What's the norm for Communions?

I know I am thinking way ahead since DD's communion isn't until next year (DH thinks I'm crazy) but I would like to have an idea of what to plan for. Most of my friends have younger kids so they aren't much help in this area. As a kid I remember my parents having a big party at the house. It was mainly geared towards adults with some of their friends' kids there. I am not sure yet of what kind of celebration I want to have for DD. I have different ideas so here are my questions:

- If you do it at home, do you get it catered, BBQ, cook? What kind of entertainment do you have?
- If you do it at a restaurant do you rent a private room? Is it just lunch or dinner? Is there entertainment?
- Do most people do just brunch or lunch after the communion?

TIA!

Re: What's the norm for Communions?

There isn't a "norm" for a communion party just what you are comfortable throwing. I've had a backyard party for 70 people, tent, catered food, kids entertainment. I've also done a sit down dinner at a resteraunt following the ceremony and I always loved the idea of a brunch celebration but my ceremony times were not early enough for that. I feel having a small intimate celebration for the occasion is just as nice as a full blown event. This year I'm having a small gathering approx. 25 people/10 kids in my home to celebrate following the ceremony. I will cater the food and have some kind of entertainment for the kids.

Re: What's the norm for Communions?

We're in the process of planning my daughter's Communion Party....perhaps I can help!
The church service is at 10:30, so we have a restaurant booked for 1pm that afternoon - private room. Figured we'd feed people, bring some music and dance a little, hang out, that sort of thing. We invited family....but since there aren't many kids in our family, I also invited some of her friends from school so that she'll have people to spend time with other than us.
My parents did ALL of our parties at our house....but they had a better house for parties than we do, and I'm lazy and didn't feel like cleaning the house before and after a party

Re: What's the norm for Communions?

It's really up to you. I did the bigger parties for my children's christenings, now it's communion time. And I booked a private room at a restaurant for 25 ppl. I'm actually looking forward to a more intimate affair.

What's the norm for Communions?

It all depends on what you can afford.

I'm on year 3 of 7 years in a row of communions with DH family. So far they have been at restaurants. Some are in private rooms, others are sectioned off but all finish by time dinner service starts. They have had DJ's, a magician, hula hoop contest, balloon characters and musical chairs.

I've had friends do their DC at a hall and just do hero's and make some pasta and a salad. They just had a DJ.

Majority of my family had backyard parties. The kids just played outside and entertained themselves.

Re: What's the norm for Communions?

We also had bigger christenings, except for #2.... She is a year younger than #1. For her we did a bigger 1st birthday but it was at home. #3's christening was at home but was big.

Now we enter communions. DS's is this year DD's next year. We are having it at home but only family. We are still having about 35 adults. I am catering the food but making all the desserts.

What's the norm for Communions?

My sister booked the place for my nephews party a year in advance.

What's the norm for Communions?

No norm. Do what you want. My family doesn't do parties but we have friends that have a huge party just because the kid pees!!!!

Re: What's the norm for Communions?

We're low key in general, so for all my DC's christenings and my DD's communion, we only had immediate family come over and we either booked a restaurant, ordered a few trays from a caterer or grilled. We've never had more than 20 people.

The way we view it, it's takes time out of people's day or weekend (depending on where they live) and it's an expense for them and us, so we try and keep it small and focus on the family.

Re: What's the norm for Communions?

You will get 10 different answers from 10 different people. We had planned a big party but the price tag put us off to that. We are having a small immediate family only brunch at a local restaurant. It still adds up to over 20 people.

You have to do what works for you.

Re: What's the norm for Communions?

Re: What's the norm for Communions?

Like others have said; there is no norm. My DD is making her communion this year & we booked a catering hall for about 80 people w/ DJ, photographer, etc.

We booked in September (but it's on a separate day than her church sacrament).

My brother's 2 girls had their communions the past 2 years & they just had lunch in a private room; no DJ, music, etc.

We're going to a few parties this year in backyards; catered.

What's the norm for Communions?

Thanks for all the input! I see that communion parties really vary. I would love to do a backyard affair but April/May is iffy and I definitely do not have the room to have about 25 people in my house. I feel like a restaurant is more intimate but I would have to find something for the children as far as entertainment. I am still on the fence. I know I have plenty of time to plan but I want to get an idea.Thanks for the ideas.

What's the norm for Communions?

Growing up dh and mine were just family at home....

But when we baptised our kids we had friends and family at our home.

Re: What's the norm for Communions?