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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:
Cuddlydragon · 15/06/2013 00:03

Oh dear, it all sounds so out of control. Would it be possible for your friend to just cancel. She can then do something more baby focused at another time?

spondulix · 15/06/2013 00:08

Oh no, poor woman :(

spondulix · 15/06/2013 00:18

What was that event organiser thinking?!

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 15/06/2013 00:37

Ok back sorry...

So I am collecting her, baby and DSS in the morning ans she will stay with us untilmTuesday when her DH returns from business...... She needs a break and a breather from the house.

We will contact the planner who sounds insane. Changes will be made. Then I will help her word a note to all guests which will basically explain all to them and inform them to disregard the bonkers gift list.... She just wants it to be "a nce day where everybody can meet and share with us and the baby"....

Then she will call in-laws (who are outraged apparently) and explain all the above. then she will go to bed and rest and we can watch over baby and entertain DSS.

Hopefully we can avert any purchases from the list and have time to make some changes and I think sack theplanner. My DP has filled in her DH and he is delighted they are with us for the next few days and was unaware of all the circus type details.

I feel relieved to have not lost the friendship and that Inam able to help her correct things before the big (or not so big) day.....

OP posts:
spondulix · 15/06/2013 00:45

Sounds like an excellent plan. Your friend is very lucky to have you on board. She is going to feel a million times better once those notes go out.

Flowers for both of you. Hope you have a nice weekend.

Thesunalwayshinesontv · 15/06/2013 01:01

Brilliant. You are a good friend. She's lucky to have you.

Poor thing. Hope she feels better about it soon, and doesn't let this mar the occasion. Best way about this kind of thing is humour, I think.

Bet that event organiser has no kids!

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 15/06/2013 01:07

Yes we have laughed already. Her relief was tangible. I think this was a train she felt she could not bring to a stop if you know what I mean?

Fwiw I thnik anybody invited will probably have a good giggle and then feel for a new Mum who clearly hs herself in a bit of a state through lack of sleep....

Oh and unless he adopts, the planner is unlikely to have kids. As camp as Christmas apparently. I think the list was for him!

Goodnight all and thanks for the posts...

OP posts:
SirBoobAlot · 15/06/2013 01:18

Oh bless her. You sound like a fantastic friend.

BridgetBidet · 15/06/2013 01:24

I thought this was going to be a really horrible thread. In fact it has turned out to be a totally lovely one. Flowers

MumnGran · 15/06/2013 03:59

Brilliant news Double, and sounds as though you handled it perfectly. Am a huge believer in honesty being the best policy, and it seems as though - in this case - it has really let you come to the rescue of someone who obviously is a real friend.

Poor girl ....she will spend years recovering from feeling like a "doughnut", but I suspect will also be eternally grateful that you were honest and supportive when she really needed someone on her side particularly as the families seem to have just caused upset rather than helping with the root problem

Result!! (and now you can give the baby gift with no angst!!)

Lavenderhoney · 15/06/2013 04:22

what a great friend you are- she is very lucky to have you.

totally agree to sack the planner and not pay them of course. I doubt they'd ever get work again if you named and shamed them! I still think its a very odd thing to do, the party planner sounds mad or very inexperienced or both.

could it cancelled and replaced with something round Christmas? unless that might look even more suspiciously expectant:)

or keep to October and I think a letter or card with " please disregard present list it was a mix up by the party planner who I have sacked, please just bring yourselves and good wishes and joy for the baby' should go out as well as a phone call to everyone just to be clear.

KalevalaForMePlease · 15/06/2013 04:44

Aww, that's lovely, what a great friend you are. Sounds like she needs a break and a chance to clear her head. I bet it'll be a lovely day now and you'll both have a good laugh about this in the future!

GiraffesAndButterflies · 15/06/2013 04:56

Bloody idiot planner needs a good lecture IMO! Obviously it's unintentional, but look at the harm he's done. Angry Surely the whole point of hiring one is to avoid shit like this.

Your poor friend is very lucky to have you OP.

MammaTJ · 15/06/2013 05:10

Oh I am so pleased you have managed to sort it all out and look after your friend in such a lovely way.

LoveBeingUpAt4InTheMorning · 15/06/2013 05:34

Well done op

LittleBearPad · 15/06/2013 06:33

Bless her. The planner should definitely be sacked. He's certainly not very good at his job if he thinks this was appropriate. Glad she's with you.

Gooseysgirl · 15/06/2013 06:56

This all makes a lot of sense now doesn't it! The planner must be totally bonkers and definitely needs to get the boot...

LittlePeaPod · 15/06/2013 07:12

Oh I fel awful now... Poor girl. The planner needs shooting for taking advantage of a new mum when she is feeling so vulnerable.. Sack him/her. I hope my friends are as true to me as you are to her...

LeoTheLateBloomer · 15/06/2013 07:19

I've been lurking throughout this thread but just wanted to say to OP that I think you're a wonderful friend and she's bloody lucky to have you. Her sister needs a serious talking to.

Have fun with the planning Smile

beginnings · 15/06/2013 07:30

How lucky is she to have a friend like you! Well done.

The planner needs a VERY good talking too.

AKissIsNotAContract · 15/06/2013 07:31

Great update. What a lovely friend you are.

LindyHemming · 15/06/2013 07:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Xiaoxiong · 15/06/2013 07:44

You're a really great friend. I'm sure everyone will be as sympathetic as you considering how out of character for her all this has been. Hopefully the event planner will take his firing gracefully and not make a fuss, that's the last thing she needs!

weebarra · 15/06/2013 07:47

Glad to hear such a positive update, you are a great friend and the party planner is a twat!

SauceForTheGander · 15/06/2013 08:12

I actually feel like buying her something now. Hope it all gets sorted easily.

Idiot planner.

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