How much $ would you spend on a First Communion Party?

[CamColt]

Seriously, I think you should do what makes you and your family happy, and what you can afford. IMHO, I think it's a shame when people turn a religious ceremony into a "keeping up with the Jonses" event.

ITA!

Another Italian Catholic who thinks some of these parties are a bit much.
We luck out and DS's is going to be at 9:00am on a Sunday. We are taking our family out for brunch afterwards. We are only having 12, possibly 13 people(DH has no family anymore except 1 brother we dont really speak to). I estimate it will cost us about 300.00.

 

[mom2boys]

We also came back to the house & had a family meal. For both of my son's it ended up being a cookout. I had considered a restaurant for my 2nd son's (they were 1 year apart). My family does most celebrations this way. It was a good excuse for me to paint the living room.
Why not casually ask some of your son's parents what their plans are for their child's Communion party?

 

[LisaNJ25]

I am not catholic but hubby is. Hes is hispanic. We combined my sons 1st comminion and my daughter baptism. Timming was perfect. I rented an american legion. Not the fanciest of placest but it served its purpose. Normally its $350 to rent it but because my grandfather is a member it was $75.00. Catering was around $800. I had aprrox 60 people but we both have large families. I did have a DJ and open bar for beer and soda. Anything else they wanted, they paid for. We probably spent $2,000 for everything.

I am having my 3rd childs baptism in July and alo rented the same place. I am hoping to spend less than $2,000 this time. Especially since I am expecting my 4th child in Sept. I already bought the favors and I am about to order the centerpieces.

Im sitting here and realizing that I have ones child baptism July 2005, anothers approx July 2006 ( I always do them in the summer so my grandparents can be here from Florida) and that my daughters first communions will be May 2007. I am sure my sons confirmation will be around than also. OK, I am screwed

Since my younger to will be 1 year apart I will probably have them do their communion at same time.


What is really bad is how crazy people go for a Sweet 15 party. My two nieces had Sweet 15 parties that cost over $10,000 each. They were mini weddings. I already told hubby our daughters will be doing small sweet 16 parties, not bank breaker Sweet 15's. I have even though of giving them an option for a nice family vacation instead of a party. Hipefully they will pick Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When my son made his First Communion, my family was unable to come because of illness. My husband's family was unable to come because my SIL's husband (they were in the process of a divorce) suddenly died. So our son, my husband and I went out for dinner to a nice restaurant of our son's choice after Mass.

 

[dbal]

I can relate to the op. I'm not catholic- my dh is. My dsd's now in their teens both had their communions at a country club w/ a magician and probably 100 people at each. They even had a satin bag for cards. (like a wedding) That is just not me. I was kinda uncomfortable w/ the extravagance for an 8 yr old.
When my dd receives next year, we will probably celebrate w/ lunch out or maybe a family cook out.

 

[vettechick99]

Born and raised catholic and italian here. When I had my First Communion (20 years ago), the entire class (10 kids) was invited to our teacher's house and she had very nice, backyard event. There was a pony ride, food, drinks, etc. I don't know for sure if the parents contributed to it - she was pretty well-off on her own, so who knows - but can't imagine that she went too crazy on $$.

Is every child having their own party? Maybe you can have a larger get-together and split the cost (if a big party is "necessary").

 

[princesspumpkin]

Neighbors (wo are Catholic and Italian) did a app. $5000 communion party for their first. Hall, catered, etc. I know that they did the something for the 2nd and 3rd, but not sure how much $$$$. East coast, middle income neighborhood (although their income is on the upper end)

 

[llij]

DH is a cradle Catholic (born & raised) I converted when my triplets were 6. I became their CCD teacher in 2nd grade (1st communion year). I cried as I saw each child recieve their communion. I cried when the previous year I recieved my first Holy communion. We had a celebration for our 3. We invited my parents, DH parents, our siblings & families and of course all God parents. We celebrated the miracle (in our opinion) that had happened. We had buffet dinner in our home. The total cost was probably about $200. DDs dress cost $60. I made her headdress out of flower wire, beads & lace. DS wore rented suits. Neither DH or I are Italian. I was raised Protestant, I never understood why communion was such a big deal, until I took classes & finally with the Grace of God experienced it.
I am not what most people would consider a "religious" person. I try to live right & be a good example, but I do Believe. Perhaps a reminder to anyone who insists on a "party" that the exact occasion you are celebrating is pure and simple.

Sorry it's so long, but you asked.

Deesknee, that is so sweet! I teach 2nd grade CCD and I cried when they went for their First Penance and received their First Communion. It is truly wonderful to be a part of it all. My students this year will receive First Communion in May and I know that I will cry again!

When my daughter received her first Communion last year, we just had a small party at our home with family and some very dear friends. It was small, but still very special. I had never heard of some of the elaborate parties mentioned here and I've been teaching CCD for ten years. Wow!

 

[skuttle]

I've never heard of such a thing! I grew up Catholic and my mom's side of the family is Italian....great grandparents straight from Italy. I didn't know people had parties for first communion.

 

[rubyslipperlover]

You live in Connecticut? You're just as doomed to have large parties as if you were Jewish, lived on Long Island and had a child turning 13.

Seriously, I think you should do what makes you and your family happy, and what you can afford. IMHO, I think it's a shame when people turn a religious ceremony into a "keeping up with the Jonses" event.

I'm a Long Islander, I've made a bat mitzvah for one daughter and am planning a bat mitzvah for my other daughter. obviously not Catholic.

I live in an upscale community, mostly Jewish and Italian. from what I remember from my dd's friends, the first communion parties were not so lavish -- they save that for the sweet 16! most of the first communion parties around here were backyard affairs -- either catered or prepared at home -- or 30-40 people at a restaurant. no DJ or that sort of thing.

unless your MIL is paying for the party she has nothing to say about what you plan. you're required to make an appropriate celebration, but you're not required to go broke doing it. the party is to celebrate a religious milestone, you shouldn't get so wrapped up in the party that the occasion loses its religious meaning.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I am Catholic, as well as both of my kids. When each of them made Communion, we went to a local restaurant and had a nice (not huge, fancy - but nice) meal. They got to choose the restaurant since this celebration was for them. We also had a small cake for them. The focus was on them making Communion in the church, not how many presents they'd get, or how fancy I could make the party.

I did not have a huge party for them. Good luck.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Most of my kids friends had very lavish parties! In this area, it is not unusual to have large parties! We had about 75 people at each of my daughters communions and probably spent about $3000-$4000 each time. I didn't do it to keep up with the Jones', but they do attend catholic school and we emphasize the importance of the sacraments! We wanted them to have their special day!
Like the some of the other posters have said, "It all depends on what your comfotable with!"

 

[summerrluvv]

I am having my 3rd childs baptism in July and alo rented the same place. I am hoping to spend less than $2,000 this time. Especially since I am expecting my 4th child in Sept. I already bought the favors and I am about to order the centerpieces.

QUOTE]

I didn't know you were expecting! Congrats

 

[chrissyk]

Holy cow! Granted I'm not from a rich community, but I've never even heard of such a 1st Communion party. For my 1st Communion "party", we BBQ'd with the parents of another kid who made his 1st Communion the same day. I'm not going to raise my kids Catholic, but even if I was, we would not have such a huge, expensive party for a 1st Communion.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I am having my 3rd childs baptism in July and alo rented the same place. I am hoping to spend less than $2,000 this time. Especially since I am expecting my 4th child in Sept. I already bought the favors and I am about to order the centerpieces.

QUOTE]

I didn't know you were expecting! Congrats

Thanks Summer It still doesnt feel real. I am still shocked. Wait until my parents find out

 

[btass]

Thanks everyone, I feel like I could print this whole thing out and show it to my husband. He is the "Mama's boy type" and I want him to see that most people are not the extravagant party type thing like he thinks.

I agree with all of you that say the day should be about the Communion, not about the party.

If my DS thinks he is going to have huge parties all the time for events in his life, I am going to have to explain that he won't be able to go to Disney because the money was spent on a one day party. He would cry his eyes out! He would say "I don't want a big party, TAKE ME TO WDW!" That is one of the reasons I love my kid so much and one of the reasons I think I am doing a pretty good job bringing him up, he realizes the value of time spent together mostly because (and this is what he really did say to me) "I like WDW the most because I am with you all day Mommy!"

 

[Jaquie]

We're from the East coast and both my daughters had a family get together which we had at the house and in our beautiful back yard. That's why we bought a house with a yard, for special occasions like that! We had a great time!!!!

 

[elan]

My DD will make her first communion this year and we will have a party at home with the immediate family. We did the same for all our baptisms too.
That seems to be the norm around here.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

for my first communion, we had a home party...had sandwiches and that was it

 

[Crankyshank]

My Mother is half Italian. We are Catholic. I have lots and lots of Italian Catholic relatives and I've never been to a huge bash for a 1st Communion. Usually it's either a backyard bbq, a small event at a local restaurant, or a catered thing at the VFW or Sons of Italy.