We are invited to a party this weekend which is celebrating the son's confirmation and at the same time will be a send-off for the dad who is deploying for a year. Our faith does not have confirmations and I'm uncertain - is this a gift giving occasion? If so, what is an appropriate gift? What about the deployment? I'm thinking maybe a restaurant gift certificate for mom and dad to use before he leaves...but not sure what the protocall is on this. Thanks!
Thanks for your thoughts. We went with cash for the confirmation and a restaurant gift certificate for the dad.
Mormon? What a momentous occasion! Near anything religious (no crosses if it is an LDS confirmation). I got a picture of the second coming and had it for ever. A new set of scriptures is always nice, but he might get a new copy from his family.
For the parents, defiantly a restaurant gift card! They need all the time together as possible.
A gift for the son is nice but not necessary - depends on how close you are. I find boys a little more challenging to buy for a confirmation (since a nice bracelet or pendant doesn't seem to fit), so I usually do a savings bond. I've seen some nice plaques and frames that are appropriate, but you would probably need to go to a store that has specialty religious items. If you know his confirmation name (some religions permit the confirmant to choose a special name for the occasion), you could get something that highlights the name or explains its derivation/significance...
As for Dad, it depends how quickly he's shipping out. One idea is a gift certificate to a portrait place - they could have a family photo taken before he leaves so he has a nice one to take with him. If there's not much time (for the photo or the dinner out), what about one of those recordable story books? I know they seem more appropriate for little kids, but I think all ages appreciate hearing the voices of the ones they love...
For the kid yes its a gift giving thing. I would go with cash or a savings bond. for the dad I second the gift card so they can spend some time alone before he leaves.
My exes grandpa gave him a pair of stilts for his conformation.
My kids mostly got cash except god parents, they gave them something symbolic.
For the kid I would give cash.
For the deploying dad, I would do an International phone card, or cash, or a care package of goodies.
