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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:
AndHarry · 15/06/2013 08:19

Shock What an idiot! (Event planner). You sound like such a lovely friend, well done you. Best of luck sorting everything out!

squeaver · 15/06/2013 08:44

I think the sister needs a bloody good talking-to as well.

I wonder if this is an Australian thing then? I know quite a few people who live/have lived there (and had babies there) and I've never heard of it. Not doubting her word, btw, just curious.

squeaver · 15/06/2013 08:45

And, of course, well done for jumping in and sorting things.

AntoinetteCosway · 15/06/2013 08:47

OP you are lovely.

ZillionChocolate · 15/06/2013 08:56

Phew!

whattodoo · 15/06/2013 09:05

Oh wow, what a fantastically strong friendship you have. She's a lucky lady.

Give her a hug from me.

StealthPolarBear · 15/06/2013 09:06

Just read your updates, oP you are brilliant!

ChallyCreaks · 15/06/2013 09:10

I have just seen this thread this morning. You are a lovely friend and I am sure with your help, she can sort this mess out. First thing would be to sack the event planner. He has obviously caused a lot of stress and angst amongst the family.

Work out together what she really wants for the naming ceremony. Does it start in the afternoon or was it originally an evening ceremony? Scrap the 11pm finish. WTF was that all about?

Call/email family and friends to explain the mistake and revised plans.

Good luck with sorting it all out.

ChasedByBees · 15/06/2013 09:44

What a lovely friend you are Flowers

crunchbag · 15/06/2013 10:15

Glad to hear that this barmy idea came from a planner rather than your friend.

Hope it will all get sorted with a laugh and that your friends DH is stepping up more rather then taking a back seat and letting her swim through it all.

xigris · 15/06/2013 10:23

Oh well done double! You sound like a fab friend. So glad it's all been sorted Flowers and Wine for you

ssd · 15/06/2013 10:25

well done op

I take it her sister doesn't have kids either?

O'd say she needs her arse kicked more than the camp party planner, at least he's got an excuse

Elquota · 15/06/2013 10:36

Not having kids doesn't make someone behave like this. I'm sure there are plenty of people without kids who wouldn't dream of it, and some who do have them who'd do something similar.

itsonlyapapermoon · 15/06/2013 10:45

By the way-it's definitely not an Aussie thing, not as far as I'm aware. Anyone that did something like that would be thought of as a total grabby wanker! Glad you've got it all sorted, your poor friend must be relieved!! :)

ChippingInWiredOnCoffee · 15/06/2013 10:49

Doubleshot - would you like to be my friend??

I have just read all of your posts (but only a few of the others) and I am so glad it ended like this.

You are a really, really lovely friend and your DH sounds like a lovely guy too.

I would consider getting this thread deleted as it wont be nice for her to come across - as even though you have been lovely, some posters have not and she probably doesn't need to read what some people thought about her and then feel lots of guests might have felt like that too?? Just a thought.

foslady · 15/06/2013 11:02

Aw - you're lovely! Your poor friend, I've gone from thinking she was an entitled batshit to wanting to give her a hug! My heart goes out to her....and that planner needs a right bollocking!

Glad to hear that she is seeing the funny side, and I'm sure the day will now be a day to remember for all the right reasons

onedev · 15/06/2013 11:15

I want to give your friend a hug too - poor thing! Glad you're helping her to get things sorted! I'm sure it'll be a lovely day now. Smile

Smartiepants79 · 15/06/2013 11:21

Lovely ending.
You are a friend in the truest sense of the word.
Your were gentle but honest with her, putting her first even at the risk of your friendship.
I hope that now she has confided her struggles to someone she can start to get a bit of help and support. She sounds like a good person and mum.
Hope the naming day is wonderful.

BeyonceCastle · 15/06/2013 11:25

Flowers for you
Brew for her

note to all like Lavender wrote
Well done OP

pigletmania · 15/06/2013 11:31

Oh that's fantastic, poor thing I think s got very overwhelmed ad did not knw how to deal with it. I would ditch planner tbh and have te day that you want not what somebody else wants

pigletmania · 15/06/2013 11:33

You two sound like great friends and iam glad you tod her in a gentle and non confrontational way

SauvignonBlanche · 15/06/2013 12:29

Well done OP, you've been a true friend. Flowers

headlesslambrini · 15/06/2013 12:58

Play dumb - list what list? We didnt get a list in our invite.

exoticfruits · 15/06/2013 13:02

You do have to read the thread, headless, to see how it turned out!

Original poster
doubleshotespresso · 15/06/2013 13:43

Thanks all for the lovely messages today. It has been a lovely morning, we have laughed and cried and have brainstormed a whole new plan for the day, more of that in a bit. We have a meeting scheduled at the hotal tomorrow morning and I have spoken with the manager there who will assist us with any and all changes. He could not have been kinder or more understanding. I have high hopes. When this is done, regardless of cost, we will be dispensing with the planner, who our friends' DH is keen to eliminate on hearing all this madness. Having read through the paperwork I do not see this being a huge problem as there is plenty of time yet to go.... And to be honest it all reads a it flakily too ..... He sounds like a real chancer!

In answer to a previous poster, yes the idea is apparently "growing" in Australia for gift lists for new mothers'. How grabby....

But for now the more pressing issue of cleaning up our 3 boys who have just returned from the muddiest EVER football match in the world. They are getting bathed and I would die on the spot if any of you were to see my hallway or kitchen floor right now- it looks like mud wrestlers have invaded!

Then lunch, settle kids with a movie and our marathon phone call blitz commences..... To inform all guests to disregard the gift list and then explain it will be a really very much more normal affair.

I cannot thank you all enough for the humour and support this thread has given me. I will post later with our revised and improved plans and hopefully a positive outcome of all the phone calls.

My friend is looking a little more human today and though tearful, is much more the person I recognise as the girl who has shared so many good memories with us. We have named the planner Elton John....

OP posts:
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