1st Holy Communion Gift Suggestion...

[BANNISTER]

I know this is OT, but...My neighbor's son 1st communion is this weekend. We are invited to their house after the church service for a luncheon. We are not catholic. Neighbor's entire family will be there + several friends. I am not sure what is appropriate in the way of a gift. We thought about a saving bond, but I figured I would have to have his social security # to do that. We plan to give cash, but not sure how much $. Don't want to look cheap and don't want to over due it either. Help?

 

[beattyfamily]

Well, it really depends on how close you are to them.

Popular gifts are a rosary, a kid's bible. My DD's Godmother gave her the 'Family' Bible which is a big bible that the child takes to their marriage.

Also statues of Mary or a saint. A special First Communion statue, photo album or frame.

Also many do give savings bonds but you would need the SSN. If you give money, then it depends on how close you are. It could be anywhere from $25 to $50 and if you were immediate family, maybe $100 (Grandparents; aunts/uncles).

I hope this helps.

 

[micks]

My daughter just made her First Holy Communion two weeks ago and we had the same kind of party after Mass. She received a book of Saints, a rosary, 2 crosses to hang in her room, a commemorative photo album, a $20 Target gift card, a Catholic cross and about 3 other necklace type items and some other stuff I can't recall.

For a boy, I would suggest a Mass book, a saint's medal (of the saint with his name if there is one) or cash. Since you are neighbors, I would think no more than $20. I also think you can get away with just a card if you want.

 

[wacampbell]

If you know he has a special interest, i.e. baseball, soccer, or something consider getting a gift certificate or an item that represents that special interest.

I apologize, I am not Catholic, so I am not sure at what at first communion occurs. I know that we gave our neighbor girl a charm bracelet with two charms for either her communion or confirmation, not sure which on but she was at least 9.

As for the amount of money or gift certificate, I agree with the previous posts, if you are close then 50 is a great amount, if you are not terribly close then 25. Also consider if you get the gift certificate the price of an item he might want, i.e. a soccer ball, or books, so forth, and factor that into the amount you get for the certificate.

I personally think that while rosary or a Bible is very special, but he might not appreciate the item as much as something he can use on a regular basis or understand their value at the time, so you may want to consider that in your decision.

 

[Rella Bella]

Hi!
When my DS made his FHC 2 years ago he got some nice religious gifts but mostly he recieved cards with usually a $10.00 bill inside. We thought that was a very nice gift. Of course a few had a $20.00 which really made him smile!

At the end of the day he was most impressed by the total amount of money and very glad to have been remembered by so many people.

 

[hezreck]

My DD just made her 1st Communion on Sunday. I'm not Catholic but my DH is. We got her a rosary, and grandparents and godparents gave religious items. Everyone else gave money, usually about $20. If you are not Catholic and not related to the boy, I would say $20 is a good amount, or you could get a gift card. My DD got one for WalMart from an aunt and she's excited to go shopping. She liked the giftcard, because she knew I wouldn't let her spend too much of her money, it had to go in the bank. But she HAS to spend use the gift card.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I wouldn't buy any religious items (medals, saints, bibles etc.) because usually the Godparents and Grandparents get that for the child. Money is usually what we give (and get) from others. You can get a savings bond without the child's ss#. You just have to use yours. They wouldn't know your #, you just need it on the paperwork. I hope this helps.

 

[poohfan]

Considering you're a neighbor I'd say either a gift card or money for $10 - $20 depending on how close you are to the family. Put the gift in a First Holy Communion card that you can get at a local card store or the card dept at a store like Walmart or Target.

 

[cara loves the poly]

Hallmark shops have a whole section dedicated to the occasion.

 

[sassymom]

I agree with the PPs. We gave $100 to our nephew and niece for theirs but $20 to a non family member this past Saturday (sounds so bad when I write it, but I didn't bat an eye when doing it). Gift cards are a good alternative to money also. This party we just went to, out of the 40 or so people that were there there were only 3 gift bags and a basket full of cards (all including money I am assuming).

 

[veraletta]

I brought ROSARY that had PAPAL BLESSING brand new from ebay had them send it from Rome, Italy. It was really nice had card and every thing plus I gave money with it, but my nephew was really pleased with it it came from 4yougooddeals on ebay I dont know if they are selling any more stuff like that but you will find others selling stuff with blessing from the pope.

 

[AmyBennett]

My DD's FHC is this weekend, and she has already started receiving cards from family that can't attend. I have to say, that I think it depends on what part of the country you live in, to determine what is an appropriate amount to give. If you notice the previous posts, some say 25-50, while others say 10-20.

I think each part of the country, dependent upon cost of living, income, etc...is different and therefore would warrant different gifts.

I'm sure this doesn't help with your question of exactly how much to give, but I thought I would throw my 2cents in!

 

[java]

Yes I was going to say it depends on the area you are in. We went to one this past weekend on LI and gifts were all $50+(most $100!) It was my God-daughter so I bought her a diamond cross.(so cute) But my point is different areas different amounts. Where do you live? general area?

 

[mickeyfan2]

About $50.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

If you're just a neighbor I would give about $25 if you decide to do money. But do you have a Catholic Store around you? They would be very helpful in helping you with a decision. There are all kinds of cute crosses/gift sets you could get, as well as medals, books of saints, book marks, picture frames, etc. My kids got a little of everything for their first communions. They got many rosaries, and really, you can't have too many because they always end up misplacing or losing them.

Good luck!

 

[JudicialTyranny]

My son just had his First Communion this past weekend.

Most kids receive their First Communion around 2nd grade.

$20 is plenty IMHO, unless the family is high society or something like that.

My son cleared about $400! He was thrilled because he can buy the golf clubs he's been wanting. (I get somewhat uneasy/embarassed about getting money from friends and family, but that's just me...)

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I would be hesitant to buy something specifically religious from a different faith than my own, but I don't really love the idea of gift cards for children either.

So, with that in mind I'd buy one of three things:

1) a picture frame

2) something "grown up" like a watch which carries with it the unspoken message that "you're a big kid now".

3) something that relates to values, like a picture biography of someone you admire, a donation to a charity in his name (the heifer project makes a wonderful age appropriate donation), or another book with a strong message.

 

[bopper]

Go with the Savings Bond. The beautiful thing about that is that you only pay $25 for a $50 bond!