AIBU to ask what gift and money are usual for first communion?

[LynnFitz]

I'm going to the 1st communion of my friend's daughters next week, twins. I've bought lovely wee silver chains with chalice n paten (£15), and wee wooden multi coloured rosary beads (£5) So, £20 each. What's the going rate for a gift? I've heard £100s being given, but what do you usually give? I was thinking, I should also give money.

What you have got sounds like plenty. I don’t even remember getting gifts for first communion.

I suggest that the going rate for a gift is what ever you choose / can afford.
It may be close relatives that are giving large amounts of money as gifts.

had you not said what you had bought, I would have suggested a religious gift of some sort - and that's what you have done. sorted.

I’m not a catholic but my husbands family are so have lots of RC nieces and nephews. £20 in a card was my going rate.

DD's communion is next week. This sounds spot on to me. I would be delighted with that (generous as there are two).

Thank you all for your responses. Put my mind at rest. I'll not need to give money too. (Forgot to say, I also got wee purses to keep their rosary beads in)

The gifts sound lovely. I wouldn't give money as well.

A small present is plenty. Not even expected imho. Absolutely no need to give money.

Those are lovely gifts, very thoughtful. No need to give money aswell

Rosary beads and communion medals ( cross or chalice) are usually given to the communion child as presents ahead of the communion. So the child has them for their first communion mass.
In my family, these are usually given as presents by God parents but I know others are gifted them by friends.
Its very thoughtful of you to buy these. I'm not sure from your post if your friend knows you are gifting these items or if you have already given them.
but maybe give them to friend now. Then the girls have them for the Mass & to avoid anyone else buying them.
You definitely don't need to give any other gifts.

Your gifts sounds lovely OP

Those sound perfectly fine. No need to give money since you're giving actual gifts. Don't worry about whether Godparents are giving similar - one can never have too many.

I received similar for my confirmation - commemorative jewellery, a Book of Common Prayer, a Bible.

When my DC had their First Holy Communion, my side of the family (non-catholics) gave token gifts/a tenner in an envelope. Dh’s side (Irish RC) were dropping £50 to £100. My children were enthusiastic participants, given the lure of cold, hard cash.

I know one Catholic who went back to Ireland for a nephew’s FHC. Her nephew said: “I’m only here for the money, Aunt.”

I think your gifts are on the generous side - and lovely. But if Irish Catholics are involved, they may seem fairly small.

I’m Irish Catholic and typically the larger sums (€50 -100) are given to close relatives or godchildren, with smaller sums for friends or neighbours. That said, if you were attending the First Communion you would probably give more, but that’s very much a cultural difference (as Irish vs English wedding gift amounts are). So unless it’s an Irish family or you’re in Ireland I really wouldn’t worry about that OP. Your gifts sound lovely and thoughtful.

If this is an English holy communion it is very generous. Irish holy communion it is still ok but not generous.

You should always give money. It’s the most important part! I’d put at least £20 into each purse. Or £10 if you have to. But you should include some money.

We’ve been to a few and put £100 in a card for them, we aren’t religious and don’t really understand what it’s about tbh, but it seemed fitting. Most others also seemed to give money, there were certainly lots of cards,
more than there were gift bags I think.

What you’ve got sounds great op, I’d think fifty for a relative, 20 or gift for non relative- 100 is a lot for that age especially as they’ll get so much already