Scheduling Your Baby Naming Ceremony - the Right Time Makes All the Difference

If you're at the stage of wanting to organise a naming ceremony for your baby, then you already know that babies have their own schedule, which doesn't always align with yours. At certain times of the day they are more sociable, more alert, and more amenable to the sort of activities a naming ceremony involves. For a baby this means being clean, being rested, and not being hungry.

Your first priority should be to work out the time of the day that your baby will be at his or her social best. This is often mid-morning or early afternoon, but not every baby keeps to the same timetable. So the primary consideration must be choosing a time for the ceremony which fits your individual baby's feeding/sleep schedule.

A namegiving ceremony must always be conducted on "baby time". This means that as well as being scheduled at the best time for the particular baby, there must be enough time to pause the ceremony and tend to the baby's needs (or the needs of another baby present)if the baby needs changing, feeding or generally soothing.

Celebrants also have schedules, and these frequently involve not only time of the day but day of the week. Here in Brisbane mid-afternoon on any Saturday between September and February is peak demand time for weddings (70% of weddings take place on a Saturday), which tends to result in celebrants who also do weddings being heavily booked. By contrast only about 20% of weddings happen on a Sunday, so scheduling your naming ceremony for a Sunday will mean you will have a greater choice of celebrant, and, if you are planning to have the ceremony in a park or other venue apart from your home or the home of a friend or relative, greater choice of venue, too. Scheduling your ceremony in the morning will also give you greater choice than the afternoon.

Other considerations may include

• A significant date. First birthdays are not uncommon, but it could equally well be another day of significance to you.
• The light. In Queensland, for example, the best light for outdoor photographs is the morning, so if you wish to have an outdoor naming photography might be important.
• Heat. The time of the day the area you want to use will be shaded should get priority in the hot weather.
• Work and other commitments of guests and participants, or travel arrangements for far-flung family and friends.
• Your time-line. If you are planning to schedule your ceremony in the near future you have to be far more flexible than if your proposed date for your ceremony is a long time off.

A good celebrant whose schedule fits yours, a relaxed and happy baby, and an environment that is comfortable for all guests, are the ingredients that make for a happy and relaxed ceremony. All it takes is a little bit of juggling.

Jennifer Cram is an accredited General Civil Celebrant based in Brisbane Queensland Australia where she specialises in performing one of a kind Naming Ceremonies as Beautiful as your Baby and other ceremonies. For more information about her naming ceremonies visit her website http://www.jennifercram.com and/or her Baby Naming Blog.

Copyright © 2005 Jennifer Cram. You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

---

Baby Furniture Buyers Guide

Communication between the guests would be wise to prevent any duplicate gifts. The guests could also choose to get together on something more expensive such as a... Read More

Six Ways to Save on Your Baby Shower

It's time to celebrate the baby! As Keepsake Favors' resident baby shower expert, I've learned how to plan a great party without draining your bank account. Here... Read More

Freezing Homemade Baby Food

With our twin boys getting ready to start solid food, I have been reading about making and freezing my own baby food. It is very easy!You can... Read More

Real Nappies (Cotton Nappies) or Disposables - The Debate

I'm sure you have heard some of the debate surrounding real nappies, whether you should use them, the environmental impact of disposables and so on. Well, this... Read More

The Truth About Baby Bedding

Imagine your little baby in her nursery. So happy in the colorful new home you have prepared for her. Watching the Mobile. Lying down comfortably in her... Read More

Where Will You Give Birth To Your Baby?

Where To Give Birth..You have a choice where to have your baby. As long as there were no complications with your pregnancy, you can give birth at... Read More

13 Donts on Child Safety

For years, we have been taught that 13 is an unlucky number: Don't go up to the 13th floor of a building and don't go out on... Read More

10 Items of the Well-Stocked Diaper Bag

Does your diaper bag have everything you need in it? Of course, you have the basic items: diapers, wipes, bottles, etc. But are you equipped for any... Read More

Baby Shower Gift Ideas

A few guests can get together and get a big laundry basket. Place in it a long clothes line with outfits, diapers, bibs, etc. pinned to it.... Read More

How to Choose a Diaper Pail for Disposable Diapers

When you have already made the decision not to use cloth diapers, your next decision will be how to choose a diaper pail for disposable diapers.To some... Read More

To Develop Your Childs Genius - Start with Your Unborn Baby

Research has shown that babies in their mom's womb can hear sounds from the environment, and it is widely believed that the baby is sensitive to their... Read More

Traveling With Babies

If you start baby travel slowly and plan wisely, both you and baby will enjoy first-class comfort. Begin with baby steps and you'll find that soon you... Read More

Creating Good Feng Shui in Babys Room

Getting ready for a new baby requires a lot of thought and planning from what diapers the baby will wear down to the decoration and arrangement of... Read More

Baby?s First Shoes: How to Choose the Right Ones

Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question: "When should my child start wearing shoes?"There is no clear consensus. Some parents buy shoes as soon... Read More

Breastfeeding A Baby

Breastfeeding Your Baby..Everyone tells you that breastfeeding is best - but why?It contains all the nutrients baby will need.Breast milk contains antibodies which help baby to fight... Read More

Potty Training in One Day - Can You Really Potty Train in a Day? What Does It Mean?

Sounds great ? doesn't it?Or does it sound too good to be true?It all comes down to perspective and expectations.If these words evoke the idea of a... Read More

Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs

Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery. Most parents can get away with keeping their newborn in a bassinet for the first few weeks... Read More

The Personality Traits Of An Aries Baby

Your Aries Baby..21 March - 19 April.A typical Aries has a strong, active body and mind. Aries babies usually walk and talk early, but can be lazy.... Read More

The Character Traits of a Scorpio Baby

Your Scorpio Baby..October 23 - November 21 Young Scorpios have strong personalities. They know what they want and will go out and get it. Very loving and... Read More

Healthy Baby Food - When is the Best Time to Start Consuming Juice?

Mother's milk is the best choice for healthy baby food. However, there will be a time when the baby needs much more nutrients as they grow up... Read More

Luxury Baby Bedding - What to Look For Before You Buy

When buying luxury baby bedding, perhaps first decide what style and fabric you like best. When you decide what luxury baby bedding you want, mix and match... Read More

Planning a Baby Shower

This article has information for the novice as well as the more experienced. Information is provided pertaining to when to plan the shower, who should give the... Read More

How Often Should A One-Month Baby Go for Check Up?

What happen during the first month of your newborn, does your baby need check up? In the first weeks after birth, your newborn begins a series of... Read More

Family Baby Showers

The addition of baby number 2, 3, or 10 is an occasion to celebrate for any family.Just think how exciting it must be for your littlest one... Read More

Baby Sleep Tips

Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a challenge for new parents. Here are some tips so that both you and your... Read More

Baby Shower Party Decorations to Liven up Your Baby Shower

An excellent source of information providing the perfect baby shower party decorations and baby shower themes. Decorations and themes that are focused and timesavers for the host.... Read More