Of course, the most vital part of your child’s First Holy Communion is the ceremony itself, when your child will receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ for the very first time.
However, it is also important to remember that this is a very special occasion for your child, and there is no reason why you should not celebrate it accordingly.
If you want to invite all your family, friends, and the local community, do it.
If your child wants a gorgeous and detailed Holy Communion dress, let her have one!
However, planning your child’s first Holy Communion party, as well as preparing them for the ceremony and the next stage in their religious life, can be overwhelming.
Nonetheless, it can be done; simply follow the below tips and your child will have the best first Holy Communion party that they could wish for.
Start Planning Early
Trying to throw an incredible party at the last minute is difficult, but trying to throw a First Holy Communion party without careful planning and preparation is near impossible.
Firstly, you need to:
Confirm the time and date of the ceremony with your church: Many Catholic churches only carry out Communion rites a few times a year, so it is vital that you set a date for the ceremony before you even start looking into party venues.
Write your guest list: You may want to invite certain people to the ceremony itself and then others to just the party; this is perfectly acceptable, especially if you have non-Catholic friends who may not wish to be part of the Communion. However, if you do have non-Catholic guests attending the ceremony, make sure that you advise them to stay seated when it is time for the members of the Church to partake in the Holy Communion.
Pick your venue: This will be dependent on the number of people you wish to invite. Some prefer a more intimate gathering which can be hosted in your home or backyard. However, if you have more than 15-20 guests attending, it is advised that you rent out a hall or hotel banquet space for the holy communion party.
Set A Budget
Now that you know how many people are coming and how much you need to spend on a venue, you should try and work out a budget for all the other elements of the day; your child’s Holy Communion Dress, the food (including the all-important First Communion Cake) and decorations.
Choose your child’s First Holy Communion outfit: For boys, this usually means a pair of dark colored chinos, their First Holy Communion white shirt, and a red First Holy Communion dated tie. For girls, there is more room expression, with several styles of dresses available including ballerina, A-line, and sleeveless options.
Decide on the food: If you have under 20 guests and are having the party in your home, you may decide that cooking a meal yourself is the simplest and most cost-effective option. However, for larger parties, it can be advised forgo a meal in favor of a selection of kid-friendly hors d’oeuvres and mini desserts instead.
Cake or cupcakes? The centerpiece of a First Holy Communion party, a cake is a good option for smaller parties, whereas cupcakes now often feature at larger gatherings.
Keep decorations simple: The key to First Holy Communion decorations is to keep them both religiously fitting and child-friendly. You do not want to spend a fortune on glassware only for it to be broken by overenthusiastic little guests. There are many varieties of religious-themed tableware available, or alternatively, you could make your own.
Consider a kid’s activity table: This day is about your child, after all, so consider creating a crafting table for the younger guests with religious-based activities and arts and crafts for them to enjoy. You may want to check out these religious gift ideas for kids too.
Above all else, remember that this is your child’s special day, and whatever type of holy communion party you throw, the most important aspect to remember is that your child feels comfortable and at ease with the ceremony and that they understand the religious significance of the day.
