Community Chat

[dmod nj]

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.

[Emma bunting]

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.

[lulu2]

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.

[Love my grandkids]

Cash or a gift card is appropriate and appreciated.

[faeriemoon]

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.

[pistolino]

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?

[faeriemoon]

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....

[Elstongunn]

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.

[RoughDraft]

An appropriate card with money.

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

[Krimpette]

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.