Optional extras
The Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree adds a personal touch to a Namegiving Ceremony and gives everyone a chance to participate as well as creating a beautiful keepsake for your child.
It involves a series of cards with ribbons, which can either be hung up on some ribbon during the namegiving celebrations or can be presented to the child in a box. Each card is created and printed up by us and each card has the child’s name and contains a wish for what family and friends hope and dream for the child’s future.
The cards make a wonderful inclusion to the ceremony and make a gorgeous keepsake for the child (they will love to read these when they are older, or would make a wonderful presentation for the child on their 16, 18 or 21st birthday).
Cards contain wishes supplied by us and guests can choose which suits them best or blank cards can be handed out prior to the ceremony and guests can make up their own wish for the child.
These cards can either be hung up on a ribbon between trees during the Namegiving celebration for people to read or the guests can read their card during the ceremony as a show of their commitment to the child.
An example of the phrases that the prepared wishing cards contain are-
‘Childs Name’ I wish for you-
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a sense of compassion for others
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a sense of humour
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an appreciation of your roots and your cultural heritage
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an awareness that you are a citizen of the world
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a passion for life that rubs off on all those around you
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a love of the outdoors and a real spirit of adventure
All the guests can also write their name and a short message to the child on the back of the card.
If the cards are read out during the ceremony, everyone gets a real sense of participation in the ceremony, and a satisfaction that they will all play an important part in the child’s life.
Candle Lighting Ceremony
The lighting of a candle during a ceremony represents a new light and from there an eternal flame and can be a wonderful addition to the Celebration.
The Candle Lighting Ceremony includes-
-A reading to explain the symbolism of the ritual
-A short personal history of the mother and father and their relationship to show the importance of the family unit that will support the child
-A candle and candle holder supplied for the ritual – the candle can be kept as a keepsake for the child.
Release of Balloons
Balloons are a wonderful addition to any celebration and also symbolize a new beginning, a celebration. Balloons can have wishes tied to them to be sent upwards towards the stars where most people look to have their wishes come true. Each person who provides a wish can have a chance to read their wish to the child and this is a wonderful chance to involve people in the ceremony.
The Release of Balloons includes-
-A group of 10 helium filled balloons in any colour you desire.
-Wishing Cards with Ribbons attached so that Parents/Brothers/Sisters/Grandparents/God Parents/Life Mentors/Extended Family/Friends can write a wish for the child and send it skywards.
-A section of the ceremony dedicated to the release of the balloons with an explanation of their symbolism and a chance for each wish writer to read out their wish to the child.
-The actual release of the balloons by the parents and child, and a chance to watch this wonderful visual effect.
Cultural History into Birth Rites of Passage
Many Cultures have different traditions or rituals associated with the birth of a child.
I can research into your child's or your ancestral histories culture and incorporate these traditions into your Naming Ceremony. It makes a wonderful reminder of where we come from and how important it is to celebrate different cultures and traditions.
