Naming and adoption ceremonies

Many parents are eschewing traditional religious christenings and instead choosing sometime much more personal. A naming ceremony is a beautiful way to welcome the birth of a child or the adoption into a family.

Here are some ideas to give you an outline of how you may want to conduct your child's/children's special day or naming ceremony:

• Lucy gives a welcome to all and explains the significance of day
• We consider the beauty that is family, both as friends and blood
• A reading or a poem
• We celebrate the child/children and the significance of a name
• We celebrate the importance and responsibility of parenting
• Parents vows and promises to the child
• Appointment of guardians and their vows of protection
• The naming itself
• Concluding words

Throughout this beautiful and personalised ceremony we can use symbolism representing interests, beliefs and family foundations.

• A book can be available at the celebration, which guests are asked to sign or write a message in for the child and the family
• Child naming certificates can be presented to the Guardians
• Sand-sharing between Guardians and parents symbolising the blending of love, strength and support for the child, also creates a beautiful gift for your child/children to cherish forever
• Let's plant a tree of some bulbs as a symbol of everlasting strength and new life and growth within a new family
• Guardians can handfast their blessings and desires for the child/children they are here to support, along with parents
• A unity candle could be lit to signify the burning light of guidance between parents and child/children
• Guests could be asked to bring something small for the child, such as a letter or a flower, which is collected at the start of the ceremony
• Planting a tree either as part of the ceremony or after at your home to symbolise growing as family

And so the possibilities are endless, the welcomes are many and the love remains strong.