Each element of a Christingle has a special meaning and helps to tell the Christian story:

• The orange represents the world
• The red ribbon (or tape) symbolises the love and blood of Christ
• The sweets and dried fruit represent all of God’s creations
• The lit candle represents Jesus’s light in the world, bringing hope to people living in darkness.

There is no one way to hold a Christingle celebration. From large  gatherings in churches and schools, to intimate events online, outdoors  and sometimes even forests. People typically sing Christmas carols, come  together in prayer and have fun.

Christingles are usually held from the start of December to Christmas  (Advent to Candlemas), with Christmas Eve a particularly popular time  for services. But you can host one whenever you like.

Christingle celebrations have been taking place for over 50  years. The Children's Society first Christingle service took place at Lincoln Cathedral in  1968, but Christingles themselves go back much further to the Moravian  church in Germany.

At a children’s service in Marienborn in 1747, Bishop Johannes de  Watteville looked for a simple way to explain the happiness that had  come to people through Jesus, and created a symbol — the Christingle —  to do this.

Founded in 1881 by Sunday School teacher Edward Rudolf, for the last 139 years The Children’s Society has supported millions of this country’s children and restored hope to their lives. We believe in building a society that works for every child, so that they are safe, happy and free to fulfil their incredible potential. 

We run vital local services that provide vulnerable children across the country with the support, advice and guidance that they need, and we also campaign to make children’s lives better and change the systems that are placing them in danger. 

Together with this country’s young people and our amazing supporters, we’re improving life for children today and working to create a society where every child has hope for their future. 

 Over the last 50 years, Christingle celebrations have raised  millions of pounds to support the life-changing work of the Children's Society, with children and  young people.  The money you raise can help connect them to their services, and rekindle the hope they deserve.

Last year, over 5,000 celebrations were held across the country  raising over £1.2 million. The generosity and support shown at Christingle services is overwhelming and every year we are reminded of  the compassionate Christinglers that help bring hope to young people  across the country.