<p>Looking for ideas for gifts for my niece’s first communion.
We will be donating to her 529 plan in honor of it, but that’s really more for her parents (my sister / BIL) - and I want something for her to open, as well.</p>
<p>A few considerations:
Because my family is Jewish, we are not at all comfortable giving nor do we want to give anything that is religious-themed (a cross, etc.). This doesn’t reflect at all on my sister and her family (my sister and I are the products of a non-practicing Catholic / non-practicing Jewish marriage, so we have basically no problem with anything) but I simply don’t want to be giving a cross and frankly, my niece will receive more than enough heavily-religious stuff from the other side of her family.
I want it to be something that is more permanent and meaningful, yet that a 7 yo girl would enjoy. Which makes me think of jewelry, but I don’t want to buy something that will be chintzy / cheesy when she’s older.
My niece is very spunky and animated; her interests are drama / theater and ice skating.<br>
Would it be inappropriate for a first communion gift to do a special day with her (at a play, downtown at American Girl, etc.) in lieu of an actual present-present? Any suggestions for other gifts? Thanks!</p>
<p>I think a special day is an appropriate gift. Also, for jewelry look at [James</a> Avery Jewelry - Makers of quality sterling silver, gold & gemstone jewelry. Original designs & christian jewelry.](<a href=“http://www.jamesavery.com%5DJames”>http://www.jamesavery.com). There is a lot of religious jewelry, but also charms and jewelry that has meaning but not as specific as a cross, etc. James Avery jewelry is always the gift of choice for religious events, graduations etc.</p>
<p>I agree that a special day is completely appropriate and a nice change from the mountain of picture frames, figurines, rosaries, etc. they receive. Pearl jewelry is another thought - something about the purity of pearls seems appropriate for the occasion. My daughter received a single pearl with a small diamond on a gold chain for her first communion, and she still wears it - she actually only began wearing it in high school.</p>
<p>I was raised Catholic, and never received gifts on occasions like this. (first communion, confirmation) Some of my Jewish friends did receive religious-themed jewelry at bat mitzvahs: they never wore it and generally disliked it intensely. (And at least one of the above is an active member of a temple, has spent a few years is Israel, etc.)</p>
<p>So personally, I would nix the religious-themed jewelry. Maybe something like a pendant in her birthstone would stand the test of time…pearls…it’s hard to say. [cross posted with gourmetmom] </p>
<p>I think the idea of taking her to lunch and a play or ice skating performance is a nice idea. If you could incorporate a targeted shopping event, such as–something I did for a niece , back in the stone age --letting the kid pick out any record they wanted, that would be nice, too.</p>
<p>Your niece probably would enjoy a special day more than a piece of jewelry, which she probably would lose if it is not put away.</p>
<p>Speaking of pearls. Last time when I was in L&T (NYC), they were having a 50% sale on jewelry (maybe another 25% off for friends and family), I saw a pair of pearls for around 100 (8mm). I got them for D2, and now they are her favorite everyday earrings. Pearls go with everything, so timeless.</p>
<p>Would it be inappropriate for a first communion gift to do a special day with her (at a play, downtown at American Girl, etc.) in lieu of an actual present-present? Any suggestions for other gifts? Thanks!</p>
<p>Totally ok. Our Jewish relatives give our Catholic kids secular gifts for these occasions and that’s totally ok. Like you, we give money for their Bat/Bar Mitzvahs, etc, but also give some “thing” for the child to receive and immediately enjoy. Gift certs for favorite stores or whatever is totally fine.</p>
<p>My niece is making her first communion next month. I’m making a replica of her first communion dress to fit her American Girl doll, with the little veil, white shoes, etc. </p>
<p>If your niece is into AG dolls, that might be a good way to go.</p>
<p>I manage the gift shop at our parish. I get questions like this all of the time. We sell the traditional Catholic gifts, but I have suggested many other items – especially when there is a large extended family shopping.</p>
<p>One thing I have suggested is this heart from Tiffany’s</p>
<p>It isn’t too expensive, and it can be engraved with her initials. There is also a similar round disk. There are some other charms that could be significant for her, particularly the pink ballet slippers. It is hard to say, since you didn’t give a price point for your gift. They also have some lovely heart lockets. They open up to Tiffany blue. So pretty and feminine. A special day out would also be appropriate.</p>
<p>First Communion was mighty awkward at my house (dad is non-practicing, but Jewish; mom was raised spiritual but definitely not Christian) and very few of our friends were Catholic. I got some jewelry, but I don’t wear jewelry and I didn’t then either. Numerous moves later and I’m not sure I still have ANY of it. The best present I got was a day at Tigers Stadium with a close family friend. It’s a memory I still cherish to this day.</p>
<p>I think an outing to the American Girl store or to an event would be a terrific present for a First Communion aged young lady. While jewelry is nice, a lasting piece is probably something she will not cherish until she is older (maybe save THAT for her Confirmation or HS/College graduation). A day out with her loving aunt would be terrific…make is something really special that she will really love.</p>
<p>How about starting an add a pearl necklace? My mother started one for my daughter and adds 2 pearls each year.<br>
Your idea of a ‘special day’ is also great, something she will remember and is totally appropriate.</p>
<p>I like your idea of a day out. I still find the odd religious item in the basement from 1st Communion/Confirmation. Neither of my kids wanted porcelain crosses on their walls or religious keepsakes once they were a little older.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s a serious day, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t give a “special day”. Spending a day with Auntie PG would be something that she’ll remember for the rest of her life. I promise.</p>
<p>Lots of things are “serious”…weddings, bat/bar mitzvahs, confirmations, etc, but that doesn’t mean that all gifts must be serious. </p>
<p>It’s not as if you were giving something disrespectful to her faith (Catholics aren’t that uptight…lol). You love your niece and wouldn’t give something “wrong”. </p>
<p>That said, I do think the idea of the American Girl doll dressed in a First Communion dress would be cute. And, the idea of a nice piece of jewelry (not religious) is fine as well. </p>
<p>Does your niece have pierced ears? How about a nice pair of earrings with screw-type backing?</p>
<p>I haven’t been to American Girl since my girls were little. I remember how much they loved to go there. LOVED.</p>
<p>I was raised Catholic and we had Jewish relatives (my grandmother was Jewish). They gave us a lot of money, which was very cool, in my opinion, at the time. I had an aunt I was particularly close to growing up and she used to do the “special” day thing. I really loved it. I still remember every one of them.</p>
<p>Tea at the Drake, too, just as a thought. My girls loved that.</p>
<p>Have fun. I love to borrow the neices and nephews now that mine are mostly grown up.</p>
Maybe something like a pendant in her birthstone would stand the test of time…pearls…it’s hard to say. [cross posted with gourmetmom] </p>