In the Catholic Religion, a child’s First Holy Communion is a very special day indeed. Usually made around the second grade, a child’s First Communion Day is when they experience receiving the body of Christ during Mass for the first time. Truly a day to be prepared for and enjoyed, the overall cost of the celebration of this very important sacrament can easily run hundreds of dollars or even more. This is especially true if you have a large family to host at the traditional celebration after the Mass. Here are some easy ways you can celebrate your child’s First Communion on a budget.
Invitations. Once you are informed of the date that your child will be making First Communion, you will need to prepare a guest list and then mail out invitations. Instead of a stationary store which carry beautiful First Communion invitations that can be quite pricey, look in your local discount department store and even the nearest dollar stores. If you have a friend with a Cricut machine, you can even design your own and buy the paper and envelopes at a craft store. With a quick lesson from your friend, you can spend a very enjoyable afternoon creating your own First Communion Invitations for much less than what several packets of Invitations would cost.
Communion Dress Or Suit. Little girls making their First Communion wear a traditional white dress and veil. The range of prices for these dresses and headpieces is extremely wide. Instead of searching in a high end boutique for your daughter’s First Communion dress, take a trip to your nearest discount department stores such as Marshalls or TJ Maxx. The selection will not be as large, but you may get lucky and wind up spending a third of what you would at a boutique or a store at the mall. For a wonderful way of making the day very sentimental as well as drastically reducing the cost for First Holy Communion clothing, your son or daughter can wear the clothing of an older sibling or relative that has already made their First Communion, as long as the clothing was properly preserved.
A trip to the dry cleaner or seamstress for alterations will cost far less than buying all new. Little girls making their First Communion traditionally wear headpieces with beading and a veil. Instead of purchasing one, you can easily craft your own from the materials available at a craft store. A homemade veil made with love and pride has much more meaning than one pre made from a department store. A ring of fresh flowers instead of a traditional veil is a lovely alternative that will only cost a few dollars.
Pictures. Churches usually commission a professional photographer to take pictures of the children making their First Communion. This is convenient for parents as well as a lovely way to commemorate the occasion. Unfortunately, even the most basic package can be very expensive. Visit your local retail department store who has a photography studio at least two weeks before the big day and have your child’s picture taken in full First Communion dress. You will spend half as much for pictures that are just as special. If you are planning to include a small photo in your Thank You Cards, be sure to book the appointment in enough time that you will receive the pictures either just before or shortly after your child makes their First Communion.
Food. After the Church service, parents usually host a party to celebrate their child’s First Holy Communion. Renting out a banquet room in a restaurant can easily cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the amount of guests you have. Consider hosting the party in your own home or a relative’s home if space is a consideration. Do all the cooking yourself and rent sterno equipment from a local party store. Even if you cook half the food and cater the other half, you will be surprised at how much money you will save when compared to renting out a space in a restaurant. Keep your guest’s dietary needs and food preferences in mind and be sure to provide vegetarian and low sodium dishes and appetizers to please everyone.
Decorations. You don’t need to go overboard with the decorations. Some tasteful balloon bouquets and white candles on the tables are sufficient. A collage display of your child with pictures of your child on their Baptism day as well as pictures from the years leading up to their First Communion Day is also a lovely touch.
Cake. Many people head right to the bakery when ordering dessert for a special occasion. Your local supermarket undoubtedly has a bakery department and the quality can be just as high as that of a bakery. Ask around and if friends and neighbors have had positive experiences with ordering cakes and desserts from the supermarket bakery, place your order now. The choices in cake fillings and decorations will surprise you. The cost for a beautiful sheet cake will surely be less than bakery prices.
Your child’s First Holy Communion should be a joyous day shared with family and friends. The worry of affording a wonderful celebration of this milestone in your child’s life should not mar the day. Use these tips to thoroughly enjoy this special time in your family’s life without going into debt.
