First Holy Communion FAQs

First Holy Communion FAQs: costs, timing and traditions

The questions UK families ask in the months before a First Holy Communion, answered in order: age and preparation, what the day costs, and the traditions behind the dress, the veil and the gifts.

Communion is usually in May, so the honest answer to most timing questions is "earlier than you think".

Communion cards and keepsakes

Blank-inside cards so you can write to the child, plus candles, prints and coasters. Rosaries, missals and medals aren't ours - a Catholic gift shop is the right place.

A typographic music print featuring Taylor Swift Bejewelled lyrics on high-quality paper, unframed. Best Believe I'm Still Bejewelled By Taylor Swift Music Lyrics Print £8.00 Unframed wall art print featuring the text 'In A World Of Grey, Be A Flamingo' in colourful, vibrant lettering. In A World Of Grey, Be A Flamingo Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 A colourful typographic wall art print with the quote 'I work hard so that my dog can live a better life' in A4 or A3. I Work Hard So That My Dog Can Live A Better Life Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 A colourful fitness wall print illustrating the HYROX competition race format with running and functional workout steps. Hyrox Competition Race Format Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 Pack of 6 Minimalist Wooden Drinks Coasters Pack of 6 Minimalist Wooden Drinks Coasters £4.50 All You Need Is Love / Love Is All You Need Print (A5 - A3) All You Need Is Love / Love Is All You Need Print (A5 - A3) £8.00

Shop communion cards

Costs at a glance

  • Preparation classes: usually free through the parish, occasionally a small materials fee.
  • Dress and veil: £40 to £150; suits £40 to £120. Second-hand and handed-down is very common.
  • Shoes and accessories: £20 to £60.
  • Photographs: £80 to £250 for a studio session, or free with a briefed relative.
  • Party food for 25: £100 to £250, or £60 done yourselves.
  • Typical UK total: £300 to £800, depending entirely on the outfit and the party.

Timing at a glance

  • Age: most children make their First Holy Communion at seven or eight, in Year 3.
  • September: enrolment through the parish or Catholic school for the following May.
  • Autumn to spring: weekly or fortnightly preparation classes, plus first confession.
  • Six weeks before: outfit bought, and the restaurant or hall booked if you're having a party.
  • Two weeks before: buy the cards - local shops sell out by mid-May.
  • The day: usually a Saturday morning in May, service around an hour with the whole group.

Traditions worth knowing

  • White dresses and veils echo baptismal white - the link back to the christening gown is deliberate.
  • First confession comes before First Communion, usually a few weeks earlier.
  • The candle and the missal are given to be kept, often reused at confirmation.
  • A rosary, cross or first bible is the traditional gift from godparents.
  • Money in a named envelope is the most common gift of all and nobody thinks it lazy.
  • The photograph outside the church afterwards is the one that ends up framed.

Cards for the day

Blank inside so you can write your own message. Posted first class.

Illustration of two large pints of stout next to a tiny baby stout with text "Two's a couple, three's a family". Two's A Couple, Three's A Family (Guinness Congrats On The New Baby Card) £3.87 Illustration of a smiling graduate in a cap and gown on a congratulations graduation card for him. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Him £3.87 Graduation card for her featuring a cheerful illustrated character wearing a black graduation cap and gown. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Her £3.87 Practise Your Dad Jokes (Dad To Be New Baby Card) Practise Your Dad Jokes (Dad To Be New Baby Card) £3.87 Future Dad Fuel (Dad To Be New Baby Card) Future Dad Fuel (Dad To Be New Baby Card) £3.87 Cheers M'dears Congratulations Card Cheers M'dears Congratulations Card £3.75 It's a Boy New Born Baby Duck Card It's a Boy New Born Baby Duck Card £3.91 It's a Boy New Born Baby Card It's a Boy New Born Baby Card £3.91

Keepsakes you can date

Candles, prints and coasters, designed in house and printed in the UK.

Colourful typography poster featuring the text You're Gonna Hear Me Roar from Katy Perry's song, unframed music print. You're Gonna Hear Me Roar Poster (Music Lyric Print) £8.00 Graphic music lyric print featuring a giant open mouth and lyrics from Lola Young's song Messy. Cause I'm Too Messy And Then I'm Too Fucking Clean (Music Lyric Prints) £8.00 Taylor Swift Who's Afraid of Little Old Me lyric print featuring minimalist black typography on a white background. Whose Afraid Of Little Old Me By Taylor Swift Music Lyrics Print £8.00 "Let It Be" Beatles lyric print featuring a guitar illustration and song lyrics, displayed as unframed wall art. "Let It Be" By The Beatles Inspired Music Lyrics Print (Guitar) £8.00 Humorous wall art print featuring four lined-up pints of Guinness stout and the text 'line. them. up.' with a white border. Line Them up Guinness Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 Colourful quote print featuring the text "If you're reading this then I love you, ok?" in bold, stylish typography. If You're Reading This Then I Love You, Ok? Quote Print (A4 & A3) £8.00 Square drinks coaster with the humorous text Relax I Have a Spreadsheet For That, ideal gift for office colleagues. Relax I Have a Spreadsheet For That Funny Drinks Coaster £3.75 Motivational wall art print featuring the inspiring quote, "You're right where you're meant to be". You're Right Where You're Meant To Be Quote Print £6.00

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

What age is First Holy Communion?

Seven or eight in the UK - Year 3 - once a child is judged old enough to understand the sacrament.

How long does communion preparation take?

About an academic year. Enrolment is usually in September for a ceremony the following May, with classes through the autumn and spring.

How much does a First Holy Communion cost?

£300 to £800 for a typical UK family in 2026. The outfit is £40 to £150 and the party is the rest; the preparation and service themselves are normally free.

When is First Holy Communion held?

Usually a Saturday morning in May, with the whole class making their communion together at one service lasting around an hour.

What do children wear for First Holy Communion?

Girls traditionally wear a white dress and veil, boys a suit or shirt and tie. Many parishes now ask for simple white to keep costs down, and handed-down outfits are common.

Does first confession come before First Communion?

Yes. Children make their first confession a few weeks before, as part of the same preparation programme.

How much do you give for a First Holy Communion?

Guests £15 to £30, wider family £20 to £40, godparents £30 to £75 and grandparents £50 to £100. Money in a named envelope is entirely normal.

What are traditional communion gifts?

A rosary, missal, cross, first bible or a piece of jewellery. We make cards, candles, prints and coasters rather than devotional items.

Do you have to be Catholic to attend a communion?

No. Guests of any faith or none are welcome at the service; only those who have made their communion receive the host.

What do you write in a communion card?

Write to the child, not the parents - they read every card. Name the day, say you're proud, and add the date under your name.