What do godparents give for a First Holy Communion?

Most often a cross or medal with an engraving, a children's Bible or a prayer book. Godparents are carrying on the role they took on at the christening, so a more lasting gift is expected from them than from other guests.

How much money should you give for a First Holy Communion?

There is no fixed rule. Godparents and grandparents usually give more than other relatives. More important than the amount is writing down what the money is for, so the child ends up with something to show for it.

What should you write in a First Holy Communion card?

Two or three sentences are enough: the child's name, a wish (joy, courage, closeness to God), your signature and the date. You'll find ready-made messages in the section with inscriptions to copy above.

Does a child need a godparent for First Communion?

No. A godparent has no formal role at First Holy Communion; that belongs to baptism and confirmation. Christening godparents are still traditionally invited, though, and they usually bring a gift.

Is a non-religious gift suitable for a First Holy Communion?

Yes, as long as it lasts and carries an inscription with the date — a watch, a book or a piece of jewellery, for example. Everyday toys that have nothing to do with the day are less fitting.

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First Holy Communion: gifts, card messages and inscriptions

25/09/2026

What godparents, parents and grandparents give for a First Holy Communion, inscriptions to copy, and how to tie the gift to a memory of the day.

First Holy Communion: gifts, card messages and inscriptions

Quick answer

For a First Holy Communion, people mostly give lasting gifts with a spiritual or keepsake meaning: godparents traditionally a cross, a medal or a children's Bible; parents the candle, the outfit and a celebration lunch; grandparents rosary beads, a prayer book or a contribution towards something bigger. What matters more than the item itself is a short inscription with the date, the name of the church and a signature — that is what turns a gift into a keepsake the child will still take out twenty years from now.

When First Holy Communion happens and why the gift matters

Church law says only that children who have reached the "use of reason" should be properly prepared and, after their first confession, receive Communion as soon as possible (canon 914). In practice the age, the length of preparation and the date vary from parish to parish, and the exact day is set by the parish priest, so you usually know it several months ahead.

For a child, this is the first sacrament they experience consciously — they don't remember their christening, but here they will remember the outfit, the candle, who sat in the pew and what they were given. That is why the day calls for things that won't vanish in the next clean-out: something they can wear, read or one day put on display. A toy they could just as well get for their birthday feels out of place here.

Who gives what: godparents, parents and grandparents

Who	What is typically given	Why this	What to watch out for
Christening godparents	A cross or medal on a chain, a children's Bible, an engraved keepsake	They are following on from the promise they made at the christening — the gift continues that role	Check whether the child already got a Bible at the christening; a second identical one won't delight anyone
Parents	The special outfit, the candle, a family celebration, perhaps a watch or a bracelet	Parents prepared the child and are organising the day	Ask the parish about the outfit and candle — some want everyone dressed alike or in an alb
Grandparents	Rosary beads, a prayer book, a picture for the child's room, money with a clear purpose	They often pass on a family tradition — their own rosary or a favourite prayer	Cash in an envelope disappears into the household budget; write down what it is for
Other relatives and friends	A card with a message, a small holy picture, a book	A small token is enough; the main gifts belong to the closest family	Don't outdo the godparents — an expensive gift from an aunt feels out of place

First Holy Communion gifts by type

Cross or medal
The classic gift from godparents. For a young child, choose a short chain and a smaller pendant that won't catch on a jumper. Have the name and date engraved on the back — the engraving is what turns a chain into a keepsake. For more on what to engrave, see the article jewellery with a name and date.
Rosary beads
A child's rosary in wood or colourful beads is more practical than a silver one — the child will actually use it. A silver one makes sense as a family piece "for later" that they put away.
Children's Bible or prayer book
For children of this age, choose an edition with longer texts, not the board book from the christening. Prayer books written especially for children after their First Communion, with prayers for before and after Communion, work well.
Candle
In some places children carry their christening candle, elsewhere the parish provides matching candles for everyone. Ask before you buy a decorated candle that ends up staying in its box.
A book with the child as the main character
If you want a gift that gets read and also recalls this particular time, you can give a book where the hero looks like that very child. The inscription in it carries the same weight as the engraving on a cross.
Money with a purpose
An envelope is fine, just add a note saying what it is for: a bike, a holiday camp, a savings account. Without that, the money melts into the shopping and the child has nothing to show for it.

First Holy Communion messages: inscriptions to copy

From a godparent (for a cross or Bible)

"Dear Annie, at your christening I promised to walk beside you. Today you received Jesus for the first time and I am so proud of you. May this cross remind you that you are never alone. Your godmother Jane, 16 May 2027, St James's Church."

From Grandma and Grandpa (with rosary beads)

"Dear Thomas, these rosary beads are for your First Holy Communion. Pray with them when you are happy and when you are sad. We pray for you every day. Love, Grandma and Grandpa"

From parents (in a prayer book)

"Our dear Tess, today you took a step you spent the whole year preparing for. We wish that God's closeness gives you courage and peace. We love you very much. Mum and Dad"

A short card message

"On your First Holy Communion we wish that Jesus walks with you on every path and that you always remember this day with joy."

From a relative who doesn't go to church

"Dear Oliver, wishing you lots of joy on your big day. May you remember this celebration as the day the whole family came together because of you. Uncle Paul"

How to link the gift to a memory of the day

1
Write down the facts on the day
The date, the church, the priest's name, who stood with the child at Communion and what was read. In ten years nobody will recall it, and it is exactly these details that make a memory concrete.
2
Ask about photos in advance
Many parishes allow only one appointed photographer during Mass, so parents aren't walking up and down the aisle. Arrange photos from them and take your own of the child outside the church after Mass.
3
Let the child write a few lines
In the evening after the celebration, ask what they remember most about the day and write it down in their own words. Those lines end up more precious than any card from the grown-ups.
4
Keep the keepsakes in one place
Put the candle, the card from the preparation classes, the picture from the priest and the messages into one box. How to put it together so it lasts for years is covered in the article on a time capsule and a letter to the future.
5
Hand over the gift at the celebration
In church the child's hands are full with the candle and their head is full of what's happening. Gifts belong at lunch or in the afternoon at home, where there is calm and time to read the inscription aloud.

A personalised book as a First Communion gift

A book where the main hero looks like the child receiving it suits this day because it brings two things together: a gift to read and a personal keepsake. The illustrations are created from a single uploaded photo, so the hero looks just like that particular child, and the child's name is woven into the story. Before you pay, you'll see a suggested title, a sample of the story and the dedication, where you can add the date and the name of the parish. How these books are made is covered in the article Personalised book: how it is made and why it lasts a child for years.

The digital book costs A$11.99 and is usually ready in about 15 minutes; the printed hardcover is A$54.99. For the printed book allow 7 working days for delivery, so order with time to spare before the Communion date. And if you're unsure what to write in the dedication, the article Book dedications: what to write, messages to copy and common mistakes will help — and when you write the child's name in the possessive, the Australian Government Style Manual adds 's even after an s: "For Thomas's First Communion".

Sources

Code of Canon Law, Book IV, canons 879–958 (vatican.va) — Canon 914 on preparing children and first confession before First Communion.
Australian Government Style Manual — Guidance on writing the possessive of a name in a dedication ("James's book") and on using the Macquarie Dictionary.
2021 Census — Religious affiliation in Australia: 43.9 % Christian (Catholic 20.0 %, Anglican 9.8 %) and 38.9 % with no religion.