Naming Ceremonies
A Naming Ceremony is a very special way of celebrating the birth of your child and welcoming the new addition to the family. It is a chance to remind everyone of the great responsibility involved in raising a child and to recognise those who will have an important role in your child’s development.
During the naming ceremony parents are reminded, and made more fully aware of their responsibilities, as are the godparents (also called, “mentors” or “guardians”) and grandparents.
Naming Ceremonies are not only for newborn babies and it is common to hold a naming ceremony as the center piece of the child’s first birthday celebrations.It is also a beautiful way to welcome and celebrate an adoptive child into the family or to embrace stepchildren into a new family. Whether the ceremony is held at home, in a park, a restaurant, many fun elements can be woven into the ceremony to make it a relaxed and memorable day.
A Naming Ceremony can include all, or some or any of the following steps:
• Introduction and Welcome
• Readings ~ Parents, Grandparents, Godparents
• Blessings and Benedictions
• Naming of the Child
• Promises to the Child ~ Parents, Grandparents, Godparents, etc.
• Parents’ vows to each other
• Closing Words
• The Presentation of a gift to the child
Symbolism used in a Baby Naming Ceremony could include:
– Lighting a candle
– Releasing butterflies
– Showering with rose petals
– Planting a tree
– Making a Wish
– Releasing balloons
If you would like, I can provide certificates for the child, godparents/mentors. Certificates for siblings and grandparents can also be arranged.
However you choose to celebrate the occasion, I can tailor the ceremony to suit your individual needs and make your child’s Naming Day unique.