How to Plan a First Communion Party

The sacrament of Holy Communion, receiving Christ's blessing through bread and wine, is highly valued in all Christian churches and the day when a child is first allowed to receive it is considered quite significant. To plan the celebration for this momentous occasion is a big job, but breaking it down into smaller tasks can help.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Knowledge of church traditions regarding communion
• Guest list

Choose a Venue for the First Communion Party

1. Finalize a guest list to determine how big a space you'll need. Most professional venues use tables that seat between eight and twelve people, so a first communion party with fifty guests will require a space that can hold about five tables.
2. Consider a slightly bigger venue if you plan to hire a band or DJ. A place with some sort of stage would be ideal.
3. Decide whether or not games will be part of the first communion party. If the children will be doing balloon tosses or a treasure hunt, you might want to hold the party at a park or another open space where the children can be active.
4. Limit the guest list to close friends and family members if you plan to have the party at home.
5. Talk to your church about organizing a joint celebration if more than one child will be receiving his first communion. If so, the church might allow you to hold the reception on-site.

Plan a First Communion Party

6. Plan a First Communion party for a child of seven if the guest of honor is Catholic. This is the age at which most Catholic children receive their first communion.
7. Organize a party for with a slightly older feel if the guest of honor is Protestant. Most Protestant children receive their first communion sometime between the ages of eight and twelve.
8. Take into consideration the adults as well. Most first communion parties are attended by entire families, so that means guests of all ages will all need to be entertained.
9. Choose foods that will appeal to everyone at the party. For example, you can serve chicken strips for the younger kids, meatball subs for the older kids and baked rigatoni for the adults in attendance.
10. Serve cake and ice cream. White icing with a religious decoration and inscription is considered traditional.
11. Decorate the venue with religious themed decorations. White, the color of purity, should be the main color, but you can liven things up with a large brightly colored banner that urges God to bless the guest and honor her special day.

Tips & Warnings

• Children are not impressed by snowy tables linens and fancy crystal. A loving and personal celebration prepared by family, church and friends will mean much more to the guest of honor than a fancy catered party. Impress the adults some other time.
• Study up on your church's first communion traditions so you do not accidentally offend your guests, pastor or priest. For instance, many traditional Catholic families expect the guest of honor to wear white.

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