The
first Sunday of the month. It must be Storytelling Sunday 3 – a meme
started by Sian. This year she has suggested we share a precious, either
with just a photo, a story or a mix of both. Sian’s suggestion for this
month was something that reminded us of someone, or was given in love.
Well, I had already decided to tell the story of the Christening robe,
which almost fits in with this!
When I had Ben, 24 years ago on the 12th August, Hugh’s Mum gave me this Christening robe.
It
had belonged to the de St.Paer side of the family and had been made for Great Aunt Louise (see last month's story about her bracelet!). I was thrilled – it was so pretty, had the family
connection and was old too! Victorian. I don’t know who made it, or
where it came from originally, but I loved it.
Fast
forward to November 1989 when we had the Christening arranged for.
Slight problem. Ben had grown! Victorian’s were usually Christened
before three months because of the high mortality rate and they were
also smaller babies! Ben was far too big for it! I was so
disappointed! I had really wanted him to wear some family history. It
was not to be. I had to make a hurried trip to Debenhams to buy a new,
larger, Christening robe. I found one which I liked and it fitted. Here
is Ben wearing it – he doesn’t look too impressed with the matching
bonnet!
However,
I still wanted the de St.Paer robe to be a part of the celebrations, so
I came up with the idea of using it as a centrepiece over the table.
And
I loved it there! I was able to tell everyone the story, and Hugh’s
parents were thrilled that it was still a part of the family and the
celebration.
When Penny came along we had the same problem, but she did fit the new robe and so we did the same again.
I
am hoping that when I have grandchildren that they will be Christened
in the robe I bought, which I shall pass down, along with the de St.Paer
robe. You never know, I might have tiny grandchildren who fit the
heirloom!
Thanks for reading about my precious and if you would like to read more stories about our precious things then hop on over to Sian’s blog.
22 comments:
A very beautiful family heirloom and your idea of displaying it so beautifully is genius. We too had the same size problem with ours and I wish I had had your inspiration :).
Great story and such a great idea to a problem.
It's such a beautiful robe! I do love how you used it..what a wonderful way to keep it precious. Safer, too, probably. You never now who you might have inspired now...
Oh what a lovely way of celebrating the family connection - with both the old and new heirlooms!
I do hope you have now created a new tradition to be continued down the years, such a lovely idea to display a beautiful heirloom.
x
Yes in my family we hace an old parachute silk robe which I wore when I was christened but baby sister was too big when she got done so my mum had a dress made for her.
Jo xxx
I love the story behind this exquisite Christening gown. I bet the needlework is wonderful. How clever of you to display it for all to see. Very precious indeed.
I love how you incorporated the heirloom gown in your celebrations x
many thanks for sharing Becky x
I love that you still included the original gown in each of your celebrations - fantastic idea! Enjoyed your story today!
How lovely to still be able to include the gown.
This is the problem our babies just keep getting bigger!
There were no christening robes to be handed down here, but I always thought that was the best tradition! Your idea to display it for the party was brilliant!
Oh this is gorgeous, what an inspired way to have it at the christenings. You have given me an idea for a story of my own christening gown... thank you so much
The robe is so beautiful, and I love how you managed to still have it as part of the Christening celebration, even if your children weren't wearing it! Thanks for sharing.
This is a really lovely story and the robe looks perfect hung up as a centrepiece x
What a beautiful gown and an inspired way to include it in your celebrations!
I love this post, Becky! Those photos of you with your babies are so adorable, and I love the way you were still able to include the heirloom Christening gown into the celebrations. Perfect precious for this month!
Loved this! You now have two christening robes to pass down to your children, each with their individual, yet related stories. It will be interesting to see what happens with the next generation.
A lovely story . . . and what a great solution to your "big baby" problem.
My daughter, Clara, and I were both christened in the same gown.
Rinda
What a great idea to use it as a decoration. I am glad that you were still able to entwine that part of your family history into the celebration.
Becky, I'm so sorry I'm so late reading this but what a treasure it was to read. What a lovely gown and what a great idea you had to make it part of the Christening festivities for both of your children.
What a creative idea! Amazing!
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