Posts by redmaker55

No snow outside the States.

Can redmaker55 handle this? 🙂

Sure thing, just reach out to unknown.

Can I shorten Bride2B to B2B?
Everyone I talk to calls me that anyway, and I haven't been a bride in ages.😁

Nick already exists...

Hannah Wood45 said:I honestly had no idea that pearls could just... expire? :s I mean, I don't even begin to understand how or why mother-of-pearl would somehow die out... plus, that kind of jewelry can always be passed down to an older sister or Mom in the meantime...
In any case, while maybe certain pieces of jewelry seem unnecessary for kids aged 10 to 14, I am quite certain that if money is invested in them, the value won't just vanish—quite the opposite, actually—it will likely be appreciated later on and definitely find its way back into use...
In my family, we always had this tradition of gifting jewelry, though sometimes things were different; for instance, when my younger brothers wanted a telescope, the whole family pooled our money together just to buy that one telescope...
Some people might argue that gifts aren't necessary, but to me, it feels perfectly natural that a First Communion or Confirmation represents such a massive milestone for a child—that it deserves a little celebration, so they end up with something tangible to look back on and remember that day by...

P.S. please don't just jump down my throat—if you're against giving gifts, then you certainly don't need to buy anything, I was simply trying to suggest some ideas that have been trending lately...

Nobody is attacking you. The issue is simply how much people are stunned
by just how materialistic our world has become.
The price tag or popularity of a gift doesn't matter; what matters is that it comes from the heart.
You could receive fifty laptops, but if there’s no heart behind it, it’s as good as nothing.

It is natural for a First Communion or Confirmation to feel significant. But if the sacrament doesn't actually change you—if you're only focused on the gifts or comparing yourself to the neighbor's kid—then all that religious education and church attendance is useless. Celebrating with family is fine, but turning it into a massive wedding-style production is overkill. 👎 👎

Judge the sacrament by the internal experience, not the material gains. The Bible reminds us that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Apply that logic to your gift list. 😉

Hannah Wood45 said:I was merely suggesting that this is just how things stand right now—some people have the means to afford it, while others simply have to save up specifically for the occasion...
And when it comes to those necklaces or bracelets, I suppose it might not be such a bad idea to buy one even if it won't be worn for the first few years. After all, it's probably quite practical to own a high-quality piece of jewelry that can be worn from age 18 through the rest of one's life—something that serves as a lasting reminder of the First Communion and the person who was kind enough to give it...

Pearls and similar items need to be worn against the skin to stay vibrant, dear me.
If they aren't worn, they lose their luster.
Eventually, you're left with nothing much to show for it...

It isn't about whether people can afford it.
If we're going by that logic, if I could afford designer handbags, I could buy one for my child, my godchild, or any relative.
The issue is one of principle. We shouldn't turn sacraments—which should be the most sacred, mystical, and dignified moments for a believer—
into a parade of drunkenness and tacky excess.

Honestly, I am grateful that my parents, despite having the means,
did not indulge in such things for my sacraments.
Because now, I actually know how to appreciate what I have.🙏

Hannah Wood45 said:Here are a few thoughts—just reflecting on what we used to receive a few years back...
smartphones, iPods, jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets... mostly gold, precious stones, or pearls; the guys even knew how to score a nice tie clip), bicycles, computers, laptops, maybe even some motorcycles, summer trips, cash, watches, TVs, full room speaker systems, phones, lamps, paintings... most things were easily $100 and up, which was roughly the baseline even when people were just handing out cash...
I have this feeling that those who ended up getting a Bible were probably pretty disappointed...

They shouldn't have even attended the First Communion...

I agree with mujsapujsom. That is just perverse..
Come on, what does a thirteen or fourteen-year-old need a pearl necklace or precious gemstones for?
In my view, that is a more appropriate gift for a high school graduation or a college diploma. I agree every woman should have pearls in her jewelry box, but isn't this a bit too serious for a fourteen-year-old?
First, I look at my own experience. For my First Communion, I received a coral necklace—I didn't wear it until my high school graduation, and believe me, I had plenty of opportunities to do so...
And then there is the motorcycle... a fourteen-year-old isn't even legally allowed to ride a motorcycle. 😲😲

We’re heading to my cousin’s First Communion in an hour.
I stopped by Barnes & Noble this morning to pick up a youth Bible, but her grandmother is handling that. Instead, I bought her the three-volume set of KRISTINA, DAUGHTER OF LAURA she actually wanted. It turned out to be $87, so I paired it with this little book and a bouquet of pink roses. It’s a solid gift for the occasion.

I know she’ll be getting jewelry from her aunts and godparents,
and honestly, I considered getting her pearl earrings,
but she's just too young. Pearls need to be worn to work;
they settle into the skin, and she won't be wearing anything like that until high school graduation at the earliest.🤷🤷

I'm in full agreement..
I'm not pregnant myself,
but I know it's incredibly tough for women when yet another wave of pregnancy announcements hits,
or after a devastating miscarriage,
only to find the top of the forum dominated by threads about hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time.

Michael Parker15 said:If you find yourself without any condoms, just tuck an extra towel between your knees... and hold on tight so nothing slips out!😂😂

My brother always tells his younger sister:
Keep your head on straight and your legs closed.😂😂😂😂

I'm hoping the baker making my cake will be willing to set it up this way.

I have four female goddaughters and one male godson.
It’s a tradition in our family for the grandparents to buy a Bible, so each of them received some jewelry as a keepsake. After that, I let them choose their own gift: either something tech-related—like a smartphone, a laptop, or a tablet—or straight cash. Everyone received the exact same amount. I made a mistake with the first girl, though. Since her parents aren't exactly well-off, I gave her $100 when she was out shopping for clothes for her communion. My conscience started eating at me, so I ended up doing the same thing for every other child.🤷

I have a question...
Do you think it’s a bit tacky to include chocolate muffins in a wedding cake spread?😍