Best Baptism Gifts for a Godson: 10 Keepsakes He Will Grow Into
By Sophie Laurent11 min read
The best baptism gift for a godson is one he can keep for the rest of his life: a saint medal, a first cross or a rosary that waits in a drawer while he is small and becomes his own when he is old enough to wear it. As his godfather or godmother, you are not buying a toy for one afternoon. You are giving the first sign of the faith you promised to help him live.
Below: our ranking of 10 baptism gifts for a godson, what each saint and symbol means, and the practical details (chain length, finish, timing) that make a keepsake last.
Table of Contents
At a Glance: The Ranking
Eight pieces from our catalog and two classic ideas from elsewhere. Prices are the current US prices on each product page.
| # | Piece | Best for | What sets it apart | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Saint Michael Medal | A godson you want to give a patron and protector for life | Oval medal of the archangel, three finishes | Stainless steel | From $89.99 |
| 2 | The Christopher Coin | A godson whose family travels, or a godparent who lives far away | Engraved Saint Christopher Protect Us coin | Stainless steel | From $89.99 |
| 3 | The Benedictine Medal | A Catholic family that keeps the old devotions | Saint Benedict medal with its Latin initials | Stainless steel | From $89.99 |
| 4 | The Simple Cross | Godparents who want the plainest sign of the faith | A clean polished cross, nothing added | Stainless steel | From $79.99 |
| 5 | The Polished Cross | An older godson, or a keepsake he will wear as a man | A small beveled cross on a long box chain | Stainless steel | From $79.99 |
| 6 | The Saint Michael Prayer | A godson who will wear his medal young, at first communion | A 16 mm Saint Michael Pray For Us medal | Alloy, antique silver tone | From $69.99 |
| 7 | The Prayerful Rosary | Godparents who want to give him a way to pray | Natural wooden beads, medal or crucifix of your choice | Natural wooden beads | From $89.99 |
| 8 | The Angelic Embrace | Adding a guardian angel to a larger gift, or for an older boy | Guardian angel charm on a woven cord, eleven colors | Stainless steel charm, woven cord | From $69.99 |
| 9 | An engraved christening keepsake | Godparents who want something to display | Name and date engraved | Varies by maker | Varies |
| 10 | A children's Bible or book of saints | Reading together as he grows | Faith he can read | Book | Varies |
Our 8 Picks in Detail, Plus 2 Alternatives
1. The Saint Michael Medal: Best Overall
Best for: A godson you want to give a patron and protector for life.
Saint Michael the Archangel is the defender of the faithful in Christian tradition, named in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation. For a boy he is an easy saint to love: a figure of courage. His feast day is September 29.
The medal is polished stainless steel, 20 x 28 mm (39 mm with the bail) and 1.8 mm thick, on a 2.8 mm wheat chain of 55 cm with a 5 cm extender. That is a man's length, which is exactly the point: it is a keepsake for later, not a necklace for a baby. Read more about what Archangel Michael means before you choose.
- Three finishes: silver, gold or black
- Stainless steel does not rust and can be worn in the shower once he wears it every day
- A saint he can take as a confirmation name later, if he wishes
See The Saint Michael Medal, from $89.99.
2. The Christopher Coin: Best Saint for the Road Ahead
Best for: A godson whose family travels, or a godparent who lives far away.
Saint Christopher is the patron of travelers. The story says he carried a child across a river and found he had carried Christ. The coin shows that scene, with the words Saint Christopher Protect Us around the edge, a short prayer your godson will be able to read one day.
It is a flat, round stainless steel medal of 30 mm (33 mm with the bail), about 18 g, on a curb chain of 55 cm with a 5 cm extender. If you live in another city or another country, it is a lovely way to say that you will keep him in your prayers from wherever you are.
- Silver or gold finish, polished
- Detailed engraving with the Christ Child on Christopher's shoulder
- Our product page suggests it for a godchild at confirmation too, so it can be given now or saved for that day
See The Christopher Coin, from $89.99.
3. The Benedictine Medal: Best Traditional Catholic Medal
Best for: A Catholic family that keeps the old devotions.
The Saint Benedict medal carries a cross and the initials of an old Latin prayer. The letters C S P B around the cross stand for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti, the Cross of our Holy Father Benedict. Christians have prayed with this medal for centuries, and many parents already keep one at home.
This one is a round stainless steel medal of 24.5 mm (28.5 mm with the bail), 24 g, on a 60 cm box chain, in silver or gold. Our guide to the Saint Benedict cross and its letters explains every initial if you want to write them out in a card.
- Silver or gold finish, polished
- A medal suited to men and women, so it can be worn at any age
- A classic choice when the parents prefer a traditional devotion
See The Benedictine Medal, from $89.99.
4. The Simple Cross: Best First Cross
Best for: Godparents who want the plainest sign of the faith.
At baptism, the priest or deacon traces the sign of the cross on the child's forehead. A plain cross remembers exactly that moment. The Simple Cross is just that: a polished cross with no stones and no engraving, on an O-link chain with a lobster clasp.
Because it is so simple, it never goes out of style: he can wear it at his first communion, his confirmation and long after. It comes in silver, gold or rose gold.
- Polished stainless steel in three tones
- Lobster clasp, easy to fasten
- Small enough to wear under a shirt every day
See The Simple Cross, from $79.99.
5. The Polished Cross: Best Cross for a Grown-Up Look
Best for: An older godson, or a keepsake he will wear as a man.
Not every baptism is a baby's baptism. If your godson is a teenager or a young man, he can wear his gift right away. The Polished Cross is a small, sleek stainless steel cross of 3 x 1.8 cm, in a beveled or a smooth cylindrical shape, on a 60 cm box chain.
At 60 cm the cross sits on the upper chest, discreet enough for school or work and still clearly a cross.
- Polished stainless steel, 3 x 1.8 cm
- 60 cm (23.6 in) box chain with a lobster clasp
- Shape options: beveled or smooth
See The Polished Cross, from $79.99.
6. The Saint Michael Prayer: Best Small Medal
Best for: A godson who will wear his medal young, at first communion.
If you would like a Saint Michael medal he can wear while he is still a boy, a smaller medal sits better. This round medal is only 16 mm across, about 5 g, and shows Saint Michael with raised sword and open wings, framed by the words St. Michael Pray For Us.
It is made of alloy with an antique silver-tone finish and comes on a fine 46 cm chain with a 5 cm extender. Our product page suggests it for a confirmation or a godchild, which makes it an easy gift to repeat later on another sacrament.
- Small and light: 16 mm, about 5 g
- Darkened relief that brings out the archangel and the lettering
- A shorter chain than the larger medals in this list
See The Saint Michael Prayer, from $69.99.
7. The Prayerful Rosary: Best Rosary
Best for: Godparents who want to give him a way to pray.
A rosary is a gift you can pray with together one day. The Prayerful Rosary uses natural wooden beads strung on a strong cord, with small medals along the strand, and you choose the centerpiece: a Saint Benedict medal, a Miraculous Medal, the Virgin Mary, the Pardon crucifix, a standard crucifix and more.
Wood is warm and light in the hand, a good first rosary. Keep it in a keepsake box until he is old enough to learn the prayers; our article on what the rosary means is a good start for parents too.
- Natural wooden beads on a cord
- Several medal and crucifix options
- Can be kept as a prayer rosary or worn as a necklace later
See The Prayerful Rosary, from $89.99.
8. The Angelic Embrace: Best Small Extra Gift
Best for: Adding a guardian angel to a larger gift, or for an older boy.
Christian tradition holds that each person has a guardian angel, and a baptism is a natural day to remember it. This bracelet is a small stainless steel guardian angel on a woven cord, with an adjustable knot that fits wrists from 16 to 24 cm.
It is a lovely second gift for an older godson, or a small present for the big brother who stood by the font. For a baby, keep it with the main gift until he is older.
- Adjustable from 16 to 24 cm
- Eleven cord colors, including blue and black
- Stainless steel charm
See The Angelic Embrace, from $69.99.
9. Alternative: An engraved christening keepsake
A small cup, frame or box engraved with his name and baptism date, from a gift shop that offers engraving, is a classic keepsake for a shelf. It pairs well with one of the pieces above.
10. Alternative: A children's Bible or book of saints
An illustrated children's Bible or a book of saints from a Christian publisher is a gift for the years ahead. Write a dedication on the first page and sign it as his godparent.
How We Chose
We started from what a godparent actually promises at a baptism: to help the child grow in the faith. So every pick had to carry a clear Christian meaning (a saint, the cross or the rosary) and be able to last into adulthood.
Then we checked each product page for the material, the sizes and the finishes, and left out anything we could not describe precisely. Our own pieces come first because we know exactly what they are made of; two classic ideas from elsewhere complete the list.
- Meaning: a symbol he can understand and keep
- Durability: stainless steel or natural materials that age well
- Fit for later: a size he will actually wear as a teenager or a man
- Honest description: real sizes and materials, taken from the product page
Buying Guide: Choosing a Baptism Gift for a Godson
A baby will not wear jewelry, and should not: necklaces and bracelets are not safe for babies or toddlers. A baptism keepsake is given now and worn later. Choose a chain length for the boy he will become, then put the piece away with a card that tells him why you chose it.
| If he is... | Choose | Chain length to look for |
|---|---|---|
| A baby or toddler | A medal or cross kept as a keepsake, or a rosary | Any: it will be worn years from now |
| Around first communion age | A small medal such as The Saint Michael Prayer | About 45 cm (18 in) |
| A teenager | A Saint Michael or Saint Christopher medal | 50 to 55 cm (20 to 22 in) |
| An adult being baptized | A medal or a cross he can wear the same day | 55 to 60 cm (22 to 24 in) |
- Silver, gold or black finish: ask the parents which tone the family wears, or choose silver, which goes with everything.
- Timing: our orders are processed within 24 hours on business days and shipped with tracking. Order well ahead of the baptism.
- Returns: you have 30 days after delivery to return an unworn piece in its original packaging.
See our size guide for every chain length, our baptism gifts collection, and our guide on what to give for a baptism gift for etiquette and timing. Choosing for a girl? Read what to get a goddaughter for her christening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a godfather traditionally give for a baptism?
Many families expect the godparents to give a lasting religious gift: a cross, a saint medal, a rosary or a Bible. In some families the godparents also buy the baptism candle or the white garment. Ask the parents first, so your gift does not duplicate theirs.
Can a baby wear a cross necklace?
No. Necklaces and bracelets are not safe for babies or toddlers to wear. For the ceremony, parents sometimes lay the necklace on the gown for photos, then put it away. Keep the piece in a box until he is old enough to wear it with care.
Which saint medal is good for a boy?
Saint Michael, the archangel known as the defender of the faithful, is a favorite for boys. Saint Christopher, patron of travelers, and Saint Benedict are also traditional. You can also choose the saint whose name he was given at baptism.
How much should a godparent spend on a baptism gift?
There is no rule. What matters is that the gift lasts and means something. The pieces in this ranking start at $69.99, and a short letter from you, kept with the gift, will mean a lot to him later.
Should the gift be engraved?
It is not necessary. A letter in the box with his name, the date of his baptism and why you chose that saint does the same job and can be read when he is older. Note that engraved pieces usually cannot be returned.
A Gift for the Man He Will Become
The best baptism gift for a godson is the one that is still with him at his confirmation, at his wedding, on the day he becomes a godfather himself. A Saint Michael medal, a Saint Christopher coin, a plain cross or a wooden rosary will all do that. Choose the saint or the symbol you would like him to know, add a few words in your own hand, and keep it safe for him until he is ready.
Baptism Gifts
The Polished Cross
$79.99
The Saint Michael Prayer
$69.99
The Prayerful Rosary
$89.99
The Angelic Embrace
$69.99
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