Hello Moms,
My son was invited to his friend's family 1st Communion party. What is appropiate for a gift and is one necessary?
We are coin collectors so we give a special coin. Depending on the event....maybe a special Morgan Silver Dollar or a Proof Set for the year of birth.
I'd go with money. We take the money our kids get for baptisms and communions and put it in their bank accounts for when they are older.
Is it a boy? Or a girl? For a girl, if you are close, I would say a nice little charm for a charm bracelet. But if it is a boy or an older child then I would say you should go with a book of some sort. I wouldn't give a gift to an infant.
Yes, a gift is necessary. It is pretty similar to a baptism or confirmation. A money card would probably be the easiest. You can get a Communion card from any store. $20-25 dollars is appropriate if he is going by himself. If the family is going, it should be more. I am sure there will be catered food, cake, etc. The gift should cover the cost of food and a little more. Hope he has a wonderful time.
My opinion, you don't have to offer a gift, but if you should, there are appropriate items inside the churches store.
Cash is an all around good gift, many parents make their kids stash at least some of it in the bank for college, or if you are religous some nice plack or prayer card commemerating the day. Gift cards are ok too. It is just the thought that counts not the amount. I don't know the family so I can't say if they would be upset if you showed up empty handed. I also don't know your financial situation so it's hard to say. I would not be offended if guests didn't bring anything but a card but that is just me.
Is it a boy or girl?
EE savings bonds are popular in our family for baptismal and communion gifts. These bonds are currently earning a fixed rate of 1.20% through 4-30-10. Not a great rate but better than alot of products right now. You can buy traditional paper bonds via your local financial institution or via www.treasurydirect.gov. Minimum purchase is $25.00. Treasury Direct works great if the gift recipent has a Treasury Direct account and you know this account number at the time of purchase. Otherwise, stick with a traditional bond.
When all else fails, cash is KING!
You might want to check the website www.leafletonline.com (a huge Catholic bookstore in MN) for some ideas. There are some cute little memorabilia items, rosaries, etc., but what I would most recommend is a Children's Bible. They are very vividly illustrated and truncated to make them much more like a story for the children to read. You might also want to consider a devotional book, like a children's prayer book, or a book about a saint (especially if the child was named after some particular saint.) Books on the lives of the saints are very inspirational for children, as they provide more models of good behavior (especially in situations where the saint is a martyr--think early Christians martyred by the Romans.)
he's probably going to be getting a lot of religious things from family, rosaries, etc, so I would agree that a savings bond, or a gift certificate would be nice. There are also really cute frames and things for this, if you find a Catholic store, or even one online.
All I remember from my 1st communion party was that I got to have an ice cream cake, so I'm not really sure a gift is even necessary, maybe just a nice card.
How old is your son? Are you going also? If this is a family friend (6 or 7 years old) then a card and something small. a bible, photo frame etc would be appropriate. If your son is an adult and being invited the a family friends childs 1st communion then something along the lines of a savings bond / cash etc. But a child invited to a child's 1st communion is not the norm so that is grey area.
A gift is NOT necessary... just a nice congratulations/communion card.
My daughter gave a devotional book to her friend for First Communion. They have many different ones, but the ones specifically for boys/girls are nice.
Precious Moments has some really great figurines that are for special occassions. Look at Hallmark.com or google Precious Moments figurines. My daughter got one at her step-parent adoption party from Grandma when she was 4 and still loves it 5 years later!
