Naming Day Ideas

Helloo,

When Corey was younger, for some reason I really wanted something like a Christening but we weren't religious so of course that wasn't really an option. It was a bit of a debate at the time, because I felt it could have given Corey the choice when he got older.

After some good old Google research, I came across something called Naming Days. I did a bit of investigation and decided to go ahead and have one :) Although it wasn't very well known back then in 2010 and frankly some friends and family were a bit confused by it. But it was a day of celebration! Now though, it is widely known and becoming very popular in this day and age.

I thought I would take a look back at the gathering we had and give some 'Naming Day Ideas' into it :)

OUR DAY

I know this isn't many pictures as would probably like to be shown but I can't include others in the pictures and there wasn't any nice ones as back then camera phones weren't what they are now!

We hired a hall with decorations, made a buffet (mum and nan did anyways!), had cake with all our family and friends. You can actually hire someone to conduct it as it were a proper Civil Ceremony. But we didn't do this option, instead I created a personal speech including why we chose the name, choosing godparents and more.

GUIDE TO ORGANISING A NAMING DAY

Decorations - I really believe decorations are what bring the venue together, you can go as big or little as you like. I did as much as I could afford. Baring it mind I was only 18 at the time on maternity leave wage! The bottles actually came from Aldi as we saw them on a off change and flowers from good old Ikea. The other bits, I got from partysavvy.co.uk :) They have the most amazing favours, which could also be great as little gift ideas too so worth a check out if you get a chance!

Venue - Choose something that is big or small enough for what you need and that has all the facilities you need. I have disasbled/buggy access, baby changing, kitchen and bar etc.

Speech/Service - Like I said, you can actually get an official to come do your naming day or like me just do it yourself :) Either way you will need to make some sort of speech (there is services that can do this for you!!).

Food - Entirely up to you, whether you want to create a buffet, have a sit down meal or buy foods from places such as Marks & Spencers. Be sure not to go over board as you really don't want to be left over with so much, as usually it isn't the bits you want anyways! Make the event at a time of day where people are going to eat. Like 2 hours after lunch, people won't be hungry yet.

GIFT IDEAS

We got all sorts from little cute plate sets, cutlery, money and more. We got silver plated money keepsakes too, a train and fire engine. Except my other half did manage to burn the bottom of these a couple of months ago by leaving them on top of the fire place - I was not impressed to say the least. Luckily it isn't noticeable if you are up close so these are now on the shelves safely! 

Sorry it is blurry, my camera battery was dying and refused to focus! I got Corey a little chain with a St Christopher on it. Some think it may be girly for a boy to have a necklace but it has meaning, St Christopher protected and helped others so I was told a pendant would do the same, or so my nan said! Many years ago, my nan got me one which I will treasure even more so now she has gone. I wanted something the same for Corey.

Another gift he got from someone else, was these two keepsakes in the little box reading 'all the luck and love in the world' with a lucky six pence and a cupid. If you know me and follow me, you will know I LOVE keepsakes, lucky penny's and cupids (have Pandora beads in both!). Corey sees this and knows I do, he goes 'you love that mummy'. It is the sweetest little gift, one that will also be treasured. 

What are your thoughts on naming day ceremonies?! Would you choose this option over a traditional christening? If you have wrote about either of these then please leave a link as would love to see how you celebrated ! :)

Love, Gemma xo

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