In Poland, First Holy Communion (komunia) usually takes place in May, and godparents start thinking about a gift well in advance. That is understandable: the godmother and godfather are expected to give something special — a gift that will delight a child of eight or nine and, at the same time, stay with them for years. We have gathered classic and more personal ideas, with an honest look at the pros and cons, plus tips on how to combine one with the other.
This guide was written by the Kloniko team — we make figures from photos out of genuine LEGO® elements and frames with figures, so you will find our products here too. We describe them alongside other ideas, because a figure is not the best choice for every occasion. We do not give prices — they depend on the maker and change often.
A gift for now or a keepsake for years?
Communion gifts fall into two groups. The first is things that delight a child straight away: a bike, a scooter, a watch, a camera, a trip. The second is keepsakes that gain value over the years: something with the child’s name and the date of the ceremony, something the child will one day take to their own home. Godparents increasingly combine the two — a main gift ‘for now’ and a smaller keepsake, or an envelope of money and something to keep. It is also worth asking the parents what the child has already received or will get from the grandparents, so as not to duplicate gifts.
Classic gifts from godparents
- A watch. A first ‘real’ watch is a tradition that still works. An engraving with the date turns it into a keepsake.
- A bike or scooter. Lots of joy straight away, but in a few years the child will outgrow it.
- Jewellery. A chain with a medallion, a bracelet, earrings — lasting and linked to the day of the ceremony.
- A keepsake book. A children’s Bible, an album or a favourite series with a dedication from the godparents on the first page.
- Electronics. A smartwatch, a camera, an e-reader — practical, but worth agreeing with the parents first.
- Money. An envelope or a payment into the child’s account — convenient, but on its own it does not stay in the memory.
Personal ideas that last for years
- A ‘from christening to Communion’ album. Photos of the child with the godparents over the years, with short captions. It means going through the archive, but it is a gift like no other.
- A letter from the godparents. A few sentences about what this role means to you — in an envelope to be opened on the child’s eighteenth birthday.
- A shared experience. A trip, a workshop, a visit to a theme park — just the child with one or both godparents. It is nice to complement it with a photo or a souvenir from the day.
- An engraving with the name and date on a watch, a bracelet or a jewellery box.
- A composition with figures — the child next to the godparents or the whole family, with the name and date. We describe it below.
A frame with figures and a figure ‘just like me’
If the watch or bike is already taken care of, a good choice is a composition: a figure of the child in festive, light-coloured clothes next to the godparents or the whole family, in a frame, with the child’s name and the date of the ceremony on the background. The family dog or cat can stand alongside. A gift like this then hangs in the child’s room for years. If you would like the same keepsake to stay with you as well, we can make a second frame to the same design.
Children of Communion age love a figure in which they recognise themselves: the hairstyle, hair colour, festive outfit, shorter legs so that it looks like a child, and their favourite hobby in hand — a book, a guitar or a camera. A stand with the name and date can go under the figure. We assemble the figures from genuine LEGO® elements; they are about 4 cm tall and arrive assembled, in gift packaging.
Important note on symbols: we do not put religious symbols on figures, frames or stands. The mood of the occasion is conveyed by the figures’ light, festive outfits and by the name and date. If a symbol matters to you, pair the frame with a medallion or a keepsake book — together they make a set.
Keepsakes are often prepared in secret. In that case the photos can be taken from social media — the hairstyle, hair colour and overall style are enough. Only the person placing the order sees the design, and we can send the gift to a different address. It is a keepsake for a shelf, not a toy for rough play: the figures contain small parts and are not intended for children under 3, so it is best to keep younger siblings away from it.
Ideas compared
| Gift | Delights straight away | Lasts for years | Personal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engraved watch | yes | yes | somewhat | engraving takes time |
| Bike, scooter | very much | no — the child will outgrow it | no | agree with the parents |
| Jewellery, medallion | somewhat | yes | somewhat | a godparent classic |
| Electronics | very much | rarely | no | quickly becomes outdated |
| Money | yes | not as an object | no | best combined with a keepsake |
| ‘From christening to Communion’ album | somewhat | yes | very | quite a lot of work on your side |
| Frame with figures, name and date | yes | yes | very | no religious symbols |
When the parents thank the godparents
On Communion day, gifts also go the other way: the parents thank the godparents for years of being part of the child’s life. A frame works best here, with the child standing next to the godparents and their names and the date underneath. Two identical frames are often ordered at once — one for the godmother and one for the godfather.
When to buy the gift
In the weeks before the Communion season — in Poland, May — many families are looking for gifts at the same time, so it is worth starting earlier — especially with engraving, an album or made-to-measure items. With figures, agreeing the design takes the most time: you receive it for approval, and corrections are free and unlimited. After your ‘yes’ we usually ship the next working day, and delivery takes 1–3 working days within Poland and 2–6 working days elsewhere in the EU (other countries: cost confirmed before dispatch). If the date is close, there is a paid ‘Express shipping’ option in the basket, which gives your order priority in production.
Frequently asked questions
What is a suitable Communion gift from a godmother?
There is no single rule. Traditionally, godparents give a more lasting gift than the other guests: a watch, jewellery, a keepsake book or a shared experience. More and more often they combine it with a keepsake bearing the child’s name and the date of the ceremony.
Can the figures have a cross or another religious symbol?
No — we do not apply religious symbols. We convey the theme in a subtle way: the figures’ festive, light-coloured outfits and the name and date on the frame background or on a stand.
Can money be combined with a keepsake?
Yes, and it is a popular choice among godparents: an envelope towards the child’s dream plus something that will stay on the shelf — a frame, an engraved watch or a book with a dedication.
Formats, inscription examples and answers to questions about Communion keepsakes are gathered on the First Holy Communion gift page. If you are not sure which format to choose, send photos and a short description — a designer will suggest a composition and show you the design before production.
