It was a beautiful day in May. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and all the flowers and trees were bursting with the beauty of spring. Upstairs in my daughter’s bedroom, a white dress and sweet little veil hung at the ready. It was the day of my oldest daughter’s First Holy Communion! Mass was to be at 5:30 that evening with a little party for friends and family earlier in the afternoon. Everything was perfect! Except one little thing.
Our little communicant had a nasty cold.
Our poor girl had a low fever, some watery eyes, and serious sneezes. When we told her that her party was going to be cancelled, she understood. We’d still celebrate her big day with cake and presents and lots of prayers and good wishes. We just couldn’t expose our friends to whatever germs she had.
A Day She Wouldn't Miss
But when it came to whether or not she would wear her godmother’s dress and finally, finally be able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, she simply wouldn’t hear of missing out. “Just give me some Tylenol, Mommy. I’ll take a nap before we go to church. I will be fine, I promise!”
And she was! When it came time to leave for Mass, she had not even a touch of fever and more energy than she’d had for days. It made me realize, not just how much she wanted to be with Jesus, but how much He wanted to be with her, as well.
What a gift that was to us as her parents and to her!
And as for the gifts she would have received at her party? Well, our sweet family and friends showered her with them whenever they saw her over the next week or so. It was a lovely way to continue to celebrate her blessed day.
First Communion Gift Ideas
It’s such a marvelous day in any family’s life when a child makes their First Holy Communion. What grace we obtain when we see the faith and foundation of our Church pass on to the next generation!
Oftentimes, we like to give presents or mementos. But sometimes, it can be difficult to find just the right gift to commemorate the occasion.
In addition to the prayers you will certainly be offering, maybe you can find something on our specially curated gift list here to help!
Gifts for Boys
Little boys can be tough on Rosaries, but Rugged Rosaries makes theirs out of paracord and they’re nearly indestructible. Rough and tumble Rosaries for your rough and tumble boy!
This St. Michael Rosary box serves double duty as it holds your guy’s new Rosary and looks really cool sitting on his dresser.
This olive wood jewelry box and wooden Rosary by Bethlehem Gifts also provides a special Rosary for your loved one’s day. The olive wood is from carved from trees in Bethlehem in the Holy Land.
For the little man who is a snappy dresser, this silver chalice tie/lapel pin is a must.
Gifts for Girls
First Communion is often a time when little girls get their first piece of “real” jewelry. A necklace or earrings in the shape of a cross are always lovely. If you want a legacy gift, consider the gorgeous vintage medals and necklaces from Trésor Bleu. Your favorite First Communicant could wear the necklace for First Communion, Confirmation, and even on her wedding day (if you select a blue medal, it could be her something-blue!).
For a girl who loves to craft, check out these stamps and stickers she could use in her journal or Bible!
Marzipantz and Marekmade are both make beautiful dolls of Our Lady and various Saints. Take a look early, though, because these are often custom-made items!
These beautiful prayer cards of the Visitation would be perfect for entering into prayer time as a young lady!
The Blessed is She Scripture lined notebooks are great for prayer journaling, list making, note-taking, or even writing letters!
Gifts for Both
Rise Up, in additional to the Rise Up Saint and Scripture cards, are ideal for your First Communicant! We also offer these little stickers, perfect for water bottles and folders!
Printable Prayers offers a customizable First Holy Communion keepsake/invitation for your loved one’s special day and memory book.
Someday Saints Design has these beautiful Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart gold foil prints. Perfect for framing and hanging in your home or for gifting!
The Little Book of Prayers is a beautiful compilation of prayers of the Church and is a wonderful book as they continue their faith journey!
Arma Dei offers this Holy Communion: Sacraments with the Saints craft kit with writing prompts and fill-in-the-blank spaces for the child to record what they experienced and learned on their holy day.
Catholic Curio’s engraved pencils are a useful reminder to always keep their faith close at hand.
Just Love Prints can personalize these great host and chalice or lamb prints as a special remembrance.
And for some hands-on fun, you can’t go wrong with Fr. Leopold celebrating the Mass with LEGO!
However you celebrate your First Communicant’s special day, know that we as a community are holding them and their growing faith in our prayers!
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