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

[doubleshotespresso]

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?!?!?!

Me ! Me !!

Oh me too - double for godmother yay!

Yes to double being the godmother. I've been following this thread and you are an amazing friend.

Adorns doubleshotespresso with "Best Friend and Hero 2013" sash and 2 dozen long stem roses.

Any more updates double
Still dying to know if DDP has coughed up the deposit?

Hello again, sorry last night was one of those testing ones. Was just getting dinner preparations underway as the phone rang from DSD school.... This ended up with dinner getting re-fridged whilst we spent 2 1/2 hours in A&E due to her bashing her head on the tarmac during a netball match.... All absolutely fine with DSD but a very late dinner followed (good though, all kids, DP, FDH and friend werebthere)....
Been working today, and have mainlined on coffee since 6 this morning.....

Yes there will be more wine this evening.... Friend and her DH are taking myself and DH for dinner which is wonderful..... Leaving soon but wanted to update a bit before I go....

So an update of sorts:

I have only met friends sister a handful of times, and always at a big gathering, so don't really know how much of this we can blame on her..... Friends parents have been in contact with her and I gather words have been had. We have all "totally embarrassed her apparently".

We received an email from the planner earlier this afternoon, stating that he acknowledges receipt of our letter and will be in telephone contact by the end of the week. Carefully worded reply has been sent.

Friends DH has not yet visited DDP. Am sure he will maybe tomorrow or Friday.

Friend, her DH and baby will return home tonight, and she honestly looks a different woman to when we met last week. And importantly is now excited about the day - thank goodness.

The next few days I am able to work from home, where I have a few appointments to drive to, but am largely close to home. So friend and baby will get dropped off and collected here by her DH when he goes and returns from work. She needs some support with getting to doctors, school run for her DSS and with the baby etc and I think just needs some company...

Anyway I now have 10 minutes to do a quick make-up job, so am off out for dinner..... So lovely to be going out and not cooking this evening....

That's all for now! Will update as soon as there's more..... Thanks again for the kind messages, you are all so supportive and it has been so helpful to me to read the humorous posts!

Thanks OP for your excellent updates.

I love updates.

Hope you have a lovely dinner.

double I hope you realise how many complete strangers are on the Internet wishing you well and so glad you managed to help with this.

MCs are horrible things so wishing you lots of luck there.

Hope you've a lovely dinner - and that if you're down south the restaurant has air conditioning!

Have just stumbled across this thread and read the whole thing unfolding - actually had tears in my eyes at a couple of bits (and had a bit of wee at "Fronk"!) I'm SO pleased that it's all working out and hope your friend enjoys the day, it's been for the best really that that awful list came out, coz she seems to have been slowly going crazy on her own. You have been awesome double, what a brilliant friendship you guys have - you're amaze!!

Dinner was fab!!! And no washing up-even more fab!

beginnings thanks so much that is very kind... Yes down south and it was boiling so we ate outside which was wonderful....

The house feels weirdly quiet tonight..... Not that it is quiet really, the usual thumping and arguing , but so glad this is nearly all over.... And that my friend is on the mend now... Yes she needs more help but the improvement is so evident already....

And over dinner a confession came from DP- DSD (&friend!) recorded my rant to the DDP on her Ipad and emailed it to DP- who then "shared" it with Friends DH!!!! I am apparently now a force to be reckoned with..... I have been promised it will benshared no further..... Oh dear. the joys of technology (& savvy teenagers!)....

Friend, baby and I are going to the doctors, followed by a trip into Kent where I have a meeting, then we will have lunch and a poodle about the shops in a lovely little village there. Hopefully it will be nice weather like today....

So me and the kindle are off to bed again...........

Oh and thanks all again!

oh dear but wow at DSD recording your epic rant! Hope that gives her pause for thought should she ever think about going up against you!

As for friend's sister - pfft. She SHOULD be embarrassed - but because she inflicted Fronkalike on her poor new-mum sister, not because of anything since then!

Tell your DSD there are people on MN who would pay good money to hear that rant...

I predict and would pay a bribe to ensure a YouTube moment
And double could use it to support her application to The Apprentice 2014!!

Giraffesandbutterflies - having cringed my way through all 11mins and 36 seconds of it I think you would all be proud, but I am still reeling as I do not think I have ever in my life been so sarcastic and businesslike at the same time. It made for eerie listening..... Although DP of course thinks this is the funniest thing since Christmas...... Who actually said over dinner "so how much is it worth not to post your rant on youtube?"

My reply was " remember who cooks your food!"

It appears I suddenly have just a little street cred though? DSD's very weak defence was she wanted her Dad to hear it because he thinks the planner deserves shooting.... I guess my friends knowledge of it while they both sat wide-eyed on the sofa behind me gave her assurance....

Bare stress people bare stress! So now I really am off to bed!

you are amazing.
soooooo glad you talked your friend, and that you could actually do something about it.

I would absolutely pay money to hear that rant. You are amazing.

It appears I suddenly have just a little street cred though?
Haha I bet! Both at home and on MN

Thanks for updating!

You are ace. Know who to call when I need to get medieval on someone's ass.

Double you are amazing. I'm another who'd be happy to hear that rant

Have kept popping back to this thread over the last few days but not posted until now.

OP - you are awesome! Hope all continues to go well, and make sure you look after yourself too - you deserve it.

Another vote for getting the planner rant on YouTube - and can't even begin to tell you how much I'd love to see the lunatic's website. Maybe when you've safely got the money back?!

Well I never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess who paid back their deposit IN FULL this morning........

Friend just called to confirm the money has been refunded to the card and she is now officially free of the planner. And the sodding gift list.....

Just had to nip out the office to grab a celebratory latte (yes & muffin) and to update you all.....

Back with full details later as there is final email from him I am currently absorbing.... But whoah- I did not believe this would get paid back without a fight. Wow. Just wow.

Woohooo! Well done, doubleshot - you are most definitely a sick force to cause bare stress be reckoned with!