Party planning is my life. Seriously, I live for the moments I can send out my carefully crafted, handwritten invitations to request the presence of my closest friends and family. Then I prepare for the spectacular by decorating my living room and kitchen with bright pink and soft yellow streamers, balloons and centerpieces. And as I wait for the first guest to arrive I anxiously pace about the house, straightening picture frames and dusting bookcases.
Ding dong! As the party members file into my home I greet them all with tiny presents. I couldn’t decide between Catholic gifts and books, so I went with hand-embroidered towels. Providing each guest with a party favor is an important tradition in my family. We feel it’s necessary to honor a friendship with a token of lasting love and appreciation. And handing out gifts is always a crowd pleaser.
First Communion is one of the best known sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. It represents a huge progression for a child in the eyes of the congregation. This is because the First Communion is a young person’s first opportunity to receive the Eucharist. According to Catholic tradition, the Eucharist literally consists of the body and blood of Christ as represented by bread and wine.
As is the case with many Catholic sacraments, First Communion is a time of celebration that may involve elaborate parties. Many adherents put a lot of thought and effort into the selection of a suitable First Communion gift. The occasion is less important in some Protestant denominations, but it remains a staple of Catholic social gatherings.
Votive candles have played an intrinsic part in the Catholic faith for many years. These small candles are simple in their design – generally they are made of white, unscented wax – but their history of use during religious ceremonies is complex indeed. The candles are typically placed before and image of the Virgin Mary or Jesus. In Europe, votives are a staple of side chapels.
For the devout Catholics in your life, votive candle holders make thoughtful religious gifts. They add a bit of pizzazz to the simplistic beauty of votives, and candle holders remain useful for years. You never know, your gift might just inspire a friend or family member to light a candle in your honor.