first holy communion ?

[Liberty Belle]

Question for you guys. What did you get your son when he made his first holy communion. I don't know what to get him. When my oldest daughter made hers a few years ago we got her a chain and cross and we had a small party for her.

My son hasn't chosen to yet (and my oldest didn't and likely won't, at least for a long time), but when my son's best friend did, we got him a nice compass (so he'd never lose his way).

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I run a small parish gift store.

Gifts for children normally include a "real" bible, medals, rosary, books on saints, or a First Communion missal.

If you want more ideas, let me know.

 

[RedAngie]

A box of crackers and a bottle of grape juice so he can relive the moment again and again. The gift that keeps giving...

As kids we would sometimes play Mass with Necco wafers and grape flavored Hi-C for Communion. Girls were allowed to be the priest.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

What about a cross tie tack? He could use it for a lifetime.

 

[Domo]

I got a crucifix for my desk, a precious pen and some money tucked away in a secure bank account that I couldn't access until a certain age.

 

[SnowWhite85]

We got my DS his own personal Bible & Rosary. He also got lots of cash

I think the personal Bible with a personalized message inside from you is a fantastic idea.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Really? It's a sacrament, and those are usually celebrated big here, with most giving checks or bonds. Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Marriage. We don't have a lot of local family, so we usually just go out to a restaurant, but we are not the norm. First Communion season is almost here!

OP, I gave my kids namesake Saint medals. Ds17 didn't wear it then, but wears it now.

Really?

I know it's a sacrament. I went to Catholic schools my whole life.

I am taken aback that some families/kids receive cash gifts for making a sacrament. When I made mine, my Godmother gave me a small engraved picture frame with a cross on one side and my name/date, and we took a picture of her and I that day to put into it. It was truly a gift from the heart. I still have it. She passed away 15 years ago. It's always on my dresser.

My younger cousin (by about a year or two) had a big party, etc. I'm sure people probably gave gifts, although I was too young to notice or care at the time. From what I remember, most of the day was about her dress and hair, not about a sacred sacrament. But whatever. She went to catechism for the year and never went back. I'm sure she liked getting cash for doing it.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with it for anyone else - as a matter of fact, I said to each their own. We don't do it, but now I know others do. No need to get defensive.

 

[shoney]

I am not religious so my kids never made Communion, however most family and friends have. The parents throw the big party and the friends/family write the checks.

 

[Disney Doll]

I usually give a crucifix. But not a babyish one. One they could use for a lifetime and hang in their home when they're an adult.

If they're Irish, I make it a Celtic cross.

 

[Sydney2977]

My boys both got crucifixes and a Bible from us. We are a military family and most others in the parish didn't have family close by either, so we did a class party/reception afterwards. I don't remember if our families sent anything- I'm sure my mom probably did (she sends something for every holiday & occasion imaginable and we joke that she must have stock in Hallmark).

For Confirmation (1 in 8th grade, 1 in 9th) we got them each a nice silver chain and cross engraved with their name on the back. They are at the age where they will wear in now, especially to church or nicer occasions. Same thing with the party for this- the church put one on.

 

[Nancy]

Kids should get presents for making their communion?

Not in my house. So, I guess, nothing. I did take him to get a haircut the day before, though, and bought him a new pair of dress pants since he had outgrown his. That's it. It never occurred to me that making your communion was a gifting occassion.

To each their own. I'm sure everyone does it differently. Nothing wrong with it.

That was kind of my reaction too. I had girls, they got the dress, veil, and shoes. Relatives gave gifts but not us.

 

[MickeySP]

I grew up in a very Catholic area, West Roxbury MA. One side Irish Catholic, the other Italian. Just like some Catholic Festivals money gifts were common.

If you never been to a festival try one in Boston's Nortn End or NYC.

 

[footballmouse]

My kid's godparents gave my kids their rosary and prayer book. I gave them a big gift like a bike or the other one wanted a good baseball bat.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We did a big party for each of our 2 oldest and our daughter got a diamond cross and earrings, while our son got a gold cross (he requested gold and chose the one he wanted) and now our youngest son makes his this year and we will do a big party once again and then he can choose his cross as well.

 

[mjkacmom]

Really?

I know it's a sacrament. I went to Catholic schools my whole life.

I am taken aback that some families/kids receive cash gifts for making a sacrament. When I made mine, my Godmother gave me a small engraved picture frame with a cross on one side and my name/date, and we took a picture of her and I that day to put into it. It was truly a gift from the heart. I still have it. She passed away 15 years ago. It's always on my dresser.

My younger cousin (by about a year or two) had a big party, etc. I'm sure people probably gave gifts, although I was too young to notice or care at the time. From what I remember, most of the day was about her dress and hair, not about a sacred sacrament. But whatever. She went to catechism for the year and never went back. I'm sure she liked getting cash for doing it.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with it for anyone else - as a matter of fact, I said to each their own. We don't do it, but now I know others do. No need to get defensive.

I guess I'm surprised that you are surprised, in this day and age, that sacraments are big celebrations in many areas.

 

[mjkacmom]

I grew up in a very Catholic area, West Roxbury MA. One side Irish Catholic, the other Italian. Just like some Catholic Festivals money gifts were common.

If you never been to a festival try one in Boston's Nortn End or NYC.

I live in a very Catholoc area, 45% are of Italian decent, 20% Irish decent. Our local churches have feasts every year.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I did not think my rough and tumble boy would want to wear a traditional chain and cross, it's not him. So I designed a mini dog tag/ball chain necklace with a seller on Etsy that I'd worked with before. It had a single mini dog tag with his first name on it, rough edges, and a tiny cross that was a little more rustic and masculine.

This is the seller, and she has these mini dog tags and also a mini rectangular pendant that would work nicely too.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/113233...ef=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=dog+tag

And we used the cross seen in this picture.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105012412/personalized-mothers-necklace-hand?ref=shop_home_active_4

With a ball chain.

My ds loves it. He doesn't wear it daily, but sometimes for special occasions, holidays, etc.

 

[bsblady01]

Guys thanks for all the ideas I am going to check out a few websites this weekend and also there is a store about an hour from our house that we are going to check . And for people saying they don't give gifts or have a party . I had one when I am made mine years ago and so did everyone else in my family so this is not something new.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

As far as it being a big celebration, it always has been. I am 35 and had a big party when I made mine and also received the normal rosary, bible, crucifix and even a holy water font (all of which I now have in my home) but I also got A LOT of money. My parents had parties for everything and we have a lot of relatives, even if they each only gave 5.00, I still did pretty well. I now am married to an Italian and I am Mexican, so our families are huge and we invite friends as well as the kids inviting their own friends to the parties. First Communion is a HUGE deal to us as it is the start of something BIG! Baptism is too, but at the First Communion stage, they can really start understanding more and learning more and loving it all so much more.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

As far as it being a big celebration, it always has been. I am 35 and had a big party when I made mine and also received the normal rosary, bible, crucifix and even a holy water font (all of which I now have in my home) but I also got A LOT of money.

I am 50 and I have pictures of my party.

Not a big family. Lots of friends.