CHRISTINE O'MALLEY
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Giving a special gift to a child as a memento of their day is a wonderful way to remember the happy occasion. It also means that as the child grows older the significance of the gift can be explained. Last week I talked about gift giving within a Naming ceremony. Here is another example of this. This is an extract from a ceremony I conducted in which a gift of a silver thimble was given. "In the story of Peter Pan, Peter and Wendy meet for the first time when Peter is attempting to reattach himself to his shadow. Since his attempt to stick it back with soap fails, Wendy offers to sew the shadow onto Peter with a needle and thread. Once it is attached she offers to give Peter a kiss and he holds out his hand. Not wishing to offend him Wendy places her thimble in his hand. So the thimble becomes a symbol both love and the capacity for compassion in a child."
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Giving a gift within a Naming ceremony can hold a lot of meaning. It may be something that can be kept as a memento of the day or it may be something which has been passed down the family and represent the connections a child has to family and heritage. A gift may also hold a deeper meaning. This is an extract from a naming ceremony I conducted in which the gift was a special feather. A gift of a feather was given to the child by her older sibling. "It is said that there are two things that we can give our children, roots and wings and this feather is a symbol of these things. Roots - not to tie you to the ground but to guide you to where fulfilment can be found, a nourishing start and a firm foundation. Wings - to soar over obstacles, to fly free and glide the heights of the best you can be and to return you home." Surely the wish we would like for every child. Bringing family and friends together is a wonderful way to introduce your new child to the wider community in which they will grow and thrive. The ideal way to do this, if you do not wish to have a religious ceremony, is to have a naming ceremony. There are a number of reasons why you might choose a Celebrant led ceremony. The naming of a child establishes their individuality. Within a Naming ceremony parents dedicate themselves to the upbringing of their child and make promises regarding their future hopes. There is also an opportunity for other adults to make promises of special concern for the welfare of the child as they mature into adulthood. For family and friends who witness the ceremony it is a time to reflect on the part they may play in the child's life in the future. If you would like more information about naming ceremonies please get in touch. A couple’s ceremony is the general term which includes Weddings, Renewal of Vows and Commitment ceremonies. Creating a romantic atmosphere will enhance your ceremony but how can this be achieved ? If you are outdoors try to define the space, you can do this in a number of ways including creating a walkway marked with flags, lanterns, or flowers to lead your guests to the ceremony area. Ensure that the space your ceremony will take place in is clearly visible to everyone and that seating is available. Ribbons which flutter in the wind, tea lights in jars hanging from branches or a flower arch are fairly simple to construct and can look stunning. A couple’s ceremony is the general term which includes Weddings, Renewal of Vows and Commitment ceremonies. Creating a romantic atmosphere will enhance your ceremony but how can this be achieved? Set the mood As guests enter the space your will be using for your ceremony think about what they will see, hear and smell. Flowers and balloons can add to the visual impact, whilst a carefully chosen sound track can add to the mood. If you are going to use the same room all day then consider how you can change the mood as the day progresses by changing the level of lighting. |
AuthorChoosing a Celebrant to help you create that special ceremony is an important step towards making your occasion a really memorable one. Why not take advantage of the free initial meeting I offer ? I believe it is important to meet informally to discuss your ideas and what I can offer. Meeting also gives us an opportunity to explore the type of ceremony that would best suit your needs. Archives
February 2026
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