How to make a christening candle: 4 beautiful ideas and practical tips
A baptism candle symbolically illuminates the path of the child being baptised, giving them hope and a sense of security. Traditionally, it is lit during the christening ceremony when the child is welcomed into the community. Many families keep this candle for the rest of their lives. This is a great reason to create a personalised christening candle yourself instead of opting for an impersonal store-bought version. In this article, we will show you how you can make your own personalised christening candle using sheets of wax, candle pens and a little patience, creating a small work of art with a lot of meaning.
DIY baptism candle: practical tips for working with wax
Making your own baptism candle is a special way to show you care and doesn’t require much more than a little patience. To help you decorate your candle with wax for a beautiful result, we have summarised the most important tips for working with wax and candle pens for you:
The ideal room temperature for decorating baptism candles is between 18 and 22 °C.
If it is cold, you can warm the sheets of wax between your hands or with a hairdryer.
If it is hot, cool the sheets of wax for a few minutes in the freezer or fridge to prevent them from becoming sticky.
Practise cutting the wax sheets beforehand with a crafting knife. Long, smooth cuts without pressing too hard or stopping are ideal.
To prevent the candle from rolling away or wobbling while you are working, place it on a cushion or towel.
When applying the decorations, apply only light pressure so that you can move them if necessary.
You can carefully remove any wax residue from the baptism candle with your crafting knife or a damp cloth.
If you are using wax pens or candle pens, you should work with gentle, even pressure so that the liquid wax runs in smooth lines. The wax can be removed with a tissue as long as it is still warm.
Wax foil is a simple alternative to sheets of wax and wax pens. You can print these with a laser printer, allowing you to choose different font types, sizes and colours. They are particularly practical for longer texts such as baptism sayings, wedding sayings, quotes or dedications.
How to make a pretty christening candle with a rainbow
A rainbow is a symbol of hope, diversity and new beginnings, which is why it is perfect for an occasion such as a baptism. If you want to make a baptism candle yourself that is both playful and modern, then this design with its delicate pastel colours, is a great choice. We'll show you how you can make this baptism candle with a rainbow design yourself.
Materials for a baptism candle with a rainbow
A blank baptism candle
Pastel-coloured sheets of wax or candle foil
Numbers made from wax
Candle pens
Pretty ribbons in various widths
Paper & a pencil
A crafting knife, a pair of scissors & glue
Instructions for making a rainbow baptism candle
1. First, think about how you want to apply the rainbow design to your baptism candle. You can either cut out the individual bows from sheets of wax or print the design on candle foil.
If you decide to make the rainbow yourself from different sheets of wax, first draw or print a rainbow on paper. Cut out the individual parts and use them as a template to cut the wax sheets to size.
2. Apply the design to your candle using light pressure.
3. First tie the widest ribbon around the base of your candle and stick it to the back. Now take a slightly narrower ribbon, place it in the centre and stick it in place. A lace ribbon will look particularly beautiful here. Now use the narrowest ribbon to tie a cute bow.
4. Arrange the wax numbers for the date of the baptism in the space between the design and the rainbow.
5. You can either write the name of the child on a candle foil or use a candle pen. If you use a candle pen, you can write the name directly on the candle or first write it on a piece of baking paper. If you opt for baking paper, first draw the letters in pencil and then trace them with the candle pen. Once the letters have dried, you can carefully remove them from the baking paper and press them onto the candle.
To save yourself a bit of work, you can buy sheets of wax that have been pre-printed with a specific symbol or lettering and use them for your homemade baptism candle.
How to make a christening candle: a classic baptism candle with a vine and a dove
Simple, elegant and meaningful, this baptism candle has a classic design and uses traditional symbols in a modern way. A golden cross, entwined with delicate leaves, symbolises faith and growth, while the dove stands for peace. This design for a DIY baptism candle is perfect for anyone who is looking for a classy and traditional look.
Materials for making a classic baptism candle
A blank baptism candle
Golden strips of wax and strips of wax beads
Strips of wax shaped like tendrils of a vine
Letters and numbers made of wax
Optional: a candle pen in white & yellow/gold
A dove made from wax
A crafting knife & a pair of scissors
Instructions for making a classic baptism candle
Place your candle in front of you. First, take the golden strips of wax and place them on your candle to form a cross. Place the strips so that they extend from the bottom of the candle up to the top third. Cut the wax strips to size with the crafting knife and press them onto the candle.
Place a strip of wax beads to the left of the golden strip and cut it to the same length.
Cut two strips of the same length for the crosswise part of the cross and attach them to the left and right of the cross. The transition between the lengthwise and crosswise strips does not have to be perfect.
Place the dove at the intersection of the cross and press it down firmly.
Now, wrap the vine tendrils around the cross. Trim the vine so that the cross is not covered by the vine.
Use the wax letters and numbers to add the name of the child and the date of the baptism.
Optional: you can use candle pens to draw flowers on the vine. Alternatively, you can draw them on baking paper and press them on later to complete your homemade baptism candle.
How to decorate a sweet christening candle with colourful symbols
This design is a great option if you want to create a baptism candle with strong symbols, that is also playful and light-hearted. The design consists of colourful wax circles with the following baptism symbols: a fish, a cross, a heart and a sun. This baptism candle tells a story of faith, love and light, and it will stand out on any christening table.
Materials for a baptism candle with christening symbols
A blank baptism candle
Sheets of wax in 4 different colours
Round cookie cutters with a diameter of 3 - 4 cm
Black candle pens
Ribbons made from jute, lace and satin
How to decorate your colourful baptism candle
Use your cutter to punch out one circle each from three sheets of wax and two circles from a fourth sheet of wax.
Place the wax circles on the candle so that they overlap each other.
Draw symbols of your choice in the circles using a candle pen.
Add the name and christening date to the candle.
Tie the various ribbons in the lower third around the candle as decoration to complete your homemade christening candle.
Depending on whether you want to design the baptism candle for a boy or a girl, you can adapt the colours of the circles or use neutral colours such as green and yellow.
DIY christening candle: a sweet baptism candle with a sailboat
What could symbolise the start of life more beautifully than a small boat on a great journey? This baptism candle symbolises a blessed, smooth and safe journey through life for the child being baptised. You can adapt the colours to suit the gender of the child, and the design is also very easy for beginners to make.
Materials for making a baptism candle with a sailboat
A blank baptism candle
Sheets of wax in 4 different colours
Candle pens and/or wax letters and numbers
An old hole punch
Paper & a pencil
A crafting knife & a pair of scissors
How to make a baptism candle
Draw a sailboat on a piece of paper or print out the design.
Cut out the individual parts with a crafting knife and use them as a template on the sheets of wax.
Carefully cut out the individual parts from the sheets of wax and press them onto the candle.
Use a candle pen or ready-made letters and numbers to write the name and date of the baptism on the candle.
Use an old hole punch and punch dots out of the sheets of wax. Ideally, the sheets of wax should be cold. Place the dots under the sailboat and press them onto the candle to complete your homemade christening candle!
FAQs about christening candles and more practical tips
A baptism candle is a significant symbol for any baptism. However, you may be wondering who is responsible for gifting the candle or how it differs from a communion candle. We will answer these and more frequently asked questions about baptism candles.
Who is responsible for organising and/or gifting the christening candle?
Each baptism requires only one baptism candle. This is why it is important that the parents and godparents agree on who is responsible for the baptism candle during the planning phase. Traditionally, the godparents of the child are responsible for the baptism candle. We recommend talking to the parents to find the perfect baptism candle.
What information should be on the baptism candle?
The child's name and the date of the baptism are standard elements. Baptism symbols that suit the child being baptised are optional.
Which date should be on the baptism candle?
Traditionally, the date of the baptism is used. However, some parents deliberately choose the date of birth of the child so that it can be lit on birthdays.
What size should a baptism candle be?
There is no fixed size. Classic formats (e.g. 40 x 4 cm) and more modern, stable versions (with dimensions such as 25 x 6 or 25 x 7 cm) are popular. Wider candles are great options for decorating and personalising.
Tip: If you would like to reuse the candle for communion, you should ask your parish if a certain size or format is required.
What colour should a baptism candle be?
White or ivory are the classic colours for baptism candles because they symbolise purity and a new beginning. Many DIY fans are now also opting for so-called rustic candles with a rougher surface in muted colours. Pure white candles are ideal for printed designs, as the colours stand out better.
What symbols should be on the baptism candle?
Popular symbols include a cross, a fish, a dove, water, a sailboat, a rainbow, a sun or a tree. Each symbol has its own meaning and is a blessing for the child on its journey through life. Therefore, it is important to choose symbols that suit the family and the child.
What is the difference between a baptism candle and a communion candle?
First and foremost, the candles differ in the symbols used. While baptism candles often feature symbols such as water, a dove or a rainbow, communion candles feature traditional symbols such as a chalice, bread, an ear of corn or grapes. However, many designs can be modified so that a baptism candle can also be used for a communion ceremony.
Conclusion: design your own christening candle and make a special memento
Whether you opt for a classic, simple or playful design, a homemade baptism candle is a very special baptism gift and a long-lasting memento. To create a meaningful baptism candle, all you need is a little patience and a lot of love.
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References:
https://wowwee.ie/blogs/news/what-is-the-real-meaning-of-a-christening-candle
(Last accessed on 04.06.2025)
https://cathfamily.org/making-a-baptism-candle/
(Last accessed on 04.06.2025)
https://www.lovetoknow.com/parenting/baby/baptism-symbols
(Last accessed on 04.06.2025)