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

[Christine]

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.

My DD just went to one of these on Saturday night. It was at the Ritz-Carlton, for goodness sake, and everyone in the 10th grade class (around 350 kids) plus some were invited. I can only imagine what that cost...WOW!!

 

[trulygoofy]

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..

Ya'll should post this stuff on the Budget Board. I think people would actually be passing out!
Our church has a reception after communion for the kids and their families. I was still very special, and all the kids has a great time together. To me, that sounds like a lot to spend for a 7 YO, but it sounds like a reasonable amount for the amount of people that are invited and what you are planning on doing. As one poster said, different parts of the country do different things.

 

[Pigeon]

Well, this may get me in a heap of trouble, but I wouldn't do it. I just don't agree with elaborate parties for every event in your life.

I think a First Communion should be a spiritual event and not an excuse for a big elaborate party. I would think that the reason for the party is going to get "lost in the shuffle" so to speak.

ITA.

 

[Frye7127]

I spent $700 for DH 40th birthday party at home and I had to clean up afterwards..take the deal and run!!

 

[grlpwrd]

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?

Planned trips and house being built... sounds like you can afford the party and it does come down to being a good deal. It combines a birthday and first communion. It's celebrating major milestones and simplifying (less work for you).

Go for it!

 

[trulygoofy]

I spent $700 for DH 40th birthday party at home and I had to clean up afterwards..take the deal and run!!

That's too funny. Suit...$100, Party afterwards...$900, not having to have a separate party and clean up afterwards... Priceless. I do think that this is one reason the OP posted in the first place though. You spent $700 on your DH who is 40. The OP is talking about a 7 YO. That being said, who care what anyone else thinks? I personally would not pay that much, but it is your $ and your family. If you want to have the party, have it and have a great time. I'm sure your son and guest will! As far as cheapening the event, I bet your priest would like to be invited to the party! It sounds like fun.

 

[ilovejack02]

I havent read the whole thread... im sure someone said something catty lol.
BUT my thoughts are your kid, your money. If you have it to spend and you want to do this then go for it.

Wow big communion parties huh?? LOL around here, we just have cake and punch after church. Maybe a lunch at the house but thats about it.

 

[dennis99ss]

think a First Communion should be a spiritual event and not an excuse for a big elaborate party. I would think that the reason for the party is going to get "lost in the shuffle" so to speak.

I don't think the size or expense of the party takes away from the celebration.

For my oldest ds, we arranged for a tent in the backyard, mexican food brought in, margarita machine, along with other drinks, and a cake. We invited his friends and family, as well as our friends and family, along with the family that came in for the event.

It was probably about 900 or so, maybe a little more or less. I don't really remember. The party was at night, while the First communion was at 11 or 12. So, after the mass, we hosted a lunch at an Italian restaurant for the family in attendance. If you include that cost, we spent more than the 900.

I have ds 2 making First communion next year, and we will likely do the same thing, maybe change the fare, but the same thing.

As an aside, we did a Kindergarten grad. party for both boys, just w/o the tent. It is just a celebration of a milestone, whether it be educational or spiritual.

 

[BuckNaked]

I don't think the size or expense of the party takes away from the celebration.

I agree 100%. We didn't have a big party for either child after their First Communion, mostly because the vast majority of the people that would have been invited were having parties of their own. Each child got to pick where they wanted to go for a great lunch with family and close friends that were in town for the event, and that was it.

I look at it like this - First Communion is a sacrament that is every bit as important as a marriage, and people think nothing of dropping multiple thousands on wedding receptions, and no one says that the wedding reception detracts from the spirituality of the wedding.

 

[C.Ann]

I look at it like this - First Communion is a sacrament that is every bit as important as a marriage, and people think nothing of dropping multiple thousands on wedding receptions, and no one says that the wedding reception detracts from the spirituality of the wedding.

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I mentioned the same thing on this thread - after a couple of people suggested that it detracts from the the sacrament - but didn't see any response..

 

[BuckNaked]

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I mentioned the same thing on this thread - after a couple of people suggested that it detracts from the the sacrament - but didn't see any response..

Sorry C.Ann, I didn't see your post - I hadn't read the thread for a day or two, and I just picked up that last page now. But I agree with you 100%.

 

[cybrkitn]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but I was wondering if you have any VFW halls around your area. It may be an option and might help lower the cost if you are worried about it. We have many here in my area and the Veterans rent them out for parties. People who do rent them usually will have the affair catered.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Wow I haven't checked this for a while and got alot more responses.


I posted this thread because I wanted to see what other people did for their kids, whether it be in this region or not. DH isn't real happy about dropping the money , but he whines when he has to drop any kind of money. I just wanted to see if a big party was the norm in other places.

Love the poster who had their party in a castle. I'm jealous!

We did look into renting firehalls, community centers and things like that also. Most were $100.00 or so for the rental plus the food, cake, decorations clean-up etc. It was a little cheaper like maybe $100-200.00 but I don't want to spend my DS's party making food, setting it up, serving people then cleaning up. To me its worth the extra money to not have to worry about the hassle.

I appreciate all the responses!
I will update when we decide what we're doing!

 

[Crankyshank]

If you can afford it then why not? $900 would be the cost of a hall and catering for pretty much anywhere around here so I don't see the problem.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Well, this may get me in a heap of trouble, but I wouldn't do it. I just don't agree with elaborate parties for every event in your life.

I think a First Communion should be a spiritual event and not an excuse for a big elaborate party. I would think that the reason for the party is going to get "lost in the shuffle" so to speak.

this is my feel for things as well!
Our childrens baptisms were small with immidiate family only and afterwords a small brunch. Nothing elaborate nothing fancy. Communions will be the same. It's all about the event.

 

[vickyBaby]

(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.

 

[BuckNaked]

this is my feel for things as well!
Our childrens baptisms were small with immidiate family only and afterwords a small brunch. Nothing elaborate nothing fancy. Communions will be the same. It's all about the event.

What kind of wedding reception did you have?

 

[azgal81]

If you want to why not??

 

[lillygator]

if it's not a budget breaker, go for it!

BTW - OP how did you like ESPN the weekend? We went for it as well. Got lots of autographs!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

if it's not a budget breaker, go for it!

BTW - OP how did you like ESPN the weekend? We went for it as well. Got lots of autographs!

We didn't go for ESPN weekend. I was going to take DS to WDW instead of the 1st Communion party. But since we have 2 trips to WDW on the horizon and he hasn't had a big party for a while he opted for the party.

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?

He did mention it a couple times this weekend, "you know mom, we'd be in Disney World right now". I think he kind of regretted it after the fact, but hey thats all the more reason we want to give him a nice party.