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Understanding Confirmation

A confirmation service is when a Christian reaffirms, or confirms, the promises that they made during their baptism. It is a very special and important landmark in any Christian girl’s life as she is publicly accepting the faith and recognising Jesus Christ as her Lord. It is a deeply solemn occasion and must be treated with an immense amount of respect and the girl getting confirmed be congratulated for reaffirming her faith.

It is generally held in a church where the local bishop or pastor will lay a hand over her head and seek God’s help to guide her in her chosen religious path. There is no set rule about when a girl can get confirmed, but since she is answering for herself, as a general guideline she must be over the age of 10 years and it doesn’t matter if she is 15 or 50 years old.

Significance of White Doves and the Colour Red

Often you will come across confirmation gifts bearing white doves and a red cross, both of which are important symbols of the sacrament associated with confirmation. Choosing to include these in your gift or buying her things with these symbols will make your present more auspicious for her. The white dove symbolises the Holy Spirit descending over the confirmation, the colour red invokes the red flames of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost seen as flames of red fire over the apostles’ heads. Buy her keepsake boxes, pieces of jewellery and crosses marked with these symbols for her confirmation.

10 Perfect Gifts for a Girl's Confirmation in 2019

Confirmation Photo Frame

Source www.amazon.in

Immortalise the moment she was confirmed with a beautifully framed picture that she can always keep with her. Important occasions such as this are usually well documented but if you are organising or even attending it, take a camera along and capture some nice moments during the ceremony. Every church has its own decorum so check beforehand if it will be alright to take pictures during the proceedings, and do so discreetly so as to not disturb the event. In the case you cannot take pictures inside, take a shot of her beaming face once she is done and frame that.

You can use a regular picture frame or one made specially for confirmation like this porcelain Enesco This is the Day by Gregg Gift Confirmation Horizontal Photo Frame. The handcrafted frame carries the symbolic cross, dove and flames, making it perfect for the occasion. Buy this for Rs.1,581 on Amazon.

Holy Bible

Source www.amazon.in

A copy of the Holy Bible is one of the best gifts to give a girl on her confirmation. The holy book is very dear to Christians and she will be delighted with such a present. Take note though, that every Christian home will have at least one copy and she too may have one of her own, so look for special editions, beautifully bound volumes or a very compact edition that she can carry with her. We suggest the Holy Bible: English Standard Version Anglicised Compact Edition that has a beautifully printed cloth hardcover decorated with a hearts and flowers design that will delight any girl.

Not only is this edition compact enough to slip into her bag, it is very good for personal reading. It is an accurate translation of the Bible in British English that makes it very readable. It also has a presentation page, a ribbon marker and an elastic fastener to keep the book from spilling open when carried in a purse or bag. Buy the hardcover for Rs.1,270 at Amazon; there is also a paperback version available for Rs.643.

A Unique Rosary

Source www.amazon.in

A newly confirmed girl is deeply invested in her faith and rosaries will be an important part of her worship. They are available in a multitude of pretty designs made from a variety of material and thus make wonderful presents. Give her this Winomo Christian Pearl Beads Rosary Necklace with Crucifix Keepsake that she can wear when not using. The beautiful rosary is made from good quality white pearls and a metal alloy. She will be very pleased to receive this as a gift on her confirmation. Buy it for Rs.1,895 on Amazon.

Glass Keepsake Box

Source www.gifts.com

Keepsake boxes are wonderfully useful things - they are perfect to hold and store small treasures, pieces of jewellery and more, and at the same time beautify a girl’s dresser or bedside table. Because of their utility, they tend to stick around for a while which is why they are so popular as gifts for many occasions. People often give keepsake boxes as confirmation presents to girls so she can keep her rosary and prayer book in it. This Glass Keepsake Box is highly recommended for its dainty charm.

A brushed metal beaded frame holds in place the pink quartz glass that forms this pretty jewellery box, its legs have protective felt pads on the bottom. The square box measures 3.5 inch x 3.5 inch and can be personalised with either a single letter etched on its lid, or a message of up to 18 characters. Buy this for about Rs.2,607 on gifts.com.

Personalised Jewellery

Source sunnydiamonds.com

It is customary to give a girl gifts of precious metal and stones on important and auspicious celebrations, and since her confirmation is a pretty important day, consider giving her jewellery to make this day. Across the globe pewter cross necklaces, mustard seed bracelets and birthstone rosary beads are favoured as confirmation gifts but you can also consider gold jewellery as it holds a special value for Indians because it is a lasting keepsake, and she will be delighted with a bracelet inscribed with a verse, a cross chain necklace or other such pieces.

You can further have these personalised with her name, the date of her confirmation and even a small message for her to make it extra special. This Allen Cross Pendant available on Bluestone is an ideal choice. Made of 18K gold it features two overlapping crosses, one studded with diamonds. The pendant comes without a chain and is priced at Rs.17,899. Buy it here.

Religious Symbols

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Religious symbols are most appropriate to give as gifts for a confirmation. People often give medals and necklaces of the patron saint chosen by the girl getting confirmed as gifts to guide her in her spiritual path. You can also consider giving her replicas of the Holy Cross, or metal and ceramic figurines of Jesus Christ.

The image of Jesus on the cross is one of the most important symbols in Christianity as it symbolises his victory over death, forgiveness and reminds followers He died for their sins. This Stonkraft Brass Christian Cross Jesus Christ Statue in Antique Finish is a good choice. Handcrafted in brass it weighs 980 gm. Buy it for Rs.1,095 on Amazon and it is sure to please her and become a permanent fixture in her room or at home.

Gold Coin for Good Luck

Source www.malabargoldanddiamonds.com

It is common practice to gift gold during auspicious occasions in India as the value attached to it is far greater than its monetary worth - gifting gold is considered to bring luck. Weddings, births, important landmarks, festivals and even baptisms and confirmations are marked with gifts of gold.

Gold coins are a good way to present this gift, luck aside, it will be an investment for her which she can later redeem to buy gold jewellery or save for a rainy day. You can buy a 999 Purity 8 Gms Rose Gold Coin from Malabar Gold and Diamonds for Rs.26,853. There are coins of other denominations and purity too to pick from.

Confirmation Poem

Source www.etsy.com

For a truly memorable gift, have a poem personalised and framed for her. Chances are many of the more popular gifts may be repeated and she ends up with lots of rosaries, copies of the Bible and idols so this will make your present stand out. If you know how to pen a few nice lines you can even make this yourself. Put it in a nice layout, decorate it and have it framed for her.

If you need help then try the Confirmation Gift Poem by Fox Creations Online on Etsy. There are standard 8x10 and 11x14 sizes available but you can have another size made. The print has a poem, the girl’s name and confirmation date, her picture and artwork. You can select the poem as well as the paper it is printed on though you will have to get it framed yourself as it does not come with a frame. Order it for about Rs.1,680 here.

Gold Angel Coins

Source www.uncommongoods.com

Similar to the place gold has in Indian tradition, pewter is associated with Christianity in other parts of the globe. An alloy of tin, antimony, copper and bismuth, it is considered a precious metal, falling behind platinum, gold and silver. The association began in the Middle Ages when it was used exclusively by the wealthy and in churches. Eventually it spread to the masses and was commonly used to make kitchenware, but the tradition to give gifts made of this metal continues. Hence you will find many confirmation gifts made of this bluish grey metal.

If this tradition appeals to you, or you think she will be charmed with a gift made from pewter, there are several options for you to consider. We suggest a set of 7 Gold Angel Coins, as a token of love and faith for her to carry each day of the week.

Made from pewter and plated with gold, each coin is stamped with a different image of an angel and is open to interpretations - she can choose to see them as symbols of faith, kindness, love or carry an angel coin to feel the watchful eye of a guardian angel on her. The coins come in a white organza pouch and retail for Rs.1,430 on Uncommon Goods.

Confirmation Porcelain Figurine

Source www.amazon.in

While everyone else is giving her figurines of Jesus on the cross or guardian angels to watch over her, give her something different to remind her of the time she was confirmed. Like this adorable Precious Moments Confirmed In Faith Girl.

The bisque porcelain figurine will be a lasting reminder from the precious day. In the moments soon after receiving the sacrament of confirmation, she would be filled with a strong glow of faith, and no matter how much her devotion is strengthened over the years, a physical reminder of that moment will return some of that joy each time she thinks back. The hand painted figurine stands 4.75 inches high and costs Rs.3,422 on Amazon.

Tips on Selecting Suitable Gifts for a Girl's Confirmation

  • Religious symbols
    There are seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, or important touchstones in a person’s life that impart spiritual grace, or ways in which Christians believe they receive God’s blessings, and confirmation happens to be one of them. Thus religious symbols such as rosary beads, a Bible or cross are all suited to be given as gifts to a girl on her confirmation. She is confirming her faith and promising to follow the tenets of Christianity and gifts that congratulate this affirmation of faith, as well as help her stay on her chosen path are most appropriate.

  • Memorable keepsakes
    This is a very important day in her life, indeed one of the most momentous days as a Christian girl so gifts that create a lasting memory for her will be highly appreciated. Gifts on this day are a way to support her spiritual quest, cement the memory in her mind, and also serve as reminders of the promises she makes on this day. Give her something she can hold on to and cherish for years to come. Items of jewellery, prayer books or posters, and a beautifully framed picture of her first communion will make for wonderful gifts.

  • Personalised gifts
    Remember there is no given age at which a girl has to be confirmed, keep the theme in mind but buy things that will be suitable for her age. A lovely prayer book may not appeal the same way to a child of 10 years as it will to a grown woman, and though she may rediscover and value it years later, it is a better idea to give her something that captivates her in the present. Confirmation jewellery, keepsake boxes, figurines and rosaries are very popular as gifts for girls and can be easily customised with her name, date and a message - as lovely as these may be, select items that will appeal to the girl you are shopping for. If you don’t know much about her, use her age as a reference point.

Difference Between Baptism and Confirmation

For those not in the know about the Christian faith may be confused between baptism and confirmation and if you have been invited to a girls confirmation, it’s best you understand the significance of the ceremony you will be witnessing, and take along an appropriate gift.

Baptism often happens when the person is an infant or a toddler, though again, there is no restriction on the age at which Christians can get baptized. She must, however, be baptized before she can be confirmed. Baptism is a sacrament, proof of God’s love. Often called christening, it is the ceremonial induction of a person into the Christian faith using water, the way Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river. Different arms of Christianity differ on several points of faith but they mostly all agree on the importance of baptism.

When a child is brought for baptism, the priest makes the sign of the cross on her head, pours water over its head to wash her of past sins and make way for a new life with God, and finally she will receive a lighted candle, signalling the light of Jesus entering her life. Since baptism is done soon after birth, the baby’s godparents make promises on her behalf to accept the Christian faith. This is where the difference lies. Confirmation is when she is old enough to recognise those promises and confirm them for herself.

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From our editorial team

Traditional Gifts Aren't Compulsory

It is a spiritual day but that doesn't mean you have to give a girl the traditional religious gifts on her confirmation. If everyone you know is giving her the usual, you can opt to give her something completely unrelated that she will enjoy. It is an important day for her and she deserves to be congratulated, so any present that does will be appropriate. A girl can use only so many religious idols, rosaries and prayer books, so feel free to think outside the box.