Confirmation present?

megela

My daughter has been invited to her 10year old friends confirmation.

She wants to go, we're not really religous so I'm assuming this is similar to a christening for an older child?

I'm happy to take her but my question is should she take a present? (as we would to a christening)

If so what sort of thing would be suitable?

I've not had experience of this before so any advice welcome!

Thank you.

Nicki

I gave a book token when faced with this conundrum. Apparently if it is a Catholic first communion/confirmation there is sometimes competition between the kids to see who nets the most. I didn't feel comfortable handing over cold hard cash, but a token which could have been used for a religious book if wanted, seemed a compromise.

LittleMax

Yes, a card and a gift are usual. If you google confirmation gift you will get some ideas. If you have a local christian bookshop they will have some cards and small gifts. As it is only a friend it does not need to be an expensive gift, just a small token perhaps a bookmark or similar. As with christening gifts, confirmation gifts will usually have a christian theme and be something that can be kept as a keepsake to remember the occasion.

GlasweJen

My niece made her confirmation and communion in may last year (they're catholic). I got her a candle with her name and confirmation date on it and money in a card.

Other gifts were rosary beads, bible, chosen saints medal (again catholic), a book about the saints and various other catholic "bits" along with lots of vouchers, money etc.

The candle went down really well as her actual confirmation candle was just plain white and not much of a keepsake.

suki1001

I don't think it has to be religious - it usually is though.The problem is that if everyone gets her bibles, rosary beads or other things that are traditional then she could end up with lots. although there's nothing wrong with this, it might be nice to think a little differently. What about something like a journal, you could write a comment on the inside relating to the confirmation and if you wanted to add a christian element, you could find an inspirational prayer card/bookmark with it such as the Footprints one - maybe stick it on the inside.

Lunar_Eclipse

We went to a teenage baptism a couple of years ago. We gave a set of stamped metal discs as a gift, embossed with words such as 'faith', 'hope' and 'wisdom'. We included a card linking the words to the religous act of baptism, such as 'we hope your journey of faith helps you make wise choices' or something vaguely like that.

My daughter went to her friend's confirmation at around the same age as your daughter. I think she took a book token.

meritaten

if you are not religious - then a book token seems appropriate.
and the poster who says the kids are competitive saddened me. I am not religious at all - but the idea that a confirmation of religion turns into a 'oneupmanship' event is sickening.

megela

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Think I'll go with the book token idea as I assume family would buy the more personal items like candles etc. Although I may add a religous aspect by adding the bookmark if I can find one.

Nicki

meritaten wrote: »

if you are not religious - then a book token seems appropriate.
and the poster who says the kids are competitive saddened me. I am not religious at all - but the idea that a confirmation of religion turns into a 'oneupmanship' event is sickening.

If it helps with the nausea, these are nine and ten year olds repeating some words and acting out a ritual their parents or their priest have asked them to. The competitiveness isn't I'm sure any worse than after Christmas or birthdays. (I'm not catholic myself but catholic friends have joked about this element of the day).

I suspect most people come to faith as adults or at least much older children, even if they grew up in religious homes, and this rarely or never comes with gifts

notanewuser

:spam:mier than a :spam:my thing

piglet74

Usually religious gifts come from god parents or the sponsor, eg rosary beads, crucifix, etc
A book token is fine if you are not comfortable with handing over cash which is the norm.here (Ireland) where you often hear kids saying "what are you going to buy with your holy communion / confirmation money"... Sad... But very true.