Not sure how to plan a name day kids party? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! If you’re part of the millions of families who celebrate their children’s name day, it makes sense why you might want to throw a kids party for it.
What is a name day?
A name day is a date each year when you can celebrate your given name. Previously, this would have been a result of Christianity but now it’s largely just a cultural tradition. It’s celebrated in countries like Poland, Romania, Hungary, Latvia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden and more. According to NameDayCalendar, “The celebration of name days [differs] greatly between countries. [Many countries consider] name days as significant as their birthdays, while there are some that still barely recognize the tradition. With those countries that still celebrate it, each year's calendar is generally printed with the names to be celebrated.”
Do we have name days in the UK?
Not really. When a child is born, some families in the UK will have a naming ceremony, but that’s a little different as it’s a one-off event. A name day is an annual celebration, more similar to a birthday.
Why you might want to have a name day party in the UK
If your family celebrates name days; but you live in the UK where it’s not a very common tradition, it’s a great idea to have a party to share this celebration with your child’s friends. You can educate them on where the tradition has come from and share your cultural heritage a bit. (It’s also a great excuse to make some traditional food items or enjoy a slice of cake!)
How to plan a name day kids party in the UK
- Arrange a convenient venue like a park or kid's play space & get decorations
- Book your entertainers or plan some games that tie into the cultural significance of a name day
- Make some traditional food yourself or arrange catering from a local restaurant
- Save our pop playlist or make your own with a mix of current and traditional songs
- Invite your guests via post, email or text and include a rough timeline & itinerary
- Share a brief explanation of what a name day is and who your child is named after
- Invite them to ask you questions about the celebration, food etc
- Create some bags with small gifts or traditional sweets for them to take home
Tips on sharing culture with others
A great way to share your culture with others; if it’s different from theirs, is to start small. A kids party is a fun way to introduce your child’s friends to another language, food, tradition and maybe even clothing. Just remember to be curious, respectful and understanding. The other children you invite might have questions and you’ll want to be patient with these. Coming together over great food and music is an excellent way to begin to understand and appreciate the similarities and differences of other cultures. And it will encourage them to get you more involved in their culture as well!
Hopefully, you’re feeling more confident about planning a name day kids party this year. Need even more top-tier party-planning tips? Have a look at this blog post for more.
