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Original poster

Etiquette for a naming ceremony

17 replies

BIWI · 13/03/2022 22:32

Have been invited to a family member's naming ceremony (18 month old). I don't think it's a 'formal' ceremony - e.g. not being presided over by a Humanist or any other celebrant, just being organised/presented by another relative.

I've been invited to attend; I'm a fairly close family member. But is it the done thing to take a gift, which you would expect to do if it were a religious Christening? And if so, would it be the same kind of gift?

Any ideas/suggestions very gratefully received.

TIA.

OP posts:

Kite22 · 14/03/2022 00:09

I've never been to one, but my assumption would be that, just as if I were invited to any other celebration, I would take a gift.

Party to celebrate a birthday ? I'd take a present
Party to celebrate a wedding ? I'd take a present
Party to celebrate a house warming ? I'd take a present
Party to celebrate an anniversary ? I'd take a present
Party to celebrate a retirement ? I'd take a present
Party to celebrate a Christening or confirmation or First Communion ? I'd take a present

So, party to name a baby ? I'd take a present

SparkleSpangle · 14/03/2022 00:13

I'd assume non religious christening, gifts expected. A money box would be nice.

Dinoteeth · 14/03/2022 00:21

Yes I'd take a gift couple of books or cash for bank. I'd avoid silver gifts that just end up as clutter in a few years

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DramaAlpaca · 14/03/2022 00:29

I've been to one of these. I took a gift, I think everyone did. Mine was a book, a non religious one of course. I think it was a beautifully illustrated book of stories from what I remember.

Original poster

BIWI · 14/03/2022 09:42

Thanks all. I had assumed that a gift would be required, but my SIL wasn't sure and seemed surprised that I'd asked. (She's a lovely SIL btw!)

A book is a lovely idea.

OP posts:

drspouse · 14/03/2022 09:58

We usually get something like this for similar occasions:

www.amazon.co.uk/Puffin-Baby-Toddler-Treasury/dp/0670878324/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&crid=ECZ02K2WGIIT&keywords=treasury+of+children%27s+stories+penguin&sprefix=treasury+of+children+s+stories+penguin%2Cstripbooks%2C219&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1647251856&sr=1-4

My DCs still look back at it now they can read it by themselves.

Original poster

BIWI · 14/03/2022 10:00

Thank you @drspouse. That's a lovely suggestion.

OP posts:

PuffinShop · 14/03/2022 10:33

We had naming parties for our babies, but it was where we actually announced their names, when they were about 4 weeks old. Our son had a joint naming party with his cousin who was about 6 months old but that was considered a late naming even in our culture where people don't name babies at birth. A few people gave christening style presents, but it was sort of combined with the new baby presents so people who'd already given us a present didn't give us another one.

Don't you already know the name of an 18 month old? What is a naming ceremony if the baby has already been named?

Seems like a book would be a safe choice, though.

Original poster

BIWI · 14/03/2022 10:41

Well, yes, of course I know the baby's name at 18 months old! And yes, presents were given at birth, plus also the first birthday.

I suspect that they would have the ceremony much earlier if it hadn't been for Covid.

OP posts:

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/03/2022 10:45

I'm genuinely puzzled what a 'naming ceremony' for an 18 month old is. If a child is not being inducted into a religion (baptism etc.) then what is this for?

Original poster

BIWI · 14/03/2022 10:49

No idea! Other than, probably, an opportunity to get the family together.

They're not a religious family so I have assumed this is their version of a Christening. But mainly a party

It's definitely a thing though: see here

OP posts:

PuffinShop · 14/03/2022 10:50

Yeah, I just don't understand what it is, then. I just opened the thread because I thought I knew that a naming ceremony is to name a baby in a non-religious way and I've done that, but clearly this is something different!

I'd go with a nice book, they always go down well ime.

Original poster

BIWI · 14/03/2022 10:51

I agree with you about a book @PuffinShop

OP posts:

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/03/2022 10:53

With an 18 month old this does feel a bit like like a cynical ploy to get some presents.
But I am a miserable old git so always suspect the worst .

Original poster

BIWI · 14/03/2022 11:00

I don't think it is a ploy though, knowing the family as I do. I genuinely think it's about marking the arrival of the child (later than would normally have happened, given that she was born in the middle of the pandemic), and a reason to have a party.

But part of the reason for asking here is that, given the presents I have already bought, I wondered if more would be expected - from an etiquette point of view, not so much from the family's point of view.

OP posts:

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 14/03/2022 11:06

Ah well. I concur with others here then - a book is always good.

irregularegular · 14/03/2022 11:08

You need to take something. I don't think it necessarily has to be a christening type gift. If you want to take something for the child then I agree that a book is the best plan (lasting, not expensive, and you can't have too many).

Otherwise I'd just take flowers or champagne!

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