First Communion Party help!

[Erin1700]

We are trying to plan our daughters party. Should we have a big party or small? (by big I mean invite 50 people. one kid in her ccd class is inviting 100).

What did you serve? We just know we dont want a tailgate party, b/c it seems so many of the parties in our family and close circle of friends turn into them!

Please tell me about your parties!!

 

[Brit17]

In our family, we usually celebrate Communions, Baptisms, Confirmations, etc., by just inviting family members, (including aunts, uncles, cousins) ... with family alone, our parties usually total over 50 people ... we either have the parties at a restaurant or catered at home ...

Just wanted to add ... I personally prefer having the party in a restaurant ... this way I don't have to worry about the house and someone else can do all the cooking and cleaning ...

 

[swald91]

Last year we had one for our son. We probably had around 50-at the house & most of the food we had catered. I did make a few salads-veggie tray etc. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day-just like our daughter's a few years back. I just wanted to have one at home b/c it was spring!!! It is nice at a restaurant-no cleaning after guests leave...but it was cheaper having it home. I'm sure whatever you choose, home/restaurant will be nice.

 

[clarabelle]

My DD is being confirmed this year and we are having family and church friends over. I am going to get a ham and have salads (pasta, potato, etc...) and dessert

 

[goofy4tink]

Just had my dd's confirmation party last Sunday. It was very similar to her first communion and christening parties. We invite the family, some very close friend who have known her since she was born, and see her often. Then, I invited some friends from church...my friends in choir and on altar guild, dd's sponsor's, and a few others. Dd did invite a couple of her friends though. And we invited our rector and his wife. They had another party to go to, so came to ours last (got to stay longer that way!!)

We had...stuffed shells/sauce/meatballs, chicken/brocolli/pasta (ordered that), finger sandwiches and small deli sandwiches (ordered those also), spinach salad, pasta salad, tossed salad, rolls. And a cake. We did have some beer and wine but not a lot. People came and went over a period of 3 or so hours.

I like having family and friends into the house for these type of occasions. It allows my dd to practice being a hostess, and how to deal with people in that kind of a setting. She had a ball, and loved the party.

I sometimes think that people that invite a ton of people are looking for more gifts. Someone actually asked me how many people I was inviting...told them about 30. They asked me why so few....how did I expect my dd to increase her savings account with only 30 people invited!!! Tacky, just incredibly tacky and rude. We invite people because we want them there to celebrate with us. Only 2 or 3 people could actually get to the confirmation service because it was so early...so having everyone else to the house for lunch was a great way to include them.

 

[okeydokey]

I can't believe people would invite more guests to get more gifts. (Not the OP but what the PP had mentioned). We invited friends and the family that could make it (just grandparents, as we live across the country from where we grew up). However, we didn't expect gifts and many people came and didn't bring a gift and that was fine. Some did give checks (I think $20 was the most), and some gave a rosary or prayer book. I guess down South these aren't gift giving occasions. We just wanted to celebrate with friends.

For my son's communion last year several of us went in together for a party at the one firends house that has a pool. We hired a lifeguard and did the meal ourselves and since we all contributed it was a great party and each family was only responsible for a part.

 

[Nancyg56]

I sometimes think that people that invite a ton of people are looking for more gifts. Someone actually asked me how many people I was inviting...told them about 30. They asked me why so few....how did I expect my dd to increase her savings account with only 30 people invited!!! Tacky, just incredibly tacky and rude. We invite people because we want them there to celebrate with us. Only 2 or 3 people could actually get to the confirmation service because it was so early...so having everyone else to the house for lunch was a great way to include them.

That is so sad . By the time you purchase the food, the decorations, send the invitations, etc there is no way this is a moneymaker What a nasty way to turn a celebration into a ticket event.

My DGD is making her First Communion this year and we figure that about 40 people will come. DD and I will compete out menu but I think I am having little sandwiches; a big salad with mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries and pecans; a marinated vegetable salad; meatballs, pasta and a chicken Parmesan. Dessert will be a cupcake tree, DGD is alergic to dairy and eggs so cakes are not a good idea for her.

 

[PatsMom]

In my family First Communion, Confirmation and Baptism means a party at the house after for close family and friends. It is a large family so you could well be talking about 50 people. We do buffet style food and prepare it ourselves.

 

[aprilgail2]

We went to two last year, one was in a restaurant and was very nice- they had a magician come and entertain the kids. Then the next day we went to one at someones house, they had a bbq and they had a bouncer for all the kids and a clown come and entertain. I preferred the first one, my daughter preferred the second LOL.

 

[mamamary]

We had comm. parties for both of my kids. My whole family is in NY so we have smaller parties. Just the immed. family comes down from NY (around 15 or so). Then some from DH family and a few close friends.

I usually cater half and cook the other half. I always get hot and cold food. Then I get a few different desserts.

We always have a nice time. Oh and it's been at our house.

 

[golfgal]

I know that in some parts of the country large parties for 1st Communion are the norm, here people pretty much invite Grandma, Grandpa, Godparents and maybe aunts and uncles if they live nearby.

If you are having 50 people, I would consider having the party at a reception hall of some type-golf course, restaurant, etc. You are going to be busy with 1st Communion things before and after the service, photos, lining up, etc. Getting food ready is not fun.

 

[kldmom2000]

Last year we had my older DD's communion party. We have big families so I ended up renting a hall for $100 and we had it catered. We were expecting about 60 people who had RSVP'd....we'd invited family and very close friends (her godparents are friends of the family). In the end, it was a nasty, raw, rainy, windy day and the turn out was about 30 people Needless to say we had a LOT of leftovers....

I think I'll plan something different for my other DD in 2 yrs.... not sure what yet. My house just can't hold all everyone and early May is sooooo unpredictable here in MA!!!!

 

[java]

We are the "family only" religous celebrations. Depending on the time of year that can mean just my dad, mom and her husband. Or my 2 SIL's their families, my sister, brother his wife kids. ect..

We range anywhere from 20-30 people. Although for my son's confirmation we only went out to dinner with his sponser. Kept it small and it was nice. I am not a fan of the free for all parites. I've been to ones held at reception halls with 100+people.

But different strokes for different folks. Do what you are comfortable with. Who do you want to spend the day with?