Etiquette question
neverblushed
member
We have been invited to a a backyard cookout to celebrate DS's best friend's first communion. Guests are only expected to attend the cookout, not church. It's casual.
Normally for a backyard cookout, I'd assume I'm bringing a dish. For a baptism/first communion/confirmation celebration, my assumption is that the parents are throwing the bash to celebrate and honor the milestone in their child's religious life, and that I'm bringing a gift for the child, but not helping by bringing food.
2 questions:
--should I bring a dish? If so, any ideas? The child is allergic to nuts and eggs.
--I don't feel comfortable buying the child a religious gift, because we're not that close to the family. I still want to get him something to celebrate his milestone day. We've known him since he and my son were 4, and we like this kid and his family a lot. He's very smart and loves to read. He has a Kindle and an I-pod touch. Is an Amazon gift card okay in this situation?
Re: Etiquette question
And I would not bring food. If you wanted to I would ask if you can do anything to help.
IMO, don't bring a dish to pass... Typically it's the parents who take care of the food for an event such as this.
As for the gift, cash or a gift card to someplace the kiddo likes going to is the way to go unless you know something specific that the child is into... While religious gifts are great, there's a magic line that crosses into far too many.
ETA: Today I went shopping for something for DD's First Communion. I have to say I was about to cry while in the store because I actually WANTED to get her something religious (something nice and special from Mom/Dad), but my MIL has bought so many religious things for her that it's in the excessive level that I couldn't bring myself to purchase Anything for her!
Can you just ask 'hey, what should I bring?'
and you can always gift an age appropriate book