How to Select an Appropriate Coming-of-Age Gift
Most religions and cultures have their own unique ways of celebrating young girls' and boys' rites of passage--the coming-of-age milestones that mark their transition from children to young men and women. Celebrate their new status in society with a special gift.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Quincean~era
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1
Celebrate coming-of-age in the Hispanic tradition when 15-year-old girls vow faithfulness to church and family, then are treated like princesses at elaborate celebrations.
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2
Pick out a gold ring or buy a traditional tiara to symbolize the celebrant's entrance into womanhood.
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3
Choose religious items such as a Bible with blank pages for dedications; or a rosary, cross or Lady of Guadalupe necklace.
Bar and bat mitzvah
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1
Say "Mazel tov!" at Jewish coming-of-age rituals. The day marks the first time the bar mitzvah boy (age 13) or bat mitzvah girl (age 12) is called to the Torah to recite a blessing over the weekly reading. The celebration that follows usually includes a festive meal at a synagogue, restaurant or banquet hall.
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2
Follow the tradition of giving cash in multiples of 18. (Each letter in the Hebrew alphabet corresponds to a number, and the two letters that form chai, "life" in Hebrew, add up to 18.)
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3
Give a gold or silver symbol on a chain--a chai, chamsa (Hebrew for "the hand of God," to ward off the evil eye), or Star of David. Buy a mezuzah, a small case with a prayer scroll inside, for the boy or girl's home.
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4
Buy Israel bonds (israelbonds.com) or plant a tree in Israel (jnf.org).
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5
Book a memorable trip to Israel for the child. Many bar or bat mitzvah ceremonies are performed there as well.
Confirmation
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1
Celebrate the conferring of the Holy Spirit to 13-year-old girls and boys. These are smaller-scale events, but still important in the Catholic church.
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2
Monogram or inscribe a white prayer book, or engrave a silver rosary bracelet. Engrave a silver frame with the child's name and date and put a commemorative photograph or keepsake invitation inside.
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3
For girls, treat the celebrant in her traditional white dress to a professional portrait, a manicure/pedicure or a grown-up hairdo for the big day.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Gifts of cash can be set aside for college or a large purchase.
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Comments
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Mary
Mar 02, 2007
The age a child makes his/her confirmation varies from parish to parish. Sometimes churches hold confirmation ceremonies every two years. Most kids in the US that make their confirmation these days are in high school. There are some cultures that prefer to confer the sacrament of confirmation at Baptism in infancy. If you know anything about the education involved in the process this may seem absurd but it is just an example of the range in ages for the sacrament. -
Mary
Mar 02, 2007
The age a child makes his/her confirmation varies from parish to parish. Sometimes churches hold confirmation ceremonies every two years. Most kids in the US that make their confirmation these days are in high school. There are some cultures that prefer to confer the sacrament of confirmation at Baptism in infancy. If you know anything about the education involved in the process this may seem absurd but it is just an example of the range in ages for the sacrament.
