Family and friends shopping for first communion gifts may find it difficult to decide what to choose for the second-grader receiving First Holy Communion. First communion gifts should acknowledge the importance of the day and be chosen as a special keepsake that will last a lifetime.
Rosaries, Mass Books as First Communion Gifts
Rosary beads are one of the most popular communion gifts for children. Often the rosary beads are given with a special pouch or as part of a set that includes a Mass book, scapular and rosary box. While rosaries are common gifts, they should not be crossed off the list of possible ideas. It is possible to have and use more than one rosary, so duplicates are not necessarily a bad idea.
Mass books, prayer books, Bibles and other religious-themed books are another popular, traditional gift choice for first communion gifts. These are a nice choice as there is a lot of variety and less chance of buying duplicate gifts.
Christian book stores often have a selection that is appropriate for children of many faiths. Bibles are most often purchased by close family members or godparents so other relatives and friends may want to choose a book about saints or living a holy life. Rosaries and religious books are all good choices for boys and girls receiving their First Holy Communion.
Give Religious Jewelry as a First Communion Gift
Religious jewelry is another idea that works for boys or girls. Sterling silver religious medals can be an inexpensive choice and work well for children as .925 silver tends to be sturdier, especially for everyday wear. Close relatives or godparents may want to select gold jewelry to be worn on special holidays instead of every day.
For boys, choose a crucifix, Miraculous medal or patron saint medal. St. Christopher, St. Michael or St. Joseph are popular medals for boys. If the boy has a saint name, search online for a medal with his saint on it. Four-way medals are a nice combination of a Miraculous medal, Sacred Heart medal, St. Christopher medal and St. Joseph medal.
The possibilities are endless for religious jewelry as a first communion gift for girls. Ideas include crucifixes, Miraculous medals, saint-name medals, bracelets with first communion charms, and cross earrings. Bracelets come in shorter lengths for girls, and some charm bracelets can be adjusted to fit a child and be lengthened as needed.
Personalized Keepsakes as Communion Gifts
One of the advantages of selecting personalized keepsakes for First Holy Communion is that there is very little chance that the exact same item will be chosen by someone else. While it is possible the child will receive more than one engraved picture frame, it is unlikely they will be identical or go unused. Personalized frames and bookmarks are useful gifts that can last a lifetime. Another choice is a frame that includes a personalized poem or scripture verse and space for a picture of the special day.
The traditional first communion gifts of rosaries, religious books, jewelry and personalized keepsakes are all special and thoughtful gifts that recognize the importance of First Holy Communion. Religious jewelry is a gift for children that can last a lifetime. Personalized keepsakes are less likely to be duplicate gifts, and many options are available.
For more First Holy Communion gifts, read First Communion Gifts Don't Have To Be Religious. To learn where to buy first communion invitations, read Buying First Holy Communion Invitations.
Genna Cockerham - Genna Cockerham has been writing online since November 2008. She served as Marriage Feature Writer from December 2008 to February ...
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