Christening Wishes

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A christening is a joyful family celebration: through the Sacrament of Baptism the child becomes a member of the Church, and godparents join the parents as lifelong spiritual mentors. Below are short christening wishes, messages for parents, the child, godparents and from godparents, poems and gift ideas. Other big moments — a new home, a new job, an engagement — are in our collection of wishes for life events.

Related collections: new baby wishes, birthday wishes for godparents and birthday wishes for a godson.

Short christening wishes

• Happy christening! May a guardian angel protect your little one for life.
• Congratulations on the holy Baptism! Health, happiness and God’s blessing to the child.
• Happy christening day! May your child grow up in love, faith and joy.
• Happy christening! May God protect your family.

For the parents

• Dear parents, congratulations on your child’s christening! May your little one grow up healthy and happy and bring you nothing but joy.
• Congratulations on such an important day for your family! May faith and love always be the foundation of your home.
• Happy christening! May your little treasure have a strong guardian angel and wise godparents.

For the child

• Little princess, happy christening! Grow up healthy, kind and beautiful as a spring flower.
• Little one, happy christening! Be strong, wise and happy, and may your angel guide you through life.
• Sweet baby, happy christening day! May the world greet you warmly and every day bring a new discovery.

For and from godparents

• Dear godparents, congratulations on your new role! May your love and support be the child’s rock for life.
• From a godmother: my little godson, today I promised to always be there for you. Grow up happy — I will always support you.
• From a godfather: my goddaughter, may life be generous to you, and I will always be your protector.

Christening traditions guests should know

By Ukrainian tradition godparents bring the kryzhma — a white cloth the baby is wrapped in after the ceremony — and a small cross. Guests usually give a keepsake: a silver spoon “for the first tooth”, a children’s Bible, a name-saint icon, a photo album. After church the family often hosts a festive lunch where the godparents speak first. A small light bouquet suits the mother, and the baby gets a gift that stays with them for years.

Christening poems

Today your family celebrates
A christening — oh, what a date!
May angels hold your child with care
And God protect them everywhere!

A little heart so pure and new
Is blessed today in church for you,
May faith and happiness and love
Shine down upon you from above!

About the occasion

Baptism is one of the main sacraments of the Church. Children are usually baptised in their first months, and godparents promise to help them in faith and life. In Ukraine, after the christening the family hosts a festive meal, and the godparents give a christening towel (kryzhmo) and a cross.

Christening gifts

Godparents traditionally give a christening towel, a cross and a silver spoon. Guests often bring a soft toy for the baby and flowers for the mother.

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More options in our soft toys and white roses sections.

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FAQ

What to wish at a christening?

Health, God’s blessing and a strong guardian angel for the child, and wisdom and patience for the parents and godparents.

What do godparents give?

Traditionally a christening towel (kryzhmo), a baptismal cross and a silver spoon.

What should guests give?

A soft toy, baby clothes, a children’s book or flowers for the mother.

Another church sacrament in family life: the church wedding.

For the celebration meal, see christening toasts.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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