Wasn't like that in our day. Cash flow for Communions has reached ridiculous levels with the money parents spend and the money the children receive far higher now than they used to be. Back when we made our Communion, we'd be happy with a €5 in a card but now it seems that just doesn't cut if for kids today. According to The Irish Times, the average amount that children receive is €546, compared with €543 last year. Even more shocking, the annual Ulster Bank Communion survey found that almost one in four children received more than €800 this year. In the run-up to the big day and for the day itself, spending rose by 12% with some people spending upwards of €836 per child. One common trend for the increase spent was due to the rental of bouncy castles, with parents admitting that they saved in order to afford the outgoings for the day. The rest of the money was allocated on food and drink for the day, along with other kinds of entertainment and clothing. For the outfits then, people were spending €176 on average which is only an increase of 1% on last years spend but makeup and hair for the girls was up 12% to €56. Makeup AND hair? We were lucky if we got our brushed on the morning of our Communion.