topic Re: First Communion question in Community Chat

First Communion question

TheVillager — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:52:03 GMT

What is an appropriate gift to give to a 8 yr old boy for his first Communion? We are not Catholic so uncertain.

Re: First Communion question

brii — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:53:49 GMT

Money is my first choice for such occasions...

Re: First Communion question

straykatz — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:04:25 GMT

Gift card or wall cross

Re: First Communion question

Tootie15 — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:06:05 GMT

What about a cross or a bible. If you have a Catholic Store in your area, you may find something in there.

Re: First Communion question

CelticCrafter — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:10:00 GMT

Don't get a cross or a bible because he is going to get more than one.

I would do a gift card or cash.

Re: First Communion question

Emma bunting — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:20:09 GMT

If you are not Catholic, then I wouldn't give a religious gift. There are parents and grandparents for that. Money is always appreciated and if the parents are smart, will sock it all away for their child's education.

Re: First Communion question

adelle38 — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:39:15 GMT

Things have changed if First Communion is considered yet another gift getting occasion. When I made my first Communion, gifts were only given by godparents and close relatives and they were all religious gifts such as rosaries, medals and books. Is there a reason you think you need to give this child a gift?

Re: First Communion question

lulu2 — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:41:22 GMT

On 5/1/2014 CelticCrafter said:
Don't get a cross or a bible because he is going to get more than one.

I would do a gift card or cash.

I agree. Last May our twin Grands made their First Communion. Between the 2 of them, they received 28 crosses. (ranging from necklaces to wall adornments)

Re: First Communion question

faeriemoon — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:41:35 GMT

On 5/1/2014 adelle38 said:
Things have changed if First Communion is considered yet another gift getting occasion. When I made my first Communion, gifts were only given by godparents and close relatives and they were all religious gifts such as rosaries, medals and books. Is there a reason you think you need to give this child a gift?

First Communion has always been a gift giving occasion.

Re: First Communion question

dmod nj — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:47:50 GMT

On 5/1/2014 faeriemoon said:
On 5/1/2014 adelle38 said:
Things have changed if First Communion is considered yet another gift getting occasion. When I made my first Communion, gifts were only given by godparents and close relatives and they were all religious gifts such as rosaries, medals and books. Is there a reason you think you need to give this child a gift?

First Communion has always been a gift giving occasion.

Hi fairemoon and adelle,

I've always known it to be a gift giving occasion.

When my son made his, many people, even those not invited to our lunch celebration, gave him gifts.

Re: First Communion question

dmod nj — Thu, 01 May 2014 17:48:34 GMT

On 5/1/2014 Emma bunting said:
If you are not Catholic, then I wouldn't give a religious gift. There are parents and grandparents for that. Money is always appreciated and if the parents are smart, will sock it all away for their child's education.

ITA. That is what we did for our son.

Re: First Communion question

Emma bunting — Thu, 01 May 2014 18:01:32 GMT

On 5/1/2014 adelle38 said:
Things have changed if First Communion is considered yet another gift getting occasion. When I made my first Communion, gifts were only given by godparents and close relatives and they were all religious gifts such as rosaries, medals and books. Is there a reason you think you need to give this child a gift?

Me too....but back in the stone age, only close family and relatives came to one's First Communion. Nowadays it has turned into another big reason to throw a lavish party. My sons made their First Communion 15 or so years ago and people were having big parties even back then. Ours was simple and family only.

Re: First Communion question

lulu2 — Thu, 01 May 2014 18:11:36 GMT

I made my First Communion in 1958. Even back then it was a celebration with relatives attending a party after the ceremony. I still have a box with all the cards I received. Most came with money, $1, $2 (bills were very special) or $5 from my Godfather and paternal grandparents.

When our Grands made theirs last year, most cards had $10 and a few $20. 7 or 8 year olds are thrilled with $10.

Re: First Communion question

Love my grandkids — Thu, 01 May 2014 18:17:39 GMT

Cash or a gift card is appropriate and appreciated.

Re: First Communion question

faeriemoon — Thu, 01 May 2014 18:34:21 GMT

On 5/1/2014 lulu2 said:
I made my First Communion in 1958. Even back then it was a celebration with relatives attending a party after the ceremony. I still have a box with all the cards I received. Most came with money, $1, $2 (bills were very special) or $5 from my Godfather and paternal grandparents.

When our Grands made theirs last year, most cards had $10 and a few $20. 7 or 8 year olds are thrilled with $10.

And I made mine in 1967 and we had a small party with just relatives. I got money gifts and religious gifts (a silver charm bracelet with a First Communion charm was all the rage at the time.) Even neighbors who were not invited to the party sent small money gifts.

Don't know why some are so surprised by the gift aspect of this event.

Re: First Communion question

pistolino — Thu, 01 May 2014 18:46:57 GMT

On 5/1/2014 adelle38 said:
Things have changed if First Communion is considered yet another gift getting occasion. When I made my first Communion, gifts were only given by godparents and close relatives and they were all religious gifts such as rosaries, medals and books. Is there a reason you think you need to give this child a gift?

Mine was in 1969 and I was given gifts, was yours in the 1800s?

Re: First Communion question

faeriemoon — Thu, 01 May 2014 18:48:04 GMT

On 5/1/2014 pistolino said:
On 5/1/2014 adelle38 said:
Things have changed if First Communion is considered yet another gift getting occasion. When I made my first Communion, gifts were only given by godparents and close relatives and they were all religious gifts such as rosaries, medals and books. Is there a reason you think you need to give this child a gift?

Mine was in 1969 and I was given gifts, was yours in the 1800s?

OMG, I just LOLed. Snort....

Re: First Communion question

Elstongunn — Thu, 01 May 2014 19:26:12 GMT

I can't speak for all Holy Communion activities, but ours was very small with only immediate family and sponsors. Our gifts were limited to a Bible, rosaries, blessed medals, or prayer cards. All were blessed ahead of time, of course. No parties afterwards or lunches, etc. Maybe a cake at home. But we didn't have a lot of money for extras, so maybe others in that time period had more.

A card with money sounds like a good suggestion if you aren't Catholic.

Re: First Communion question

RoughDraft — Thu, 01 May 2014 19:33:22 GMT

An appropriate card with money.

I've also seen the same with Bat/Bar Mitzvahs.

Re: First Communion question

Krimpette — Thu, 01 May 2014 19:35:12 GMT

One of my grand-nephews is receiving this weekend. As close as I am to him and his family, I opted for money also. My niece is having a party for him so I figured he'd get enough religious articles. I didn't want to duplicate.