flowers
Planting during the ceremony
Planting trees
Candle lighting
Fill a time capsule
Sponsor a child
Name a star
Give your child the moon
Adopt an animal
Birthstones
Chapter 5
Poems and readings
Selecting poems
Poems for adults to read
Poems for children to read
Poems with a religious theme
Readings
Chapter 6
Choosing a name for your baby
Most popular boys' names in England and Wales
Most popular girls' names in England and Wales