Our Gift Ideas

Choosing a gift based on the child’s age and life milestone

A birth gift isn’t chosen the same way as a gift for a six-year-old making their first communion. Age remains the first criterion: the younger the child, the more discreet and comfortable the jewelry needs to be for everyday wear. For a baby just a few weeks old, a 14 or 15 mm diameter medal on a thin 40 cm chain remains the classic choice, while a 6-7 year old can wear an 18 to 20 mm piece on a 42 to 45 cm chain without it looking oversized.

For a newborn, the first medal

At birth, a crib medal hung on the bed or a miraculous medal placed on the nightstand often comes before the jewelry that’s actually worn. The miraculous medal owes its name to the apparition reported by Catherine Labouré in 1830: this historical background explains why, almost two centuries later, it remains one of the most requested christening gifts for a birth, far ahead of more recent designs with no story to tell.

For a growing child, the chain or ID bracelet

After the first few months, weight and length become practical concerns. A child’s chain is typically chosen between 40 and 45 cm depending on build, and an engraved ID bracelet serves a dual purpose: jewelry and identification, useful if the child goes to summer camp or a day centre. Parents torn between the two formats will find a detailed comparison among our christening medals and their matching chain variations.

A piece of jewelry for every stage, from christening to First Communion

The Catholic religious calendar marks several gift-giving moments in a child’s life, and each stage calls for a different piece of jewelry, not a repeat of the same model.

Christening and communion: marking a first milestone

A christening calls for a simple piece, often with a matte sandblasted finish to limit micro-scratches from a young child who handles everything. Communion, a few years later, allows for a more refined finish: a polished cross or a pendant featuring a patron saint chosen for their first name.

Confirmation and Profession of Faith: a bolder piece of jewelry

In the teenage years, the jewelry takes on a new status: it becomes an item the young person chooses or approves, not just receives. A discreet signet ring or an 18-carat gold cross (750/1000) suits this age better than a baby medal. Confirmation gifts and Profession of Faith gifts follow this logic of jewelry that accompanies its owner, rather than a simple lucky charm.

Material and budget: what really matters day to day

Choosing the material isn’t just a matter of price, it’s a matter of everyday wear.

• 18-carat yellow, white or rose gold (750/1000): stands the test of time, keeps its shine even worn daily, and can be passed down through generations.
• 9-carat gold (375/1000): a harder alloy, so more resistant to knocks, a more affordable budget for a child’s first piece of jewelry.
• Sterling silver 925: a good compromise for jewelry worn occasionally, needs more regular care to avoid tarnishing.
• Vermeil: silver coated in gold, a look close to yellow gold for a more modest budget, the gold plating fades over years of heavy wear.

For a gift that goes beyond a personal piece of jewelry, silverware remains a safe choice for a birth: a cup engraved with the first name or a napkin ring accompanies the child’s tableware for years. The full selection can be found among our silverware and photo frames in sterling silver, to pair the jewelry with an item that keeps a photo of the big day.

Personalizing the gift: motif and engraving

Which motif to choose based on the first name or patron saint

The choice of motif often follows the first name: Saint Christopher for a traveller, Saint Theresa, Saint Michael, Saint Joseph, or a Virgin and Child for a birth with no reference to a particular saint. An angel or a dove works well when the family prefers a more universal symbol rather than a specific saint’s figure.

Engraving on the back, a common practice

A christening medal is engraved on the back, usually with the first name and christening date. Available space remains limited on a 14 to 18 mm diameter: it’s best to plan for a short wording, first name and day/month/year, rather than a long text that becomes unreadable once engraved. To take personalization further, our personalized jewelry range covers medals as well as bracelets or pendants engraved with a full first name.

There’s also the question of who the gift is really for: when the gift idea isn’t meant for the child but for the mother who has just given birth, a more understated piece in silver or gold, designed for everyday adult wear, can be found among our ideas for Mother’s Day just as much as for a birth.

What should I look for when choosing a christening medal as a gift?

Start with the metal: 9ct or 18ct gold, sterling silver, and rhodium-plated silver all suit a baby christening medal gift. Check the diameter — 14mm to 16mm sits well on a newborn, 18mm reads better as a keepsake for an older child. Confirm whether a chain is included, since many medals are sold alone.

Is a chain included, and what length works for a baby?

Most medals in this collection ship without a chain, so read the product description before ordering. For a christening medal chain for babies, 36cm to 40cm is standard and can be swapped for a 45cm chain around age eight. Many families keep the medal on a ribbon or in its box until the child is older.

What’s the difference between a christening medal and a birth medal?

A christening medal carries a religious motif — the Virgin Mary, an angel, a guardian saint, or a cross — and is blessed at the ceremony. A personalised baptism gift for a godchild without religious imagery, such as a zodiac or initial medal, works for a civil naming day or a birth gift. Both are engraved the same way on the reverse.

How do I care for a silver or gold medal so it doesn’t tarnish?

Store silver in the pouch or box it arrives in, away from damp bathrooms, and rub it with a dry polishing cloth when it dulls. Gold needs only warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. To clean a silver christening medal safely, skip abrasive pastes and ultrasonic cleaners — they wear down engraving and enamel detail.