This naïve solicitation of gifts is also practiced on the occasion of
the christening of the infant. An unmarried godmother may be preferred
because, having no children of her own, she is more able to make
handsome gifts at the time and to continue her contributions. One
young Russian girl, whose marriage with the father of her unborn child
was arranged by a social worker, asked the new friend to serve as
godmother, and then expected an outfit for the infant in christening
robes, little veils, and other articles, costing about $75.
Observers interested in customs in immigrant districts say that the
custom of soliciting gifts at christenings was modified during the
war. Among Polish families, for example, each guest used to make a
present in money to the child who was christened. During the last few
years it has become more and more customary for the collection to be
taken for the benefit of Polish war orphans. The amount collected is
then announced in the paper and serves as a source of prestige to the
family.
There are also numerous fête days and religious celebrations which
call for special expenditure. It is impossible to consider all these
here, but attention should be called to an important event in the
religious life; namely, the occasion of the first communion. The
expenses for the confirmation of a boy are not great. He usually has a
new suit and wears a flower in his buttonhole. He must have beads,
prayer book, and, if he is Polish, a candle.
One little Polish girl who made her first communion in the summer of
1919 had an outfit that cost her $30. This did not represent the
entire cost, as she had several parts of the outfit given to her; her
godmother made the dress, although the little girl herself furnished
the material; the veil with the wreath of flowers was given her by a
nun who had taken an interest in her, and the candle, which it is
still customary in Polish churches to carry, was given by a cousin who
is a nun. She had to buy the material for her dress, white slippers,
stockings, and long white gloves, beads, flowers, and photographs. If
she had herself borne all the expense, a minimum estimate of the cost
would be $50.