Orthodox Christening Gifts & Bundles

The christening candle and what goes with it

An Orthodox christening is the child's baptism into the Church. The candle is at the centre of it. It stands for the light the child receives at baptism, and it is kept afterwards rather than burnt down. Many families light it again on the anniversary of the christening or on the child's name day.

What Do You Need for an Orthodox Christening?

Beyond the candle, an Orthodox christening usually calls for a cross, a bottle for the holy oil or water, a towel for after the immersion, and a set of white clothes for the child to be dressed in. Families often add a keepsake that holds something from the day.

The pieces I make for this:

• Christening candle: the main item, carried by the godparent (see the christening candles)
• Personalised acrylic cross: engraved with the child's name, included in the luxury bundles
• Oil or holy water bottle: personalised with name and cross
• Sheridan towel: embroidered with name and cross
• Acrylic hanger: to hang and keep the christening outfit
• First curl box: for the baby's first curl

Any of these can be ordered on its own or as part of a bundle. If you are not sure what your parish expects, ask your priest, then send me the list and I will match the pieces to it.

What I make for christenings

Christening candles

The candle is the godparent's gift and the centre of the day. I make seven colours, from $80 to $130 AUD, each finished with an Orthodox cross. They have their own page: Orthodox christening candles.

Orthodox christening boxes and bundles

A christening box, sometimes called a set or bundle, is everything for the day packaged together instead of bought piece by piece. My Luxury Acrylic Orthodox Christening Bundles are $350 AUD and come in a neutral, pink or blue finish.

Each bundle includes:

• Personalised acrylic cross with the child's name
• Matching christening candle
• Additional accessories

If you are the godparent and want one gift that covers the essentials, the bundle is the simplest option. The cross and candle are made to match rather than sourced separately.

Personalised christening accessories

• Brush and comb set, with a personalised initial ($25)
• First curl box, for the first haircut ($20)
• Acrylic hanger, for the christening outfit ($30)
• Holy water bottle, personalised with name and cross ($25)
• Sheridan towel, embroidered ($110)

What Do You Give as an Orthodox Christening Gift?

The usual gift is something the child keeps: a cross, an icon, or a personalised keepsake from the day. Godparents give the candle and the cross. Other guests tend to give smaller keepsakes.

If you are buying for someone else's christening, the pieces I sell most to guests are the brush and comb set ($25), the first curl box ($20), the acrylic hanger for the outfit ($30) and the embroidered Sheridan towel ($110). For one gift that covers the whole day, the luxury bundle at $350 AUD has the cross, candle and accessories. Everything can carry a name or initial, which is what makes it a keepsake rather than a present.

Orthodox christening traditions

Greek Orthodox baptism

In the Greek tradition the child is immersed three times, for the three days Christ spent in the tomb, then anointed with holy oil (chrism) and dressed in white.

Serbian Orthodox baptism

Serbian christenings follow the same pattern, with the kum and kuma standing as godparents. The candle and the cross are the kum's to bring.

What Gifts Are Given at a Serbian Orthodox Christening?

The kum and kuma bring the candle and the cross. Other guests give the child a keepsake carrying the name or the date. I do not sell a separate Serbian range, because the same candles, crosses and personalised pieces are used at Serbian, Greek and Macedonian christenings here in Australia.

What changes is the wording and the styling. Everything I personalise is engraved or embroidered with the exact spelling you give me, and candle colours are chosen to suit the family rather than a fixed style. Contact me with the name as you want it to appear and I will confirm it with you before anything is made.

Macedonian Orthodox baptism

Same sacrament, same pieces. The kum brings the candle and the cross, and the family gathers afterwards.

Russian Orthodox baptism

A Russian Orthodox baptism follows the same sacrament, with the godparents standing for the child and the baptismal cross and candle at the centre. The cross is usually worn by the child from that day on, so it is the piece Russian families ask me about first.

I do not carry a separate Russian range, but everything on this page is used at Russian Orthodox christenings in Australia: the personalised acrylic cross in the bundles, the holy water bottle, the embroidered towel and the keepsakes. If your parish prefers a plainer candle, say so and I will keep the decoration to the cross. Send me the exact spelling for any personalised piece, and ask first if you would like it in Cyrillic.

Why order from me

• Made by hand in Australia
• Personalised with the spelling you give me, confirmed before I start
• Posted Australia-wide
• 5-star rated on Etsy

Where to buy

Every christening gift, bundle and candle is listed on the Etsy store.

Want something changed or made to match? Contact me with what you have in mind.

After Orthodox wedding candles instead? I make those too.