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

[momof2inPA]

I agree with whoever said "Dave and Busters" and "First Holy Communion" don't logically go together, but whatever. It is a good price for all those people.

 

[VolleyballQt07]

Um, I know for my first communion we had the ceremony at church, then came home and had some people over for a party afterwards. We spent maybe $75 for food and stuff.

My sister is making hers this year and I'm making my confirmation about 2 weeks before her communion. We are having joined parties with my brothers birthday. The communion part won't be that much.

I think its a little extreme to be spending $900 for first communion, but hey. Its your kid, your money, you decision. So you decide weather or not to spend $900. Best Wishes!

 

[Goofy22]

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.

We also give commerative gifts like a cross necklace or so. But we allso give big parties not about the monetary gifts ., about the celebration if people choose to give gifts then they do. And I grew up in South Phila around true italians and my sister n law is italian. Yes they give very elaborate parties! My party not so elaborate but elaborate enough for me! I was from the so called Irish section! LOL! ( NO Alcohol though)

 

[Aisling]

I feel that if you have the money, go for it. A First Holy Communion is a time to celebrate, and if you have many people who you'd like to share this special day with, then have a big party.

For both my children, we had catered events, for Baptism, Communion AND Confirmation. We have a large family and lots of friends. These were joyous events and we wanted to celebrate according to our lifestyle, which is to invite over 200 people.

By the way, for us, the large celebrations in no way detracted from the holiness of the sacraments. If we sat at home with a barbeque, it wouldn't have made us more relflective of the sanctity of the event. We are always very in tune with why we are celebrating, as our religion is very important to us.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

(people would faint if they saw what I did for my son's first communion).

Your money, your child, your party. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks.

I have a small house, I can't host a large family grouping. In Italian families (at least in mine) celebrating a sacrament is a big deal. It is also an excuse for family to get together. I had the hall, the DJ, the favors. We had a blast. I had the money, I paid for it. No one should tell me I should not have done it.

The party will not minimize the sacrament your child is celebrating. What is right for one family, is not right for another. Do what you feel is right.

Salut sister!
Another Italian here! Yes- we love to have parties. Life is short- why not celebrate? We had the same type of parties for our kids baptisms and 1st birthdays. (Hall, DJ etc.) Everyone had a ball and the child of honor was celebrated not forgotten in the shuffle. Yes- we give money if we are the giftgivers (as do most of the family) but we don't care if you come with nothing but good wishes. All we want is to get everyone together to celebrate. Watching my kids with their cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents, good friends, etc. was priceless. I say have the party if you can afford it and enjoy being with those you love and who love you.

 

[Daxx]

You could take your kid on a mother-son long weekend trip to WDW for a little more than that. Stay at the value resorts for a long weekend and you've got an event he'll never forget!!!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

You could take your kid on a mother-son long weekend trip to WDW for a little more than that. Stay at the value resorts for a long weekend and you've got an event he'll never forget!!!

I've answered this a couple times in this thread that this was suggested to DS and we already have a WDW trip planned for June and a DCL for November so he really wanted the party.

UPDATE

We're doing the party at Dave and Busters. As DH and I discussed, since it is a 1st Holy Communion/9th birthday party celebration, we wanted something fun for DS that we knew he would enjoy also.

The adults can stay in the party room, if they choose and chat and the kids and younger adults can play the games or whatever they want to do.

DS is very excited and I'm relieved the decision and preliminary arangements are made. Thank you to all who contributed their input!

 

[momto2girls]

Glad you got it booked! I'm sure that you will have a great time!

 

[lillygator]

Really surprised me because he absolutely adores the Steelers , especially Ben Rothlisberger. Did you see him or Hines Ward? Was it worth it? Easy to meet the players and get autographs?

Yep, we got tons of autographs including Ben's.... We went Friday and Saturday and on Sunday let DD choose where she wanted to go since both girls had been pretty good hanging out at MGM.

Have a great party!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Yep, we got tons of autographs including Ben's.... We went Friday and Saturday and on Sunday let DD choose where she wanted to go since both girls had been pretty good hanging out at MGM.

Have a great party!

Sorry OP

Not to highjack the thread. I think I saw you and your family. We saw you in the parking lot heading into the park on Saturday. And than we passed you and one of your DD's around Sounds Danagerous and you said "Go Gators to my DH".

I recognized you and your DD's from one of your Trip Reports.
Your girls are beautiful by the way.

Back to the topic.

I think it great you are doing something special for your DS 1st Communion/B-day Party.

I am still trying to figure out what to do for my DD. May 5th is around the corner.