At a christening, the medal and the chain are traditionally two separate gifts, given by two different people. Here is the custom, its variations, and how to organise things so that everything matches on the day of the ceremony.
The tradition: the godmother gives the medal, the godfather gives the chain
In the most widespread French custom, the godmother gives the christening medal and the godfather the chain that carries it. The medal is the symbolic gift, the one bearing the image of a saint, the Virgin or Christ; the chain is its complement, the object that allows it to be worn. By bringing the two together, godfather and godmother jointly give a single jewel that the child will keep for life.
The reverse custom also exists, depending on families and regions: the godfather gives the medal and the godmother the chain. There is no canonical rule; it is a custom, not an obligation. What matters is that the two gifts are thought of together.
And when there is only a godfather, or only a godmother?
One person can give medal and chain together. Grandparents often step in for one of the two, or for another christening gift: an engraved ID bracelet, a cup, a cross. Nothing prevents the parents from giving the medal themselves either, especially when they wish to pass on a family model or a particular patron saint.
How to match the medal and the chain
Two gifts, two buyers: the risk is that the chain does not suit the medal. Three things to agree on before buying.
The material. An 18-karat yellow gold medal is worn on an 18-karat gold chain; a silver medal on a solid silver chain; a gold-plated medal on a gold-plated chain. 9-karat gold (375/1000) is also a good compromise for buying a chain. 9-karat gold is an alloy containing half as much gold (37.5% fine gold) as 18-karat gold: it is therefore better suited to the chain than to the medal, which is meant to be kept for a lifetime. Depending on your budget, we recommend favouring an 18-karat gold medal (precious, durable), and if need be compromising on a 9-karat rather than an 18-karat gold chain.
The gauge of the chain. A 16 or 18 mm medal calls for a chain of at least 1.3 to 1.45 mm; from 1.6 mm, the chain comfortably carries an 18 or 20 mm medal every day. A chain that is too fine will deform.
The length. 40 or 45 cm for a child; 45 or 50 cm if the chain is meant to be worn into adulthood.
The simplest approach is for the person giving the medal to choose it first and pass on its details to the person giving the chain. In the shop as on the website, we list the gauges and lengths available for each chain; cable and curb links suit all our medals.
At a glance: who gives what
| Gift | Who gives it (usual custom) | Variation | To match with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medal | Godmother | Godfather | Engraved first name and date |
| Chain | Godfather | Godmother | The medal's material, gauge and length |
| Engraving | The person giving the medal | The parents | Ordered with the medal |
| ID bracelet, cup, cross | Grandparents | Uncle, aunt, witness | — |
Who has the medal engraved?
The engraving, first name and christening date on the reverse, generally goes with the medal and is therefore the responsibility of the person giving it. It is ordered at the same time as the medal; the first name alone, or the first name and the date, are the most common engravings.
When to give the gifts?
The medal and the chain are given on the day of the christening, often at the meal that follows the ceremony, sometimes beforehand so that the child wears it in church. Many families photograph the medal around the child's neck that day; it is also the moment when the engraved first name takes on its full meaning.
Frequently asked questions
Must the godfather and godmother give the medal and the chain?
No. It is a French custom, not a rule of the Church; what matters is that the two gifts are thought of together.
Can the medal and the chain be given separately, on different dates?
Yes, but the custom is to give them on the day of the christening, so that the child wears the complete jewel at the ceremony or the meal.
What budget should be planned?
It depends on the material: 18-karat gold is the choice for handing down; rhodium-plated solid silver, and 9-karat gold for the chain, allow adjustment. Our product pages show the gold weight of each variant.
What if the chain given does not suit the medal?
The workshop can replace it or advise a suitable gauge; the safest course remains for the person giving the medal to pass on its details before the chain is bought.
Further reading
- How to choose a christening chain
- How to choose a christening medal
- Gold, silver, gold plate or mother-of-pearl: which material to choose?
- Our christening chains in 18-karat gold, 9-karat gold, solid silver and gold plate
- Our children's ID bracelets to engrave, in gold and silver