Confirmation FAQs

Confirmation FAQs: costs, timing and traditions

Confirmation is the milestone the teenager chooses for themselves, which changes the tone of everything around it - the gifts, the party and the card.

Below: what it costs in the UK, how the timing works in Catholic and Anglican churches, and the traditions behind the sponsor, the name and the bishop.

Confirmation cards and keepsakes

Blank-inside cards with room for a proper message, plus candles, prints and coasters. Bibles, crosses and medals aren't ours.

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

Shop confirmation cards

Costs at a glance

  • Preparation classes: normally free through the parish.
  • Outfit: £40 to £120, or nothing if they wear school uniform or their own smart clothes.
  • Meal out for the family afterwards: £15 to £35 a head.
  • Party at home for 20: £80 to £200.
  • Gifts: £20 to £75 is the usual range from family.
  • Typical UK total: £150 to £500 - much lower than a christening or communion.

Timing at a glance

  • Catholic confirmation in England and Wales: usually 13 to 16, though some dioceses confirm younger.
  • Church of England: usually from around 11 upwards, with adults confirmed at any age.
  • Preparation: two to nine months of classes, depending on the parish.
  • The bishop's visit sets the date, so the parish often can't confirm it until a few months ahead.
  • Six weeks before: outfit, sponsor confirmed, and any meal booked.
  • Two weeks before: buy the card and write it properly - this one gets kept.

Traditions worth knowing

  • The bishop confirms, laying hands on each candidate - which is why dates depend on his diary.
  • Catholic candidates choose a confirmation name, usually a saint whose life they admire.
  • A sponsor stands with them, often a godparent, sometimes a different adult they chose themselves.
  • Anointing with chrism oil on the forehead is the moment itself.
  • Red is the colour of confirmation - the Holy Spirit - and often appears in the church, not the outfit.
  • Gifts lean grown-up: a watch, a proper pen, a bible, or money towards something they're saving for.

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 Future Dad Fuel (Dad To Be New Baby Card) Future Dad Fuel (Dad To Be New Baby Card) £3.87 Practise Your Dad Jokes (Dad To Be New Baby Card) Practise Your Dad Jokes (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 confirmation in the UK?

Catholic confirmation is usually 13 to 16 in England and Wales; the Church of England confirms from around 11, and adults at any age.

How long does confirmation preparation take?

Two to nine months of classes depending on the parish, ending with the bishop's visit.

How much does confirmation cost?

Far less than a christening or communion - typically £150 to £500 including an outfit, a meal or small party and gifts. The preparation and service are normally free.

What does a confirmation sponsor do?

They stand with the candidate, put a hand on their shoulder during the anointing, and act as a mentor afterwards. Often a godparent, but the candidate can choose someone else.

Why do you choose a confirmation name?

Catholic candidates take the name of a saint they admire, as a patron for the next stage of their faith. It isn't a legal name change.

What do you wear to a confirmation?

Smart clothes - many parishes ask for school uniform or plain smart dress. Guests wear what they'd wear to a Sunday service.

How much do you give for a confirmation gift?

£20 to £75 from family is usual. Grown-up gifts land best: a watch, a pen, an inscribed book, or money towards something they're saving for.

Can adults be confirmed?

Yes. Adult confirmation is common in both the Catholic and Anglican churches, usually after a course such as RCIA or an Anglican equivalent.

Do you need to be baptised before confirmation?

Yes - confirmation completes what baptism began. Adults who aren't baptised are usually baptised and confirmed at the same service.

What do you write in a confirmation card?

Acknowledge that this one was their choice. Say what you admire in them, keep the religious wording to what you actually believe, and sign it with the date.