What gift should I buy for a First Communion?

When I was a little girl, children were given gold jewelry, religious items, and money for their First Communion. Boys sometimes received a watch, and bicycles were also popular. The next day, everyone would talk about what they had received. That hasn't changed. What has changed, however, are preferences, and today, instead of bicycles, advanced electronics are very popular among children. Money and jewelry are also still in fashion. 

Should you make your child happy when they are young or when they grow up?

Of all the gifts I received for my First Communion, I was most excited about the electronic piano. I got bored with it after a month. However, ten years later, I used the money I received at that time to buy a decent computer, which was essential for my studies. Looking back, I obviously think it was a much better gift. Money has only one drawback. It's easy to spend, and not every child has the determination to save it until they grow up. That's why equivalents such as gold or silver are a great idea.

GOLD AND SILVER

Gold and silver are more difficult to spend on a new gadget than cash. If only because you have to convert them into cash first. Precious metals are also an investment, so there is a good chance that over time they will increase in value more than money in a bank deposit. Small gold bars can be purchased for as little as PLN 200. Bars are available in several different sizes (weights), so you can easily purchase a bar of the appropriate value. Silver, as a cheaper precious metal, is available in large bars. A silver bar worth approx. PLN 3,000 weighs as much as 1 kg. It is not a very practical gift, but it is certainly very impressive. A gold bar of similar value weighs only 20 g. Gold is therefore much more convenient. Silver and gold coins, e.g., with a koala, panda, kangaroo, or other animal, are a great gift for children. Silver coins are available from approx. PLN 100, and gold coins from approx. PLN 500. Such coins are simply prettier than bars, especially from a child's point of view.

JEWELRY FOR GIRLS

What girl wouldn't be happy to receive jewelry? Earrings are the best gift. Why? Earrings are basically essential for adult women. Long, impressive, and sparkling, they are the perfect accessory for an evening out. Short, non-dangling, without sparkling stones, they are required for business attire (if the woman has pierced ears). It is therefore difficult to find a better gift. A necklace is also a good choice. It has the advantage over earrings in that it is more versatile. Among jewelry, a ring is the most risky choice. For one simple reason: we cannot predict what size the girl will wear in a few years, and it is not always possible to change the size.

JEWELRY FOR BOYS

A boy will eventually become a grown man. And a grown man who wants to look good in business situations needs two things besides a suit: a watch and cufflinks. A watch is essential. An elegant watch costs at least a few thousand, so many young men can only afford one after several years of work. So why not buy a boy a watch as a gift that he can wear to his first job interview? As I mentioned, a watch is a big expense. However, if we follow this line of thinking, there is also a cheaper option - cufflinks. Cufflinks are classy, and because they are not very popular, the man wearing them stands out from the crowd. Elegant cufflinks can be bought for as little as PLN 100. It will certainly be an original gift.

CROSS AND MEDAL

Devotional items are traditional gifts of a symbolic, spiritual nature. Children usually receive them at baptism, although they can also be given at First Communion.

Is it better to make a small child happy or give them a gift that will make their adult life easier? I would go for the latter or choose two smaller gifts: one for the child now and one for when they grow up.

I also invite you to visit my blogat www.wczerni.pl, where I discuss formal attire for this special occasion.

Agnieszka Sajdak-Nowicka

www.wczerni.pl