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

[snoopy]

We're east coast Italian and we did have a nice luncheon in a private room at an Italian restaurant after the Communion. We had a magician entertain. Four course meal. Wine. Small favors. We had about 40 people and it ran us about $2000. Many people I know did the same thing....mostly those with Italian heritage. Others did something more low key.

Why? Probably because we love to entertain and go to parties. We love to celebrate joyous occasions. I can think of no other reason why. But I do think it's a good reason.

We Italians do love a chance to eat and drink, don't we? Every Italian I have ever known loves their kitchen more than any other room in the house. Even me, and I don't even like to cook. I just like that its the gathering place of my past, present and future, and the home of many wonderful conversations.

Back to the OP, most of the First Communion parties we have attended have been in the home, but a few have been in restaurants like Gina described. I've never been to one that is as fancy as a wedding, but some have been more elaborate than anything I remember from my youth.

 

[JAP]

My DD's 1st communion is next month and is looking forward to it. It is a special time in the child's life and should be a spiritual experience. However, we are having lots of out of town guests, the communion is in April and I am not sure if the weather were to cooperate so I chose to have the after celebration at a local restaurant that we all enjoy. I am not having an open bar but we will be having wine. I have seen some pictures from a Bat Mitzvah that had beautiful Disney globes as centerpieces on the tables. Since we are only inviting family and close friends to the event and celebration I was thinking that the centerpieces would be nice gifts for my DD's cousins and close friends.

In my world, life is too short and we want to celebrate and remember the special times in our children's lives. The planning for me is minimal, the cost is being split between my mother and I, plus we are having fun.

I have been to communion parties at homes and at banquet facilities. Both are wonderful and the children seemed to really enjoy themselves. I think the child should be a part of the planning. Ask the child how they want to celebrate. I know that is not always realistic, but it is about them and how they feel at this special time.

 

[Nancy]

We had our parties at home and I cooked all the food. Mainly buffet style foods. I also know that some families went very high end for their kids...both boys and girls. I talked to a few Mom's that told me they spent $1,000.00 for the dresses! Yikes! All mine were bought at JC Penney, on sale, and for no more then $75.00. If they had thousand dollar communion dresses what are their wedding dresses going to cost?

 

[JAP]

We had our parties at home and I cooked all the food. Mainly buffet style foods. I also know that some families went very high end for their kids...both boys and girls. I talked to a few Mom's that told me they spent $1,000.00 for the dresses! Yikes! All mine were bought at JC Penney, on sale, and for no more then $75.00. If they had thousand dollar communion dresses what are their wedding dresses going to cost?

YIKES...DD is wearing the dress she wore as a flower girl last year. Thank goodness it still fits...I got that on sale for $110.00. The veil was also on sale for...egads $40.00! The veils are what are outragously priced!

Our whole celebration is going to be about $500.00. I budgeted this in to our life awhile ago and with my mom's help I will be able to pull off the little extra Disney globes.

Also, hubby and I are going to Vegas at the end of this month so maybe I can win a hundred or two!!!

 

[babar]

Well gee, I'm Italian and Catholic. We have a HUGE extended family, and usually no one can get together at the same time/same place. So I guess for occasions such as these, the parties tend to be larger!!

We had a giant backyard growing up, so there'd be about 100 people there. Catered and homemade. I've been to some in restaurants where the room had to be rented because there's so many people. I've never been to one that's like a mini-wedding, and I grew up in one of THE most Italian neighborhoods in Chicago.

I like that we Italians have big parties!

 

[Lisa L from MI]

I had my DDs communion last year -- rented a fancy hall, hired a DJ and a magician. I would say I spent at least $2,000 but most of my friends didnt do that. I just had alot of people to invite and love a party!!

WOW...is that my post?? My dd's was last year.....rented a fancy hall, hired a dj......but no magician..........I spent about 2000-2500 my friends also didn't do that.......We had about 100 people and I also LOVE a party!!!!!!

 

[MickiMouth]

We went to friends son's Communion party last year and it was like a mini wedding. They are Italian (as am I). The husband is very down to earth, the wife is VERY showy. I remember her complaining to me that her husband wouldn't let her get a limo and so many other families were. She may have gotten one in the end, I'm not sure. They had the party in a very nice room at a very nice restaurant with a DJ and an open bar with party favors. Even their daughter was dressed like a little bride and it wasn't her party it was her brothers. It was very extravagant. Can't wait to see what the kids weddings will be like. We had a good time and it was very nice but I'm sure it wasn't cheap. I think you should do what your comfortable with.