First Communion gift ideas?

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...

We’re heading to a First Communion tomorrow, and I’ve already picked up some gold earrings, a pretty shirt, a cute jewelry box, and since the little girl has a sweet tooth, a big basket of treats along with some flowers. Honestly, looking at it all now, it feels excessive. It seems like the whole point of First Communion and Confirmation nowadays has just turned into a race to see who can give the most gifts. The girl we’re visiting is my goddaughter, and she’s been talking about nothing but the presents for months... which is pretty sad, even if I'm not exactly a religious person myself.
And those gifts Hannah Wood45 listed? That’s bordering on overkill, if you ask me.

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. 😲😲

When I had my First Communion, there wasn't this whole massive parade going on. We just wore these white dresses to church—the only things we actually owned were our shoes, hair clips, and underwear 😍

I honestly feel like everything is getting way too over-the-top these days... Back then, there weren't any huge parties, live bands, or fancy catered lunches, and it was honestly just 👍
I don't have any special keepsakes from it, other than that certificate my parents framed and tacked onto the wall 🙂

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...

😲😲😲

What an exaggeration. 🙄

A gift of $100 or more for a 10-year-old? A motorcycle? A laptop? A summer vacation?

I am shocked (to say the least)....

redmaker55 said: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. 😲😲

It just makes the tragedy worse. They go through the motions for First Communion at fourteen, so I suppose we should just buy them a car or a plane next (whereas when they do it in elementary school, they get a motorcycle, a laptop, and all those other luxuries that many people who actually work can't just afford on a whim).

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...

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.🙏

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...

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. 😉

I am in complete agreement with Taylor Swift. When my child had their First Communion, the three of us simply went out for lunch at a local restaurant, and that was the extent of it. I truly believe this is a deeply personal milestone rather than an excuse to throw a massive party; after all, that wasn't even the norm until quite recently.
We celebrated the occasion with just our immediate family, and I felt so relieved that our church provides matching outfits for the children, which saved us from having to deal with a whole parade of fancy clothing.

Back when I had my First Communion about 15 years ago, my parents gave me a little cross pendant and some earrings. We just did a nice lunch at home with the immediate family.
It was the same story for Confirmation—a family meal and some gold jewelry, like necklaces or bracelets. Nothing over the top. We were actually celebrating the sacraments themselves, not just counting down the days until we got presents, which seems to be how it works now.
Nowadays, kids aren't shy about asking for a laptop or a scooter... honestly, where does it end?
I know someone who was a godmother for a Confirmation, and the gift was an expensive designer watch plus $333 extra cash for the kid to spend on whatever they wanted. It’s tacky.
People don't respect the sacraments anymore; kids just don't connect with them.

Next Sunday, I’m heading to Washington, D.C. for my daughter’s First Communion—and while browsing through some forums, I stumbled upon an interesting gift idea: an Esprit kids' watch set that comes with a little matching purse. I’m curious if anyone knows if those are still considered "cool" by kids today?🤷 ...since this thread was posted all of last year...
What actually captures a young girl's imagination at this age??😕
I’d also love to tuck a few extra bucks into the envelope😍

What would be an appropriate gift for a boy celebrating his First Communion? He’s a relative of mine—not the godparent, but I've been invited to the ceremony and the party afterward. His parents mentioned that they don't need anything, but honestly, that feels a bit off to me. I’m worried he might feel left out or disappointed, and I'd feel quite awkward showing up empty-handed. It just doesn't sit right.
The kid already has everything he could possibly want. I am truly open to any suggestions you might have.

Mine ordered a laptop, some skates, a phone, and a watch. Kid's got modest tastes—not much there.🙂
But honestly, cash is the ultimate gift. Whether it’s $50 or $33, that’s what really gets him hyped. Most kids are always saving up for something anyway, so you can't really go wrong there.

Don’t crucify me just yet, but...

Please, stop buying gold jewelry for kids. Seriously.

Most kids can't stand gold chains. They’ll thank you later—they'll look like happy little angels while Mom forces them to wear it on special occasions... and they will absolutely hate it.

I have always hated those kinds of gifts, and from what I know, most of my friends feel the same way. Both when we were children and now that we're adults.

For those First Communions and Confirmations, there is a mass influx of tacky gold—chunky crosses, diamond hearts, gold animals, you name it. Not only is it ugly, but even if it weren't, there's a slim chance they'll ever actually wear it.

Do some research into what they actually care about. If they love books, buy them a book. If they play soccer, get them cleats. A gift doesn't need to be "fancy" or "appropriate for the occasion." What matters is that it's bought with genuine love and thought for the child—so buy based on their interests, not what you think the neighbors will approve of.

Personally, I made it crystal clear to everyone around my tenth birthday that I wasn't into gold jewelry. They kept buying it anyway, acting foolishly—thinking, "What does a kid know? They'll wear it when they grow up," and so on. (I ended up with a mountain of tacky, low-quality yellow gold that I despised with every fiber of my being!)
As soon as I moved out from my parents' place (who were quite stubborn about this issue—much like yours, though heaven forbid you try to change them)—I took it all straight to a jeweler and sold it for scrap. I got significantly less than what they originally cost. Then, I took all that cash and spent it on coffee and cigarettes.
Why?

Because those gifts weren't bought for me; they were bought for the sake of appearances. So, I turned those unwanted gifts into something actually useful.

P.S. I am an adult now. I only wear my engagement ring—which was bought specifically for me, according to my taste, after asking for my opinion—and one silver ring that holds sentimental value.
Believe it or not, zero gold.

It seems "adults" don't always have the best judgment after all!

And now you can tell me all you want about not looking a gift horse in the mouth. But if you give someone a gift without caring whether they actually like it, you should probably just keep it. And if you still insist on giving me some garbage that I've explicitly TOLD you I hate—well, then I'm perfectly entitled to throw that gift in the trash if I feel like it. Because that's exactly what it is.

Is it actually okay to just take a gift card, like at a Turbo-limacher?

frozenraven54 said:Is it actually okay to just take a gift card, like at a Turbo-limacher?

Why wouldn't it be? 😉

frozenraven54 said:Is it actually okay to just take a gift card, like at a Turbo-limacher?

Honestly, I think that’s a great call.👍

I decided to just stick with cash so the kid can pick out exactly what they want, since my mom mentioned they've been saving up for some rollerblades.😉-😁

I also ordered this super cute custom card from Kate, just so it doesn't look like I totally phoned it in, because let's be real, I have zero clue what to buy.

- I just picked up some earrings for my daughter's First Communion tomorrow. I went with stainless steel since she loves wearing that stuff, and honestly, they look super fancy—like, totally high-end. I think they're perfect for her age, plus we'll be dropping some extra cash on the gift... + religious book
- For the next First Communion (a boy), we grabbed a baseball bat and a ball—that's what he really wants. We can't find a glove anywhere in all of Chicago, so he'll just have to go without one. I’m also planning to pick up a cool book (maybe a novel or a story) with some spiritual themes—not just strictly about God, because there are actually some really interesting and engaging ones out there
and more cash too
- For the third First Communion, I got a heart-shaped watch necklace (stainless steel again, and it's gorgeous) + cash... + religious book
And that's it... I'm officially broke this month...😁

That idea about using a gift card is actually pretty smart...

That being said, even if I'm trying to keep things simple, I always aim to include something spiritual, even if it's just a cool little book for ten bucks$6.75....(stores like Barnes & Noble have a great selection right now)
At the end of the day, it's a religious rite, and as such, we should show some respect with an appropriate gift... (or at least part of the gift should be)
I mean, it shouldn't all be purely material stuff; at least a portion of it should be something spiritual🙂....
Unless someone is sending a kid to these sacraments just for the sake of it...
And they don't know the first thing about faith... in which case, a gift like that wouldn't even mean much to them