How much cash should I give for a first communion?

[johnnie]

I was chosen as godfather and it is his first communion. For the life of me I don't understand why I have been chosen for three kids already, but I have. The other two are my nephews. This one is a friend's son.
Is 30 bucks cool?

I'm a single guy who is quite far out of the loop of what is proper these days.
Thanks

[0007]

1. How much did you give to the other two communions?

[johnnie]

2. I don't remember

I am also more strapped these days for cash.

[Magrittes Pipe]

3. The kid's like, eight.

Give him five bucks. He'll be thrilled.

[johnnie]

6. I paid about that much for a card..lol

In any event... kids being thrilled with five bucks these days? Where have you been? These kids have more money these days than I have.

[Magrittes Pipe]

7. Damn.

I weep for my children. :cry:

[johnnie]

10. Don't weep for your children

Weep for your bank account. And if you want to be a parent "old school" then weep for all the bitchin' you will be putting up with.

[Magrittes Pipe]

11. Shit, I already get the bitchin'.

Oy.

[Lavender Brown]

4. My nephew asked me for a Pokemon game for his first communion

:D

[johnnie]

8. I haven't heard that word in a while

Is Pokemon still around?

[Lavender Brown]

12. I guess... he's pretty into it

[madrchsod]

5. 30 is fine

they must think you are a really nice guy and you have no other "commitments" so they choose you..you should be proud that they think this much of you!

[johnnie]

9. I am honored

I'm not much of a Christian, but I am fairly spiritual. And I do love kids. For some weird reason, the kids love me too..lol.

[Sanity Claws]

17. I think this is about right

This was the only message where I saw a specific sum that was within the reasonable range (Sorry Mr. $5 --- that is not enough). You might be able to get away with giving a $25 gift card, if you know for sure it's for a store that kid will shop.
Hey, just remember your god child may come back to help you when you are a dotty old man whose Social Security was stolen by you know who.

[johnnie]

18. I will need all the help I can get

I'm 40 right now and it looks like I won't be having any children of my own anytime soon.
So you might be right, I should invest in these kids now. Probably better than counting on my S.S.

[Bunny]

13. Are you one of the few practicing Catholics in your family?

I had a hard time getting godparents for both of my kids, because basically no one in my immediate family practices anymore (except my Mom, who isn't supposed to be a godmother to her own grandkids). My sister did the honors both times - I think her church attendance has dropped dramatically since then. My kids' babysitter stood up for both of them at Confirmation. I had practically no one left to choose from.

[johnnie]

15. No

I am one of the NON-practicing Catholics in the family. I don't know how I got in, but someone must have pulled strings..LOL.

[slackmaster]

14. I can get you ORDAINED for $30 - HELL YES it's enough

http://www.subgenius.com/scatalog/membership.htm

[johnnie]

16. I thought of doing that

Just to add it to my resume' of life. It would look great on my headstone. I would make people call me Reverend..just because I could. :)

[ernstbass]

19. I gave my nephew $20 last year

I am his godmother (don't know why - I'm rather Godless) I think $30 would be generous.

[johnnie]

20. Thanks

I am thinking about 20. I am so strapped these days, but then again... I don't want to give too little. I was just curious as to how much people are giving these days so I could then adjust my gift accordingly.

[Bunny]

24. $20 is fine.

It's perfectly appropriate.

[curse10]

21. 30 sounds good- maybe a small gift too?

I actually just had a conversation about this with a guy in our office. He's very catholic and has a ton of brothers and sisters. If he's just an uncle then they get cash- if he's also their godfather he also gets them a nice statue (something catholic, I don't know) with their communion date engraved on it or something. Sounds sweet.

[johnnie]

22. I thought of that

If I get time before tomorrow morning I might see if I can find something. Thanks.

[HEyHEY]

23. Enough for a playboy and some candy

[TheProphetess]

25. I think $30 is a generous gift

I still like the idea of savings bonds too. You can get a $50 bond by spending $25. Of course, that may be too "old school" but I liked getting bonds as a kid.

I think you're fine with the $25-$30 range, considering that you said money is tight right now. It's more about the person playing an important role in the child's life than about the specific amount of money spent on a gift, in my humble opinion. :)