If you would like to celebrate the arrival of a new baby with friends and family, but are looking for an alternative to a traditional christening, this is the book for you. Civil weddings have been popular for a long time, but you can now have a Civil Naming ceremony for your child, held either at your local registry office, or at any venue of your choice. As there is no legal requirement, you can hold the party at home, in your garden, or at any venue you like. You can host the event yourselves, or ask a registered celebrant to host the event. This book contains lots of ideas to make your civil naming ceremony memorable and unique to your family. There are ideas for poems, readings, music, themes, and special ideas for how to mark the occasion. Everyone can get involved; grandparents, siblings, and specially nominated adults who can act as guardians. There are readings suitable for all. This book includes: - How to plan the naming party and ceremony - Ideas for indoors and outdoors decor, plus simple decorations - Providing entertainment and fun for children and adults - 10 special event ideas for the day, such as star naming, planting a tree and filling a time capsule - Traditional and contemporary ideas for readings and poems with new, specifically commissioned poems that are particularly relevant to this special occasion - Ideas and recipes for delicious food and drink

An indispensable "how-to" guide for creating lasting memories and special ceremonies as you welcome your new Jewish daughter. When a son is born, every Jewish parent knows what ceremony will welcome him into the community and signal his part in the Jewish people--the brit milah. What to do when a girl is born? How can you welcome your new daughter in a truly Jewish way, and celebrate your joy with family and friends? In the past, parents who wanted a simchat bat (celebration of a daughter) ceremony for their new daughter often had to start from scratch. Finally, this first-of-its-kind book gives families everything they need to plan the celebration. History & Tradition--The roots of simchat bat in Jewish tradition, how it has evolved and how the past can be used to bring today's dynamic ceremonies to life. A How-to Guide--New and traditional ceremonies, complete with prayers, rituals, handouts to copy and step-by-step instructions for creating your own unique ceremony. Planning the Details--What to call your daughter's welcoming ceremony, when and where to have it, setting it up, how long it should be, how to handle the unexpected, how to prepare a program guide and more. Ideas & Information--Practical guidelines for planning the event, and special suggestions and resources for families of all constellations.

When a family gathers to welcome the arrival of a new baby and commit themselves to the child's future welfare and happiness, the occasion calls for a few well-chosen words. Now finding the perfect selection is easy, thanks to this collection of poems and prose readings. There's something here for every taste--from the Psalms of King David to the songs of Bob Dylan, from a Navajo blessing to a poem by Emily Dickinson--each one a unique expression of parents' and godparents' universal feelings of hope, pride, and joy.

"What's the name?" If you are showing, you may have heard this a time or two... or two hundred. After gender, this question almost always pops up. Naming your child is one of the most important decisions you make as a new parent. A name is like a first impression, and you want to make sure you give your child the best first shot they have. But while an important decision, it doesn't have to be a difficult one. This book will be the only baby name book you need. After reading countless baby name books for my six children, and helping countless other parents decide (or not decide) during the birth process, I've put together the ultimate baby name book organized in a way parents want a book organized. You will find: -Thousands of names organized by gender-Each name includes not only the meaning, but the origin-Charts for popular names throughout the decades, ethnicity charts, trending name charts, geographical names, antique names, biblical names, athletic names, scientific names and more! Even TRENDING NAMES FOR 2019!-Tips on how to go about picking out a name.

A universal symbol of transformation, the labyrinth was created in ancient times to represent humankind’s search for the core of divinity. Unlike a maze, which may have a confusion of tracks leading in all directions, a labyrinth has a single, winding pathway that spirals inward to the center. In The Complete Guide to Labyrinths, renowned British psychic and folklorist Cassandra Eason explores the mystery of this sacred symbol and explains how to harness its power for personal transformation, protection, healing, and enlightenment. The book features instructions for creating indoor and outdoor labyrinths; rituals to nourish fertility, confront and resolve conflict, honor grief or loss, and celebrate new beginnings; and resources for locating labyrinths around the world. Filled with personal anecdotes and a detailed exploration of labyrinth history and mythology, this complete handbook is a deeply spiritual guide to the meditative, intuitive, and creative power of this age-old symbol.