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Original poster

To be miffed at "Gift list for mother of the baby" enclosed in *Baby naming ceremony* invitation?

992 replies

doubleshotespresso · 12/06/2013 23:38

So some close friends (who married in church), but now claim to be atheist are holding a naming ceremony for their 8 month old first baby in an hotel.....

The invitation is beautiful with a map, timings "event closes at 11pm"?

The gift list ranges from £30-to £300, all items for the mother, cosmetics, trinkets, jewellery, pampering breaks, personalised hand-bound stationery and photo albums...

Anybody know the drill for these naming ceremonies? Are we supposed to guess a gift for the baby? Or just congratulate the mother for deciding on a name?

I have read this a dozen times and am staggered beyond belief-DP read it and fell into hysterics....

My gut tells me to go along with Jo Malone scented nappies or something.

Somebody please tell me this is not normal?!?!?!

OP posts:
K8Middleton · 17/06/2013 22:35

The sister's on commission?! Wow. Just wow.

BOF · 17/06/2013 22:32

So, let me get this straight- he went off on one and started charging for services he'd never been asked to provide? Was the contract with your friend or her sister?

I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall!

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 17/06/2013 22:28

I will be friends yes and am happy to kick butt. The temptation to make publc the website for the planner for you all to sabotage is overwhelming...... This has all been strangely cathartic today. Friend has regaled my DP with the whole saga today and we have laughed hard but I can hnestly say it is at least ten years since I have been that angry.... I think my friend was stunned into silence when I was in full flow. DP has never seen me this animated.......

OP posts:
LifesAHappySong · 17/06/2013 22:24

Brilliant. Well done OP.

AndHarry · 17/06/2013 22:15

I think I would die laughing if someone threw such a ridiculous strop with me. Well done OP.

MumnGran · 17/06/2013 22:10

Have one or two butts that could do with kicking, here, if you are free at any time double

After a few Wine Wine Wine , of course!

CSIJanner · 17/06/2013 22:08

DoubleShot - you're lovely. Would you be my friend? Grin

MammaTJ · 17/06/2013 22:03

Fantastic. I have been addicted to this thread. I have enjoyed your happy updates. I am so glad you are there for your friend.

BatmanLovesAllan · 17/06/2013 22:03

Bloody hell! Just... bloody hell Shock

mummymccar · 17/06/2013 21:59

In awe of you!

FryOneFatManic · 17/06/2013 21:54

doubleshotespresso You have been so good for your friend Thanks I hope she also feels better soon.

SugarPasteGreyhound · 17/06/2013 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrankellyMyDearIDontGiveADamn · 17/06/2013 21:50

Bloody Nora! Well done OP, you sound like the perfect friend. Are you for hire? Wink

LilyAmaryllis · 17/06/2013 21:39

How brilliant this thread is, and HOW AMAZING you are "double" ! Triple quadruple well done on all the stuff you've done.

SauvignonBlanche · 17/06/2013 21:32

Well done doubleshot, Elton John sounds like an arse!

RandomMess · 17/06/2013 21:06

Fantastic, well done you Grin

Northernlurker · 17/06/2013 21:06

You kick planner butt!

What a star Smile

Your poor friend though. Sister needs her butt kicking too - I suggest you AND friend's husband.

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 17/06/2013 21:03

Thanks all- just come back with a bit of an update, it has been such a full-on day!

snazzy you were right to be cautious, but I just knew this wasnot the work of my friend. So far so good! Good point about moving the thread, not very up on these things thanks.

And to all of you asking questions regarding the sister, you better sit down for this.

Yes she works in media.
Yes she uses the planner in the UK frequently.
Yes she needs to realise this is not her party to enforce her ideas upon.
No- she has no children yet.
Yes she shares initials with my friend- that had not occured to me!
AND!!!!! Drum roll- we are reliably informed from the planner who finally called today she is due a fee for recommending him! WTA*?

I spoke to the planner on bealf of friend who locked herself in my bathroom and handed me her phone when he rang.... And there began the full-blown hissy fit....... Off the scale theatrics which culminated in " we need to skype immediately! Nobody cancels me! This is a crisis really Do you know how manypeople would kill to get their event with me?"

MN I think you would be proud of me.... I was firm, crystal clear and vocal in our exchange and made him wait for us to return his call for four ours while I prised friend out of the bathroom...

We skyped at about 4pm and I think the correct phrase would be he received "both barrels" from me. There will be no firther payment. We will seek the return of the deposit. The contract was not signed by my friend and some of the things he proceeded wth it transpires were never approved by her. He went ahead blindly (we think he assumed sister would veto all in arrogant error). I have made it clear he has ten working days to return the money (sizeable) and failure to do so will result in a legal summons. We have sent a recorded delivery document stating all the above, to his office and will see him in court if necessary. The hotel manager who was present at 2x meetings has agreed the items he pushed forward were never discussed and is willing to statement this if we need him to.

Then we had coffee with brandy- i was shaking inside with rage and needed to come down. Wanted to post earlier but family, after school, dinner stuff got in the way.....

More later.

I . Need. Wine !

OP posts:
BatmanLovesAllan · 17/06/2013 16:28

Does the sister have the same initials as your friend? Grin

Well done, OP, for being such a good, practical friend.

CalamityJ · 17/06/2013 16:24

Bloody hell! Proper cheeky! We've booked our DD's baptism and would be more than happy with no gifts as they're all a bit lame.

Lavenderhoney · 17/06/2013 15:40

Sounds like the sister was hoping for a currency holder to me:)

You really do sound lovely op:) Flowers

FairPhyllis · 17/06/2013 13:29

Good Lord. How come the sister has got such a power trip on her? What difference does it make to her what her sister does for her naming ceremony? Was the whole thing the sister's idea in the first place?

Fillyjonk75 · 17/06/2013 12:56

Just read through the whole thread, please post an update on the kicking the party planner gets before you delete, won't you?

Fantastic thread!

MerryMarigold · 17/06/2013 12:47

Just read all your posts, double shot. What a great thread! It's moved so far along. And to a happy ending. You are a great friend. Well done!

Northernlurker · 17/06/2013 12:38

This is a wonderful thread! What a lovely friend you are OP Smile

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