First Communiion Montery Gift

I know they sound out of date, does she have a bracelet? Perhaps you could get a charm for it. I say this as she will get lots of religious items from family and friends. It will be something special between the two of them.

Enjoy the reception.

the other S.

If $50 is in your budget, I'd do that. $25 would be great too!

Hi T.,

I went to Jane Ryan Elementary for kindergarten - then my parents moved to Florida. Wonder if we knew each other back then?

We are Catholic and my son just received his first communion. He received everything from very nice cards (no gift) to $10 bill to $50 bill and everything in between. Some was checks and some was cash. He also got a rosary, a missal, and a child's bible.

This is NOT a wedding. You don't need to do $100 plus. I agree with the poster that said the event is NOT about the gifts. I will say that my 7 year old thought it was super special that some of his friends came to church to actually witness him receiving his first communion and not just to the party. Maybe take your daughter to the church also if you are invited to that as well.

I hope you enjoy it! C.

Growing up I remember getting $100 from family and 25-50 from friends

First communions are an important celebration, but I think being there is more important than the gifts. My daughter made her first communion last year and she was so excited. I think the gifts were just extra. She received many religious gifts as well as some cash gifts. Her best friend gave her a precious moments that was probably around $20.

I am Catholic and think $100 is excessive (except possibly grandparents or other very close relatives). At 9 most kids are still excited about $10. We spent around $20 for the 1st communion we went to last weekend.

My son made is First Holy Communion last year. Honestly, it's not about the gifts, so don't stress about it. He got several gifts--some cash. Cash from friends ranged from $10-$25 (family gave more).

You can do money or a gift. Since this is a friend I would treat it similar to a birthday, maybe a little more (so if you normally give $15 for b-day party gift then $25 would be nice).

She will get a lot of crosses, so a simple 'pearl' bracelet. I recall getting mother of pearl from a friend.

edit: I also think they really invited your daughter because the girl wanted to be with friends. Often the first communion kids go their own way to celebrate, so all the other kids from the communion will not celebrate together.

My daughter received several $20 bills and a check for $50.

Just for reference, we had a small dinner at the house. The $50 came from her friend who she has known since preschool. They were 19 months when they met. They did not attend the dinner.

With that, I say give what you feel and what you can afford. All of my daughter's money will go right into her college fund. So, even if it were $5, it would go into the same place and be appreciated all the same.

Wow! I am stunned that anyone is suggesting more than $25 for a First Communion! This is not a wedding - though we don't usually give more than $50 for a wedding unless we are very close to the couple. I realize small town, midwest is very different from Connecticut, but I am still stunned!

My husband and I were both raised Catholic, and I used to work for the Church. First Communions are a very big deal to Catholics and their families, but that's usually about it. Maybe some close friends, but it's not like a Wedding at all. There's usually a brunch or something at the house afterwards, but not a big reception at a hotel or anything.

If I'm totally off base here and there really is a big shindig, maybe $25 is more appropriate. For friends birthdays we usually do around $25, so I was really thinking $10 for a First Communion.

Is the reception at a place or at a home? I'd do no less than $100 but I am a New Yorker and that's how it goes here. For you in CT, $50?