Community Chat

[Luv2Decorate]

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?

When I made my First Holy Communion, I didn't receive any gifts. We went out for breakfast and I threw up at the restaurant. Ha!

When my kids made their First Holy Communion, We gave them each a cross for their bedroom and a scapular.

I think the grand parents gave $20. Cards from the aunts and uncles.

[lulu2]

On 5/1/2014 ktlynam said:

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.

We had sponsors for Confirmation, but not for First Communion.

[momma3gs]

A First Holy Communion is a big deal. I'm assuming the parents are having a party and, of course, if you are attending a cash gift is appropriate. Godparents usually give something more personal for the child and, more than likely, also a cash gift or bond.

My Communion was decades ago and I got gifts from everybody, as did my children when they had their celebrations. I can't imagine not giving a gift, as someone else suggested.

I forgot to add, I don't think $10 or $20 is enough, especially if there is a party. I would suggest $50 if there's a big celebration you're attending. That is what is customary in NY; I don't know about other parts of the country.

[Emma bunting]

And then of course.....there is always a ""Very Guidice First Communion"" to consider....

[chrystaltree]

The child is celebrating the day, he's not being ordained. Let his parents, grandparents, God parents give him crosses and rosaries. Others should give him a card with cash or gift card inside, even if you also are Catholic.

[pistolino]

On 5/1/2014 chrystaltree said:

The child is celebrating the day, he's not being ordained. Let his parents, grandparents, God parents give him crosses and rosaries. Others should give him a card with cash or gift card inside, even if you also are Catholic.

Nobody said he was being "ordained", but an occasion when a child will first be able to participate in communion is a big event as far as the Church is concerned.

[Marienkaefer2]

On 5/1/2014 Luv2Decorate 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?

When I made my First Holy Communion, I didn't receive any gifts. We went out for breakfast and I threw up at the restaurant. Ha!

When my kids made their First Holy Communion, We gave them each a cross for their bedroom and a scapular.

I think the grand parents gave $20. Cards from the aunts and uncles.

This was my experience...except for the throwing up! Lol

I remember wearing a white dress and little veil, white lace stockings, and I especially remember the shoes...They were white and gold sandal type shoes. I was thrilled, as getting all dressed up like this was right up my alley.

The clothes were the only "gifts" I got. I remember cards from immediate family. A small cake at home. That's it. I remember it being a very serious occasion, and everyone treating it like that.

[Emma bunting]

On 5/1/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:

On 5/1/2014 Luv2Decorate 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?

When I made my First Holy Communion, I didn't receive any gifts. We went out for breakfast and I threw up at the restaurant. Ha!

When my kids made their First Holy Communion, We gave them each a cross for their bedroom and a scapular.

I think the grand parents gave $20. Cards from the aunts and uncles.

This was my experience...except for the throwing up! Lol

I remember wearing a white dress and little veil, white lace stockings, and I especially remember the shoes...They were white and gold sandal type shoes. I was thrilled, as getting all dressed up like this was right up my alley.

The clothes were the only "gifts" I got. I remember cards from immediate family. A small cake at home. That's it.I remember it being a very serious occasion, and everyone treating it like that.

That's exactly how I remember it. Solemn in that it was a very, very important Sacrament we were about to receive. It was to be taken very seriously. And hopefully.....still is.

[Lipstickdiva]

I don't remember what year I made my first communion but it would have been in the later 70's. I did not have a big party and back then, no one I know really did.

My mom had immediate family back to our home for food and a cake.

However, many of my friends had large parties when their children made their First Communion. I always gave cash.

[chrystaltree]

On 5/1/2014 pistolino said:

On 5/1/2014 chrystaltree said:

The child is celebrating the day, he's not being ordained. Let his parents, grandparents, God parents give him crosses and rosaries. Others should give him a card with cash or gift card inside, even if you also are Catholic.

Nobody said he was being "ordained", but an occasion when a child will first be able to participate in communion is a big event as far as the Church is concerned.

....yeah....I kinda got that....LOL