A christening gift is unwrapped twice: on the day itself by the parents, and years later by the child, who will then want to know who it's from. Anyone looking for one usually has three questions: what to give at all, how much to spend, and how to avoid the same gift arriving twice.
For a christening, the most popular gift is an engraved piece of jewellery: a bracelet or a fine necklace with the child's name and the date of the christening, plus a guardian angel, a cross or the birthstone of the month. Bracelets are worn straight away, while necklaces are usually kept for later. Godparents usually spend between 50 and 150 euros, other guests between 20 and 60 euros.
Why jewellery for a christening
Unlike a toy, christening jewellery does not become too small or go out of date. To begin with it is a keepsake that is put away safely, and it gains meaning as the child grows older. An engraving creates a quiet bond: this piece belongs to you, from the very beginning.
What rarely suits a christening
- The same gift as someone else. The guardian angel is chosen so often that the child can easily end up with two. A quick word between godparents and parents avoids that.
- Toys. A year on, they are gone. A christening gift can be chosen with the longer term in mind.
- Jewellery that is too grown-up. Heavy chains suit a child neither now nor in ten years' time.
- A piece without the personal touch. Without a name, a date or a stone it remains just any piece of jewellery.
The symbols and what they mean
Two things are often confused here. One is the shape of the pendant, the other is the symbol we engrave into it. The two can be combined freely; a round tag with an engraved angel is our most popular combination.
| Round tag | The most common shape. It carries the name and, if you wish, an engraved symbol. The guardian angel most often appears this way. |
|---|---|
| Cross | The classic sign of faith: blessing and trust on the new path through life. Among the christening pieces it comes as a pendant in its own right. |
| Heart | Love that is there from the very beginning, without conditions. Often combined with the child's birthstone. |
| Angel pendant | A delicate angel as a piece in its own right. Rarer than the engraved version, and pendants that show an angel and a cross together are hard to find. |
| Angel | Protection and security, the wish that the child is watched over. By far the most popular christening motif. |
|---|---|
| Fish | The Jesus fish, the oldest Christian sign of recognition. The most discreet way to show one's faith. |
| Infinity | The figure eight on its side: a bond that never ends. Popular with godparents and grandparents. |
| Anchor | Stability and confidence, a sign without any religious reference. |
| Heart, mini heart, double heart | Three sizes of the same motif. The double heart stands for two people who belong together. |
| Paw | For families that include a pet. |
The selection is not the same for every piece. Some designs can only be engraved with text, while other ranges such as the family necklace offer over forty symbols, including a cross, a star, a clover and a tree of life. What is possible on a particular piece is shown in the preview on the product page before you order.
Who gives what?
| Godparents | 50 to 150 euros. Usually the larger piece, often in 925 silver. If there are two godparents, one takes care of the jewellery and the other the christening candle. |
|---|---|
| Grandparents | Much like godparents. Often the necklace as a piece for later, while the parents choose the bracelet. |
| Close relatives | 30 to 60 euros. An engraved bracelet or a simple necklace. |
| Friends and other guests | 20 to 40 euros. A small bracelet or an additional birthstone for an existing piece. |
The detailed guide for godparents →
Bracelet or necklace?
A bracelet can be worn straight away and adjusted in length; the knotted designs in satin, nylon and sailing rope usually range between 13 and 22 centimetres. A necklace is worn closer to the heart and is usually kept until the child is older. We offer both with the same motifs, so they can also be combined.
-
Name bracelet in satin
-
Mini cross bracelet
-
Cross necklace with stone
-
Rainbow bracelet
-
Simple guardian angel bracelet
-
Add-on birthstone
For babies and toddlersWe work with stainless steel, 925 sterling silver, sailing rope and satin. Stainless steel is rust-free and kind to the skin, hardly tarnishes at all and does not discolour skin. As with any jewellery for small children, do not let them wear it unsupervised, and take it off before they go to sleep.
Which size fits a baby?
There are two cases, and each product description tells you which one applies. The knotted bracelets in satin, nylon and sailing rope do not come in sizes; instead, they are adjustable, usually from 13 to 22 centimetres. For other designs, you choose a size: S for children and M for adults. To measure, wrap a tape measure loosely around the wrist and add about one centimetre. Necklaces are generally adjustable to 40, 45 or 50 centimetres.
What gets engraved
The usual choice is the child's name on the front and the christening date on the back. Depending on the design, you can choose engraving on one side or both, and on many pieces none at all. Instead of a date, you can have initials or one of the symbols. Check the exact spelling of the name beforehand, especially for middle names and double-barrelled names.
Once the shape, symbol and engraving are settled, all that is left is choosing the piece. In our shop, these three are chosen most often for a christening:
Guardian angel necklace with stone
Guardian angel bracelet
Guardian angel necklace 925What goes on the card
These are the lines our customers most often write themselves:
- For your christening, we wish you God's blessing every step of the way.
- May this guardian angel be with you wherever you go.
- May you be watched over every step of the way.
- We are always there for you.
- Welcome. We are so glad you are here.
Plan for the space availableYou write the card text in the cart, in three fields: Greeting, Message and Signature. In total, around 150 characters fit on the card, spaces included. That leaves about 100 characters for the message itself.
Frequently asked questions about christening gifts
What do you give for a christening?
Most often, an engraved bracelet or a fine necklace with the child's name and the christening date, along with a guardian angel, a cross or the birthstone of their birth month. Pieces like these last, whereas toys soon disappear.
How much do you spend on a christening gift?
Godparents and grandparents usually spend between 50 and 150 euros, close relatives between 30 and 60 euros, other guests between 20 and 40 euros. There are no fixed rules.
Necklace or bracelet for a christening?
A bracelet can be worn straight away and adjusted in length, typically between 13 and 22 centimetres on the knotted designs. A necklace is usually kept until the child is older, which makes it feel more like a keepsake. Both are available with the same motifs.
Which symbols can be engraved on a christening gift?
On the christening pieces with a choice of symbol, the options are angel, fish, infinity, anchor, heart in three sizes and paw. Other designs can only be engraved with text, and ranges such as the family necklace offer over forty symbols, including a cross, a star and a clover. What is possible on your piece is shown in the preview on the product page.
What does the guardian angel mean?
The guardian angel symbolises protection, hope and closeness. It is the motif chosen most often for christenings, births and the first years of life, and it serves as a quiet sign without making the piece feel overtly religious.
Which size fits a baby or toddler?
The knotted bracelets in satin, nylon and sailing rope do not come in sizes; instead, they are adjustable, usually from 13 to 22 centimetres. For other designs, you choose a size: S for children and M for adults. To measure, wrap a tape measure loosely around the wrist and add about one centimetre.
Is the jewellery suitable for babies?
We work with stainless steel and 925 sterling silver. Stainless steel is rust-free and kind to the skin, hardly tarnishes at all and does not discolour skin. As with any jewellery for small children, do not let them wear it unsupervised, and take it off before they go to sleep.
How long does production take?
We need 3 working days for the engraving, plus delivery time. May to September is christening season, so during those months it is better to order two weeks in advance.
For godparents there is a separate guide to budgeting and coordinating gifts. You will find the matching birthstone in the birthstone guide, and gifts for other occasions in the gift finder. All the pieces shown here are in the christening collection.
