By Sharon Abercrombie
Staff writer

Is there a special, young First Communicant in your life? If so, there are many ways to help the child commemorate this momentous day.

Some of the mementos will likely take grandparents on a trip down nostalgia lane such as those lustrous mother of pearl prayer books once treasured by little Catholic girls. So are the black rosaries on which today’s grandpas learned to recite their Hail Marys and Our Fathers.

The passage of years, however, has brought contemporary additions to First Communion gifts.

Gold cross necklaces and bracelets are still available, but family and friends can also select a delicate, bejeweled white cross pendant at ($7.95) from Kaufer’s of San Francisco, or a First Communion stretch bracelet of glass beads set off with a delicate clay rose, metal crucifix and miraculous medal from Sagrada Oakland ($10.95).

Also at Sagrada is a painted Peruvian terra cotta angel holy water font for $12.95
For the treasure collecting boy, Kaufer’s offers a First Communion Commemorative wooden box, just perfect for holding that First Communion rosary ($14.95), his new cross ($2.50) or a key ring with a cross ($2.75). Kaufer’s also has First Communion dolls for $12.50.

Glad Tidings in Pleasant Hill is featuring two educational DVD’s especially geared to the big day — “The Eucharist for Little Children” ($14.95) and “First Communion” ($16.95). The store also offers a memento picture frame ($22) that has room for a child’s picture as well as space for party guests to sign.

A Little Peace of Heaven in Pinole has boys’ and girls’ Communion sets with a rosary, scapular, lapel pin and Mass prayer book ($22.95.). The store’s newest items are “Tales of Glory Action Figures” ($19.95). They talk. Jesus retells the story of feeding 5,000 hungry people and Mary recites her very own prayer, “The Magnificat.”

The book store at San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville is showcasing its First Communion Bibles that feature photos of biblical sites ($28).

St Gabriel Catholic Books and Gifts in Hayward has a large collection of rosary bracelets, rings, children’s books and crucifixes, in several price ranges.

The online store ComfyCozy.com features a Guardian Angel pillowcase ($16.95) featuring a smiling angel nestled in the clouds and surrounded by the moon and stars. When the lights go out, the angel and the Guardian Angel prayer glow in the dark. For an extra $2 the pillowcase can be personalized with the child’s name, First Communion date or special message.

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