Baptism & Christening Chronicles

Christening Speculation – Will it be Gorm or Knud?

christenings — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:26:06 +0000

Plans are underway for the Christening in three months time of the latest members of the Danish Royal Family.

Born on January 8^th to Princess Mary and Prince Frederik, the twins are currently called Lille Pige and Lille Dreng for “little girl” and “little boy”. Their names will not be revealed until the Christening, but this hasn’t stopped the Danish public speculating on the internet.

When you read the most popular suggestions, I think you will agree, it is probably preferable to grow up as a girl in Denmark.

The most popular suggested names for the girl are: Caroline, Sophie, Louise or Charlotte ….

And for the boy? …. Well …. Here we go: Gorm, Knud, Sven and Harald

Don’t you just love those Danes.

7,000 Godchildren and 500 Christenings in one day

christenings — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:51:39 +0000

Congratulations to Orthodox Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, on successfully Christening more than 500 children on one day, whilst celebrating Epiphany at the Orthodox Holy Trinity cathedral in Tbilisi. Families with three or more children could have their youngest child Christened in this annual ceremony celebrated on the new Orthodox date of epiphany – January 19th.

Whilst this is an impressive feat, worthy of a doffing of the cap from yours truly, Ilia II attains superhero status in my eyes for one simple fact …. he has over 7,000 godchildren – respect, my man, respect.

Entente and the meaning of Marraine

christenings — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:50:12 +0000

Just returned from across The Channel where I attended my first French Christening. The lady wife’s youngest sister is married to a charming French chap and we were invited across to fly the flag and keep the British end up.

Interesting …. very interesting.

The service was a scream (in all senses of the word) with loads of mini-tadpoles getting the treatment from an over-excited flapping priest. After a while it became obvious that the priest was making it all up as he went along and the assembled parents, friends and relatives – although cooing and oh-la-la-ing as required – were definitely keen to hurry the ceremony along as quickly a possible … why waste valuable time when there’s some healthy celebratory food and drink waiting round the corner at the local restaurant.

Suffice it to say everyone was very charming (The French are either very charming or very rude – there’s nothing in between). My only faux pas was when one of the guests asked me if my wife was a meringue. And I, thinking something had been lost in translation, replied that she was watching her weight and that meringue would be the worst possible thing for her to choose. This was received a bit frostily, so I had another glass of fizz.

It was only when I returned to dear old blighty that I discovered that a Marraine is a French Godmother.

Oops.

Godchildren are not just for Christenings

christenings — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:57:11 +0000

I really do dread this time of year. Not only am I exposed to an excess of my mother-in-law, whose mild insanity becomes more pronounced each Christmas, I also suffer severe bank related stress due to the legion of godchildren I have been lumbered with over the last couple of decades … each of the little blighters seems to expect a seasonal yuletide prezzie from yours truly. I used to leave this rather onerous task to the lady wife, but she went on strike a few years ago after we received a text one Christmas which simply read; “Tx 4 prznt – nxt yr cash is fine”

With boys and girls of so many different ages to cater for, choosing the right prezzie can be a pain in the proverbial … until I hit on a cunning plan – buy them all exactly the same thing every year. Basically collect a set of something (anything) for them a piece at a time. Start a canteen of cutlery for when they leave home, collect limited edition pieces (plates, figurines, coins etc) – basically find something that you don’t need o think about year on year … the kids will hate you for it, but the parents seem to appreciate the effort.

The Christening Speech – the other godparents

christenings — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:59:04 +0000

This may sound pretty obvious, but when planning your speech or toast for your godchild don’t forget to say a few words about the other godparents. It’s all too easy to forget your partners in crime in your Christening speech.

Amazingly, although the parents of your godchild are either close friends or relatives of the mother and father, it is often the case that the godparents don’t know each other very well. It can be a bit unnerving when you turn up at the Christening to find a completely new side to your friends’ lives of which you have little knowledge. You are probably a good mate of the father from way back in the past, but you’ve seldom set eyes on the other godparents. You get introduced to the mother’s best mate from university, who you have vaguely heard of and may have seen at the wedding and the father’s brother who has been living in Dubai for the last ten years who you last talked to on the stag night.

So see if you can have a quick chat with the other godparents before the Christening and see if there is anything they want you to say. When you get to the speech you can include them more successfully and hopefully avoid one of my early Grumpy Godfather faux pas when I capped a particularly turgid Christening Speech by forgetting the other godparents’ names …

How not to make a speech for your Godchild

christenings — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:05:01 +0000

Well, the Grumpy Godfather has failed again.

How was I to know that the elegant holiday drinks party we had been invited to by some old friends was also doubling up as a birthday bash “for The Wrinkly Friends” of their 21 year old daughter … I suppose I could be forgiven for not cottoning on to that one. The idea seemed to be that the poor girl gets to have drinks with all her parents’ old cronies before high-tailing it out of there to go to the “real party” with her monosyllabic, rather scrofulous, boy friend at some local den of iniquity.

So, I’m forgiven for not realising it’s the little lady’s birthday party. What I’m not forgiven for is forgetting that I am her godfather. I turn up at the festivities exactly the same way I turned up at the Christening some twenty years earlier … without a present and without a speech prepared … and with distinctly less hair.

A warning to all future godfathers: Don’t worry about that Christening Speech, you’ve got at least 42 presents to find in the next few years and another speech to come.

A Great Christening Gift for a Girl

christenings — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:40:20 +0000

Christening gifts should last. They should be timeless. When you give a present to your goddaughter, you should give her something that in 20 years, 40 or even 60 years time she will still cherish … This can hardly be said for some of the trendy plastic gewgaws on offer today. Go traditional not trendy – you know it makes sense.

Anyway, enough of the Grumpy Godfather’s favourite rant. Here’s something I came across recently – the perfect gift for a goddaughter that can sit on her dressing table for years to come.

Christenings – choosing the right name

christenings — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:52:39 +0000

Recently published statistics from the New York City Department of Health have shown a sudden surge in the number of parents naming their sons “Jayden”. In fact the name has become so popular that it is now number two in their list.

Why?

Well, it turns out that this is the name that Britney Spears has given to her son … so it’s totally reasonable that anybody else in their right mind would also wish to Christen their own child “Jayden” as well isn’t it?

I mean, think about it, in later life a child won’t be stigmatised in any way for carrying a celeb name plucked from popular culture at the time of their birth. We don’t pre-judge kids we meet today just because they are called Wayne or Chardonnay or Kylie or even Britney now do we?

Another name you may wish to consider when Christening your son is Keanu, while for your daughter, what about Madonna, Shakira and Kiera … they really will thank you for it when they grow up.

Your Christening Speech – Just Ask

christenings — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:23:29 +0000

As a godfather or godmother, making a speech after the Christening can be daunting. We have looked at lots of different ways of approaching a Christening speech or toast, but, if you are looking for more ideas, don’t forget your godchild’s parents.

This may seem an obvious suggestion, but it is easy to overlook two of the most important people present at the service.

Firstly, it is worth talking to them before the big day to ask if there is anything they would like you to say. There may be a relative who has travelled a long way who deserves a mention or a friend who has been particularly supportive during the pregnancy who needs recognition. There may be something they would like you to say on their behalf.

Secondly, they’ve probably put a lot of effort into planning the Christening day, which is no mean feat considering all the other stresses and strains placed on young parents. So it is worth including a few words about Mum & Dad … how well they’ve done, how lucky your godchild is etc etc

Good luck with the speech!

Another Christening Toast

christenings — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:00:37 +0000

Hattie has sent me the following toast for your Christening speech. I’m not so sure about this one, but I suppose the sentiments are pretty sound:

“May you live as long as you want, and may you never want as long as you live.”

Have a look at Christening Toasts if you need some ideas