We had a naming ceremony for Gabrielle's first birthday - totally non-religious and just had close friends and family at home.  We wrote our own speech and read it ourselves, got the G-Grandparents, grandparents and "god mothers" to write some words of wisdom for us to put in her memory box (which we will give her when she is 21) - because in reality her great grandparents are 80-something now and not likely to be here for her 21st, but I wanted to give them the opportunity to share some of their knowledge or special thoughts with her. 

I made up some fancy note paper on the computer for them to write their messages on and also made a certificate for my partner and I to sign as her parents and the god mothers to sign as her godmothers - kind of like a wedding certificate.   We chose to have god mothers (mentors really) and one is my best friend and the other is my sister in law.  We chose people that make a real special effort to come and spend time with Gabrielle and to give her someone she would feel comfortable talking to if she couldn't talk to us.

Oh - I also circulated a 'book of wishes' for everyone that was there to put a message in.  I just got a pretty autograph book from Whitcoulls and people wrote special things in that, including who was who in Hollywood on her first birthday in 2005 etc.  Really cool to look back on.  Shame about the skanky sister-in-law-to-be ruining everying and using Gabrielle's birthday to announce her engagement to my partners brother and asking my MIL to "step outside", causing a massive scene and me kicking her out - whole other story.  It was pretty special apart from that - their first birthdays always are.  Also need to give ourselves a pat on the back for breaking through the first year barrier!