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Post by jlschlangen on Apr 6, 2012 14:30:23 GMT -6
I have 2 first communions coming up soon and I am not sure what to get for either one for a gift. The ones making a first com. is: my son, my niece. My sister doesn't want anything churchy for my niece. And my son already has a cross for on his wall from his baptism. So I have no idea what to get or do I just give them each $$$$? Thanks much.
I am not too syched about getting a rosary b/c these 2 kids probably would never use them. I still have one I never use.
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Post by AuntSueto4 on Apr 6, 2012 15:36:24 GMT -6
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Post by jlschlangen on Apr 6, 2012 18:55:26 GMT -6
Those are neat ideas AuntSue. Thanks.
Keep the ideas coming I do need more.
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jo2
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Posts: 49
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Post by jo2 on Apr 7, 2012 5:48:48 GMT -6
I think it is wonderful these children will be doing their first communion...this is such an important part of their faith.
As far as the gifts go I think a religious gift is certainly the way to go for this event. This is a great time to encourage the faith, and the practices that go along with it. There are some really good stores that carry nice gift options. I would go online and search Fiirst Commuinion gifts. (maybe get DS a rosary, and you two could start using them together!!)
Good luck, and congrats to your son on his special day!
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Post by danikasmom on Apr 7, 2012 11:52:53 GMT -6
I go to things remembered and get something with their names on it. The girls you can get a jewelery box or jewelry. Boys you can get a pen or an id bracelet. They also have religious items there.
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Post by sharon on Apr 7, 2012 12:25:02 GMT -6
You could also make a donation to a charity in their name.
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Post by ReneeW on Apr 7, 2012 14:12:53 GMT -6
You could try checking out gift ideas at a Christian book store / gift store and see what's out there. It'd be nice to get something faith related ... books, Christian music CDs, money toward Bible camp / some kind of activity related to church. Or you could decide to take them to pack meals with Kids Against Hunger or Feed My Starving Children and donate money toward the food you pack. Or do another charity/ event like that with the kids where they need to do something to get involved, something hands on.
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Post by dara1012 on Apr 7, 2012 22:14:33 GMT -6
I agree that First Communion and Confirmation are definitely times to get something special to recognize the occasion as an important step in their faith journey.
When my cousin was confirmed we donated to Feed My Starving Children in his honor as that is an organization he volunteered with during the confirmation process.
Cross jewelry is nice for both boys and girls. A Bible with their name engraved on the cover. Or maybe a children's Bible for their age range for First Communion. Maybe there is a book about the Catholic faith for that age that you could read with your son.
I am confused as to why your sister is having your niece participate in First Communion and then request that she not get any "churchy" gifts. I would still buy her something related to her faith journey and if your sister says something about it indicate that for religious milestones you feel that a gift related to religion or faith is most appropriate. I have a hard time when people have their children participate in baptism, First Communion or Confirmation but they don't actually believe in what they are having their children participate in, not sure if that is the case here, but the comment about not wanting a "churchy" gift makes me think that.
I like Renee's ideas of Christian CDs or money for Bible camp.
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jo2
Newbie
Posts: 49
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Post by jo2 on Apr 8, 2012 5:24:31 GMT -6
Thank you Dara!! Those were my thoughts exactly. I am Catholic and I take my faith very seriously. Unless you are planning on having your child follow the faith, and the practices that go with it, I'm not sure why you would want them to participate in the "milestones" of the faith. This should be something you/they take seriously, believe in and plan to live out the faith. Another thing that bothers me is when people (such as parents or other relatives) receive Communion at events such as these when they should not. Unless you have been attending Mass and reconciliation you should either stay seated, or go up with your arms crossed for a blessing. I realize people of other faiths don't always agree with this, but if you are Catholic this is a major thing!
I'm sorry I know I went off the gift subject! My oldest son is getting Confirmed this month. I bought him a really nice Bible with his name and the date of his Confirmation on the cover. For his first communion I bought him a really nice rosary that he still has.
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Post by sharon on Apr 8, 2012 7:38:41 GMT -6
I wonder why she is having her do it. If it's just going through the motions or if there is some other reason. People have all sorts of interesting relationships with religion, faith and G-d and ambivalence is not unusual, nor necessarily an indication of a lack of faith. I would be curious and interested to know more.
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jo2
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Posts: 49
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Post by jo2 on Apr 8, 2012 10:34:45 GMT -6
After thinking about this I have changed my mind a little bit. I guess these children are better off being exposed to some faith rather than none at all. I know there are a lot of children that don't get the chance to receive their First Communion because they have never been exposed to any kind of faith. Maybe this will help them find faith for themselves even if it isn't practiced at home. I was't even baptized until I was an adult, now faith is a huge part of my life.
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Post by sharon on Apr 8, 2012 18:51:23 GMT -6
I think it's easy to, from a distance, say that the parent is going through the motions or having their child do a religious rite for the wrong reasons, but we are at a distance and don't know. It could just as easily be that the parent is making the best decision she can for her child. Perhaps she is ambivalent about this expression of faith, or the religion itself, or this particular church for any number of reasons. Maybe she just doesn't want a big deal made for some reason. There could be many reasons why someone might not feel 100% gung-ho about their child's religious milestone, or about receiving gifts for it.
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Post by dara1012 on Apr 8, 2012 19:03:47 GMT -6
I guess my concern in this situation is that I interpreted the not wanting a "churchy" gift to be about wanting money instead. I indicated in my first response that I wasn't sure if that was the case in this situation as it was based on limited knowledge.
I still think religious milestones should be celebrated with a gift that is reflective of the faith journey. I know that sometimes the parent doesn't believe or struggles with their faith but they want their children to go through the religious rites so they can make an informed decision as an adult.
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Post by sharon on Apr 8, 2012 19:06:06 GMT -6
I hear you. I do always get religious gifts for B'nai Mitzvot - or make a donation.
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Post by jlschlangen on Apr 8, 2012 19:27:33 GMT -6
My sister is a person or family who goes to church, but they don't want things like crosses or bibles. I don't understand her sometimes. One of these days I might just go to what was Northwestern book store and see what they have or give money.
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