Am I nuts for wanting to spend $900.00 on DS's 1st Communion Party?**UPDATE POST 87*

[LindsayDunn228]

Honestly? It seems sacrilegious to me. Holy Communion is blessed event, and I think spending nearly a grand on a party (esp. at Dave and Buster's) cheapens it.

I agree.

 

[C.Ann]

Honestly? It seems sacrilegious to me. Holy Communion is blessed event, and I think spending nearly a grand on a party (esp. at Dave and Buster's) cheapens it.

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A church wedding is a blessed event too.. Should there be no reception afterwords?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Honestly? It seems sacrilegious to me. Holy Communion is blessed event, and I think spending nearly a grand on a party (esp. at Dave and Buster's) cheapens it.

I am not trying to be rude so please don't take it that way- but how is celebrating their accomplishment cheapening it? The church even tells us to celebrate. We are very proud of when our kids make their sacraments and want to share it with everyone. I wouldn't expect my child to come home and sit quietly reflecting on the day. This is no different than a wedding. Why have anyone else there at all? It really is between the bride and groom. I really do apologize because I know it sounds rude what I am saying but that is not the tone that I am saying it in so please understand that.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

We had both DD's communions at a hall with 100 people (for 6 hours), dj, open bar and buffet. It was like a wedding kinda...costed about 1500 dollars. It was just nice to get our whole family (elderly aunts and uncles) together that normally don't see eachother often.

DD is going to be 16 in 2 years...I had a big sweet sixteen party but not sure if they do that still...if not, our next big thing will be HS graduation.

 

[chyam]

I would take that money and put it towards an extra vacation........that is a lot of money to spend for one night of food and conversation..

 

[ksjayhawks]

I wouldn't spend the $900 myself. I would have something at home in the backyard--simple bbq or catered by a grocery store, get main dish from a restaurant, etc.--as it would be a lot cheaper. I would have it all ready to go the day before except for the main entree, But, that is me.

People have parties around here, but usually in their homes and not nearly as elaborate as some of you have described. Must be the area.

If you do it at D & B's then I think you should have power cards for the kids and $10 won't go very far or last them very long! Plus someone will have to go and supervise the kids.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I would take that money and put it towards an extra vacation........that is a lot of money to spend for one night of food and conversation..

Thanks for all the replies. More welcome!

To answer some questions, I did ask DS if he wanted a vacation instead of a party. Actually we were going to go to WDW for ESPN weekend, this weekend. But we have a WDW trip planned for June and a DCL in November so he really wants the party instead.

I would probably buy a $10.00 power card for the 2 kids, then of course for my kids but then the adults would be on their own.

And I also don't see how having a 1st Holy Communion party/9th birthday party for DS at Dave and Busters is cheapening the event. It is a celebration. So would it be better to rent a plain hall, have it catered with a DJ and an open bar. (no offense to anyone who did this) ? Or have a quiet dinner at a restaurant? This is a big event in a Catholic childs life, a celebration is a celebration, different people choose different ways to celebrate.

Anyone else?

 

[NotUrsula]

Yikes, that's a huge event for a 1st Communion. Not like that where I live now or where I grew up at all (both majority Catholic communities.)

Here there is a reception for the children and their families in the parish hall after Mass; they serve cake and punch. Some families (especially the Italian ones it seems) give the children monetary gifts, but we don't have that tradition. We gave DS a nice silver cross and chain to commemorate the event.

Honestly, his favorite part of the day was getting home and getting out of the suit and tie.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I wouldn't spend the $900 myself. I would have something at home in the backyard--simple bbq or catered by a grocery store, get main dish from a restaurant, etc.--as it would be a lot cheaper. I would have it all ready to go the day before except for the main entree, But, that is me.

People have parties around here, but usually in their homes and not nearly as elaborate as some of you have described. Must be the area.

If you do it at D & B's then I think you should have power cards for the kids and $10 won't go very far or last them very long! Plus someone will have to go and supervise the kids.

I can't have the party at the home we are living in. We are having a house built and are currently living with my mom and her boyfriend in BF's house. So I really would like to not have the added stress of a bunch of people running around in a house thats not mine.

I understand $10.00 won't last the kids all night but I can't give them each a $50.00 card. They will be able to play about 10-12 games each with that game card, then I feel if the parents want to buy them more so be it. We were at D&B for a birthday party last year and didn't get a card at all, so I think $10.00 would be good.

 

[C.Ann]

LOL.. I think this poster needs to put in capital letters:

THIS IS A COMBINATION BIRTHDAY PARTY AND COMMUNION CELEBRATION!!

Many people who post here on the DIS think nothing of dropping $450 on a child's birthday party for 10 kids or less.. So $450 for the BD portion and $450for the communion celebration (for almost 40 people) - considering she doesn't have the option of having it in her parents home where they are currently living - doesn't sound over the top when compared to the various amounts that many people here on the DIS spend for these events individually..

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

LOL.. I think this poster needs to put in capital letters:

THIS IS A COMBINATION BIRTHDAY PARTY AND COMMUNION CELEBRATION!!

Many people who post here on the DIS think nothing of dropping $450 on a child's birthday party for 10 kids or less.. So $450 for the BD portion and $450for the communion celebration (for almost 40 people) - considering she doesn't have the option of having it in her parents home where they are currently living - doesn't sound over the top when compared to the various amounts that many people here on the DIS spend for these events individually..

Thanks!

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks!

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You're welcome.. I also think $10 per card is fine..

 

[sugarpie]

What exactly is Dave & Buster's???

I'm guessing something like Chuck E. Cheese, but I'm curious.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

What exactly is Dave & Buster's???

I'm guessing something like Chuck E. Cheese, but I'm curious.

You never been, what a deprived girl!

Think Chuck E Cheese but think more adult oriented games. Its a full-service restaurant bar type place. Its on the higher end not kiddy like Chuck E Cheese. You see alot of adults there on the weekend nights but more kids and families during the day.

They have private rooms for parties and the food is good, IMOP! When I say adult oriented, its still kid friendly but the place serves alcohol, but heck so does our local Chuck E Cheese.

 

[sugarpie]

Oh, they serve alcohol! Then go for it.

Then again, they serve alcohol at Chuck E. Cheese & that place is worse than a trip to the dentist.

 

[momto2girls]

I think it sounds great! I would totally do that. $900 doesn't seem like too much to me at all. Have a great time!

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

The only way I would think it is too much money is if you couldn't afford it. You should do whatever you want to do. I don't think people should have to justify the way they spend their own money for entertainment. Unless this would place a financial burden on your family, what difference does it make to other people if you spend $100 or $1000 on something that is important to you?

It sounds like a wonderful party. I'm sure everyone will have a great time.
Oh yeah, can I come?

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

It sounds like a wonderful party. I'm sure everyone will have a great time.
Oh yeah, can I come?

Sure come on up.

Its May 6th.

 

[aprilgail2]

DD is going to be 16 in 2 years...I had a big sweet sixteen party but not sure if they do that still...if not, our next big thing will be HS graduation.

LOL-sweet sixteens are hugh and out of hand now, they are done here in catering halls, with a dj, photographer and sometimes videographer-its on par with a wedding! I know a lot of people are getting away from that by taking their daughter and 2 friends or so on a cruise or something like that instead of having the parties.

 

[SandraVB79]

My parents paid about 2000 USD for my first communion party, and that was many moons ago. And about 25 invited. (OK, I admit, it was at a restaurant in a castle, but still). And I received many gifts The kids that did their communion somehow "registered", we had a list with all kinds of things we would have liked as gifts, and people then bought off that list (and so we were sure we wouldn't receive 3 times the same item)

I still have many things I received for First Communion (and Confirmation).


If you have the money for it, just throw the party.

Not directly to you OP, but sometimes I wonder why people always relate on these message boards to make decisions
In this case: if they give such parties for a first Communion in the region you live, then do so. Why would you care what the habbits are in some state far away from where you live?