to tell her to jog on? naming day

[bettyberry]

Just received an invite to a naming ceremony.

Its a non-religious thing and is mostly people giving speeches and dedications to the children (Part of me is thinking of the scene in sleeping beauty where the fairies bestow gifts on the baby)

There is a dress code, a gift list (no deviating!) and strict instructions not to drink alcohol even though the venue has a bar.

There will be no food provided for the 'party' just snacks (crisps, nuts etc) or drinks apart from soda.

It is 3 hours long, early evening, right around dinner time.

The children haven't changed names, no blended family, marriage or ensuring DCs have the same surname etc (I'd still be a bit for these but understand the value of celebrating a 'new' family set up) parents have been together 10+years.

The children are 5 and 8.

To me it all feels a bit grabby (the specific gift list) and that the host (the DCs mother) is feeling a bit put out both her sisters have had babies recently and no one is interested in her spoilt children.

Please tell me I'm not going barmy and this really is just a 'look at me, I'm here! Look at me!' thing.

i'd go, have a good old drink at the bat, possibly take a burger & chips with me and no presents

How would a naming ceromony for a eight and five year old work?

I'm certain after that many years they know their names!

**bar - ffs

Just dont go - the mother sounds well grabby - 5 and 8 indeed! Well if she was trying to get them into a church school that would be one thing, but this is not even a religious ceremony.
Gift list? My FAT ARSE!!!

little I think having a good old drink at the bat is spot on for this thread

Out of interest, what sort of things are on the gift list?! Is it useful things, duvets, schoolbooks, clothes etc, or toys, dvds etc?

Gift suggestions...

Wow! I finally got round to changing my name to my married one at the bank the other day..new cards and everything.

I'm 36, can I have a party? Anything off this little list from Tiffany's will do..

Seriously grabby, wtf is she thinking ?! If you go (and I sincerely hope you don't) then bring a nice, educational book as a gift, and hit the bar early...

How weird.

I just just at a naming day, for a baby, and we were all supplied with large amount of food and drinks. No gifts expected. It was a lovely day, though I was vaguely disappointed that they hadn't kept his name secret or had told everyone a decoy name and the revealed something slightly bonkers on the day like 'Flamingo Spotty McDodo'

Crikey!

I'd do as RockerMummy says - probably with an IV attached pumping neat vodka through my system! Specified gifts? That's almost an invitation to do something appalling like show up with 2 McDonald's Happy Meals!
Here - you're not related to the 'baby on holiday' lot are you?

'These 'naming ceremonies' make me vomit in my mouth a little bit anyway'

Same here!

OP, there's not a single part of that that doesn't sound utterly dreadful. I would decline and send sweet sod all

Maybe I'll have a naming ceremony for myself. It would be like when Carrie Bradshaw registered for a gift list for herself in SATC

MaxPepsi I am related to her, yes! no baby from me though.

I feel so much better that I'm not being daft about it.

I am tempted to send her some of these replies though. Maybe stick them in a card and post it in my place

That is beyond bonkers.

Please come to our 'completely bullshit' event. You must wear clothes as specified by us, and you must bring our DC a gift from the list, but please do not enjoy yourselves by having any real sustenance or an alcoholic drink.

Ha! Ask her to remind you of the names she has chosen? 5 and 8 years is just not long enough to allow it to sink in.

Seems very grabby to me.

Is she likely to strop if you don not turn up?

On the gift list

• waterstones book vouchers
• argos vouchers
• disney store vouchers
• Lego
• hobbycraft voucher

Seriously! that's it. I'd photograph it but theres so much personal info on the invite..

Looking at it I'm now wondering if this is her way to do xmas shopping.

Anyone want to adopt me? I'm after a new family ;)

I need to know the dress code?

Speeches and dedications?! What's there to say?

"Jane - heretofore to be known as, well, Jane - has just started kindergarten. Her finger painting achievements have brought delight and wonderment to herself and her parents.

John - heretofore to be known as John - has started yr[3?]. He excels at basic arithmetic and football.

Please all raise your glasses of juice to Jane and John, in demonstration of your continued welcome of Jane and John as friends and members of your family".

Cringeworthy!

The only time I have heard of something like this was when a couple adopted and once it was finalised they had the children christened but they did attend church every week and there was a no gift order. They just wanted everyone to meet their family.

It sounds like mums nose is out of joint.

Jog on seems eminently reasonable as a response, tbh!

I can see the point of having a "naming ceremony" when they're babies, and when you would normally do a christening if you're religious, but not when they're 5 and 8!
Conversely, I can also see the point of christening them at 5 and 8 if you suddenly find religion and want them to be brought into the church - but naming ceremonies aren't about that at all, so there IS no point.

I fear you may be right about the grabby and/or attention-seeking aspect.

I really wouldn't go though, it sounds boring as shit remarkably inhospitable with the lack of decent food and the banning of alcohol!

m0therofdragons Dress code is 'christening attire'. I wonder if she expects me to fit into a christening gown. Not sure I could squeeze a boob in it tbh

I'm guessing she means formal wear so it would be the sort of stuff you wear to a wedding.

Go on buy her a nightlight from the Facebook thread I linked to!

And get rreeeeaaallly drunk! And order a takeaway to be delivered whilst you are there...

She's batshit crazy.

I'd be incredibly 'booked up' for that day. Wouldn't consider it for a second. Batshit crazy.

I thought it was an awful idea. . . and then I saw their ages. Decline, it's bloody ridiculous and how cheeky to ask for gifts?!

Groovee yes, I get that too. adopting, blending families, taking on a new surname if a parent remarries to make the kids feel important. I get that. I'd be fully behind it. Especially an adoption because adopted kids get it rough and making them feel part of the family is a wonderful idea but here... none of that.

Lego? Will these do?