First Communion gifts in Spain: what to give and how much to spend
It depends on how close you are. A classmate or a family friend does well with €20 to €35; close relatives usually go higher, and godparents and grandparents give the big present. There is no official figure.
First Communion (primera comunión) is almost always celebrated between April and June, at age 8, 9 or 10. It is the first time many children get ‘grown-up’ presents, which is why the usual toys fit less well than something that will last.
How much to spend
The figures that circulate in the media contradict each other and none comes from a serious study. As a pointer, and only as a pointer:
| Who is giving | Usual range | What it tends to be |
|---|---|---|
| A classmate | €20 to €35, or a share of a joint present | A game, a book, a small gift with meaning |
| Family friends | €20 to €60 | A present or an envelope of money (sobre) |
| Aunts, uncles and close relatives | €35 to €60, or more | A present that lasts |
| Godparents and grandparents | The main present | A watch, a bicycle, a camera, a trip |
If there is a sit-down meal, many invited families try to make sure their present or envelope covers at least the cost of their own places at the table. It is a custom, not an obligation, and the hosts should not expect it of anyone.
A present or an envelope
The envelope is practical, and parents usually put it aside for the child. A present is remembered. If you are unsure, a common combination is a small present linked to their hobby plus an envelope.
On money and the tax office (Hacienda): cash gifts are, in theory, donations subject to the relevant tax in each autonomous community (region). If the amount is significant, consult an adviser; we do not give tax advice here.
What to give if you do not want to give money
- Something ‘grown-up’ they will use every day: a watch, a good rucksack, a wallet.
- Something for their hobby: a telescope or a microscope, an instant camera, an instrument, a big building set.
- Something to share: a family board game of the kind that lasts for years.
- Something to read: the first books of a series, in a nice edition.
The presents that get duplicated most
Watches, cameras and globes. Before buying one, ask the parents or the godparents; it is not bad manners and it avoids three watches on the same table.
If you are several families
A joint present from the class, worth more, usually goes down better than ten separate small ones. With the same outlay per family you can reach a camera or a big building set.
