Handprint Christmas Crafts

By Crystal Arcand on December 23rd, 2008

• Link to StumbleUpon
• 1 Comment

There’s just something about seeing the handprint or footprint of a child. After several years, though, you get tired of seeing a Hand on the Wall. How about making something out of those handprints and footprints for Christmas? It’s a win-win: you get to keep a memento of your child from year to year, and you get free Christmas decorations!

Make the classic Christmas icon of a reindeer by tracing your child’s footprint on brown construction paper or making a footprint with brown stamp ink or paint. Place the footprint with the toe-end up. Add a red nose on the heel with a red pom-pom for the construction paper version, or a red thumbprint on a paint version. Antlers are made with handprints attached to the top. Viola! You’ve got a cute reindeer, your child’s footprint and both handprints (and a thumb print if you did the paint version).

So you’re more of an angel parent – no problem. Make the angel’s body by placing both feet together and tracing or stamping. Place the heels at the top and the toes at the bottom. Wings are made by placing a handprint on each side. Add a construction paper head and draw on details for a heavenly addition to your handprint collection.

If you have more than one kid, a handprint wreath is a perfect craft. Make a circle with the handprint of the largest child, fingers pointing out. Layer the prints of progressively smaller kiddos to make a great textured wreath.  Red berries can be added to the wreath with red paint or ink and thumbs. Once everything’s dry, laminate the wreath for a weather-resistant door decoration that will charm the socks off your neighbors.

Making these handprint crafts will give you several holiday benefits: the kids will be occupied for a little bit, you’ll create great memories, and you’ll have the cutest holiday decorations in the neighborhood! Hint: these make fantastic Christmas gifts for grandparents and other family members – especially the ones that don’t get to see the kids very often. Here’s to a handful of Christmas fun!

(Photo Courtesy of St0rmz)