First Holy communion

kay41_2

Been invited to a party to celebrate a friend's daughter's first holy communion. We are not going to the church, but to the party after. We are not catholic and so don't know the protocol. What is expected? Do we just do a card, or is a present expected too - can it be something small like you would give to a child you didn't really know for a birthday (e.g. when child invited everyone in the class) - or should it be a bit more special? I don't want to offend or seem stingy, but not sure what is the polite thing to do? Parents seem to have invited a lot of their friends and children, so maybe just a good excuse for a get together! any advice welcomed!

jamgirl

my son did his first communion at the weekend.
we bought him some rosary beads to keep and my mum bought him a childrens bible.
we only invited family and i, and i think he, didn't expect any gifts. he did get some money which of course he is over the moon at :rotfl:

cards are available from most card shops. if you feel you want to get something then i would go for some rosary beads, small bible or prayer bok. if its for a girl a little chain and cross. most of these can be bought cheaply at church shops either at the back of church after mass or some towns have church shops in town.

as you are not invited to teh church i think it sounds like an excuse for a party and i really wouldn't worry too much about a gift. :-)

bluenose1

If you are not religous I would not bother with rosary beads etc, you normally find family buy them.
I would give a card with maybe a £5 or £10 note. Maybe it's just me but I think it will have cost to do buffet, disco etc so I feel that I should give money/gift.

Toonie

I was invited to my boyfriends nieces first Holy Communion and we were stuck for ideas for presents, but we eventually found a lovely box which she could use as a keepsake box for that day. It had space for a photo in the lid and was big enough to put all her bits in from the day.

I've also seen some nice multi-stringed bookmarks for bibles which look lovely like this one on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220072540594&rd=1&rd=1

Becles

Is there one of these shops near you?
http://www.spckbookshops.org/bookshops/

They have a lovely selection of cards and gifts for Holy Communion. Was just in my local one buying something for my son today!

anniebooklover

If you are not Catholic you can buy cards in high street card shops for First Holy Communions or if you want something a bit more special you could try some of the "shops" in the local churches. Something like a First Holy Communion card with a small medal of some kind (e.g. miraculous medal, St Christopher - pm me if you would like to know the significance of these medals) and perhaps some money would be appreciated.

HTH

Annie xx

Bear_family

If you're not religious I would just buy a book token, rather than a gift voucher, so at least the child will have to buy a book rather than a CD or DVD, which doesn't really reflect the sentiment of the day. There are plenty of cheap First Holy Communion cards, I've even seen them in Card Factory if you have one of those near you.
Have a nice time.

Bfx