First Communion Party

When spring arrives, many small kids will be taking their first communion. This is an excellent time to have a party to celebrate this religious milestone in your child’s life. You may also be invited to celebrate a first communion for a godchild or a relative. This is definitely a party that will involve the entire family, so it is important to plan for and include the adults as well. Given that most of these ceremonies take place in May, you may want to have the party outdoors in your yard or at a local park. This is also a popular party to hold at a banquet hall or restaurant. One thing is for sure, the season is quite short, so it is best to book early!!

If you are looking for ways to bring the party together, here are some ideas:

1. You do not need to blow up lots of balloons and streamers for this party, as it is a more serious celebratory occasion. A few pearly white balloons attached to the special kid’s chair would be plenty.
2. Use pastel or ivory colors for your tableware. For a centerpiece, place a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers on the table. Scatter butterfly confetti around to symbolize new life and for added festivity. Fold your napkins to look like a bishop’s mitre.
3. Place votive candle holders around the table with ivory and/or white candles in them. You can put one at each place setting and have your guests take the candle holders home with them as a party favor.
4. For food, BBQ is always popular, and any type of buffet would be appreciated (fruits and veggies with dips, finger sandwiches, small pastries, etc.). Ask your kid what his or her favorite foods are to get a better idea of what to serve. A brunch buffet would also be great for adults and kids and particularly appropriate if the party is taking place right after church. Really, anything goes for this gathering.
5. Serve a flat sheet cake iced with white frosting and a special message on top. Check out this first communion cake for ideas.
6. Make a batch of cross sugar cookies with the communion kid’s name written in icing on each.
7. For gifts for the first communion kid, bring rosaries, a bible, charm bracelets, a cross on a gold or silver chain, other religious books of prayer, a white candle, butterfly hair clips, etc. For more ideas, check out the Catholic Children’s Company.
8. Many people suggest having a communion party with a traditional theme that your kid is into as you would for your kids’ birthday. This is fine, but it becomes more like a birthday party. I wouldn’t necessarily have lots of planned theme activities, but instead have a gathering of family to mark this religious milestone. If the actual communion ceremony was videotaped, you could watch it together. Face painting butterflies and other spring animals onto the kids’ faces would be fun to symbolize new life as well. Otherwise, let the kids free-play outdoors and enjoy the beautiful spring day together.