Start with what the day means to you.

A baby shower generally centres on welcoming and supporting expectant parents. A naming ceremony can centre on welcoming a child into a family or community. A dedication may be rooted in a family's faith. Those are starting points for a conversation, not rules that every family follows.

For one specific example, Humanists UK describes humanist naming ceremonies as personal, non-religious occasions. That describes its own tradition; it does not mean every naming ceremony is non-religious. Ask the people involved what the occasion means to them.

Choose the purpose before the programme

A shower

Ask the parents what support and level of involvement would feel welcome. Decide whether you want games, a shared meal or a short conversation. Make expectations about gifts clear without making attendance conditional on a gift.

A naming celebration

Decide whose voices belong in the welcome, how the child's name will be shared and whether anyone will speak, read or make a promise. There is no requirement here to follow one script.

A dedication

If faith is central, discuss the format with your family and the person leading it. Check the order of events before writing an invitation. Do not assume guests already know what participation involves.

Work through these questions together

• Who is the day for, and whose agreement do we need before setting a date?
• Do we want a ceremony, a social gathering or both?
• Which parts should be shared with everyone and which should stay within the family?
• Will guests join in person, remotely or in different groups?
• What do guests need to know about timing, access and gifts?

A short plan you can adapt

Welcome everyone, explain the purpose, share the central moment and leave room for conversation. If some guests are joining remotely, tell them when the shared part begins and who will help them connect. A clear, short programme is an option, not a claim about an ideal event length.

For example: a family might share a welcome and the meaning of a name on a call, then continue an in-person meal. Another might keep the ceremony private and send a message afterwards. The right choice is the one the people involved agree to.

Before you send an invitation

Write a plain sentence explaining the occasion. Then read it as a guest: do you know what you are invited to, when to arrive and whether you need to prepare anything? Our wording and RSVP checklist helps with the details. If family will join from abroad, use the remote-family guide.