What is Christingle?

The Children’s Society first introduced Christingle to The Church of England in 1968, and it has since become one of the most popular events for families and communities in the church calendar.

Loved by children and adults alike, this candlelit celebration is an ideal way to share the key messages of the Christian faith, while helping to raise vital funds to help vulnerable children across the country.

The celebration

Christingle celebrations may include songs, prayers, performances and a collection in aid of The Children’s Society. The main element that is universal to all Christingle celebrations is the lighting of Christingle candles.

Helping vulnerable children

The Children’s Society relies on the vital funds raised through Christingle celebrations to fund our work with vulnerable children and young people in your community and across the country.

Symbolism 

• The orange – represents the world
• The red ribbon – indicates the love and blood of Christ
• The dried fruits and sweets – symbols of God’s creations
• The lit candle – symbolises Jesus, the light of the world

How to make a Christingle in four easy steps

1. Take an orange and fasten a piece of red tape or ribbon around the middle.
2. Cut a small cross in the top of the orange and lay a square of silver foil (75 mm/3" square) over it.
3. Place a wax candle on top of the foil and wedge it firmly into the orange (the foil catches the hot wax).
4. Load four cocktail sticks with raisins, sultanas, cherries or soft sweets, so the points are covered. Insert them around the base of the candle.

Where to get your Christingle materials

• Red tape and wax candles can be ordered free from us.
• Glow Candles can be used as a safer alternative to wax candles. They are available to buy from www.glow-candles.com (username: church, password: candle) or by calling 01302 771 446 quoting 'glow candles'. They cost £13.22 for 50 and The Glow Company UK Ltd will donate 7.5% of the purchase price to The Children's Society.
• We are now working in association with fair trade pioneers Traidcraft who can supply fairly traded dried fruits and sweets to decorate your Christingles. Visit www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/christingle to find out more and support poor communities in the developing world through Christingle

Top tip

• Giant Christingles are great to use as a demonstration. Read our guide to see how you can make your own giant Christingle.