I’ve always admired handprint ornaments on trees, and decided that this was the year to give it a go! I ordered the Child to Cherish Marshmallow Clay Handprint Ornament kit, which made the project super easy! You can also use model magic for this project.
How to Make a Gorgeous Baby Handprint Keepsake
We opened the box and got to work. I had a lot of help, as you can tell!
You need to knead the clay a little. This gets the air bubbles out, and eliminates any stickiness that it might have when it first comes out of the package. The clay is very lightweight.
We used the smaller of the two hoops that are provided in the package, since Anna’s three-month-old hand is still quite small. The package also has a rolling pin, a straw to punch a hanging hole in the ornament, and red ribbon to hang your finished ornament on your Christmas tree.
You have to press a baby’s hand quite firmly to get an imprint in the clay; thankfully Anna didn’t seem to mind.
Here’s a little video of the process – and the finished product. It is so neat to have a forever imprint of Anna’s tiny hand!
MaryAnne lives in Silicon Valley with her Stanford professor husband Mike and their four children. She is passionate about parenting through education, creativity, and play. Mama Smiles - Joyful Parenting is a space to share crafts, activities, and family outings that enrich lives and bring families together.
Jenny says
When my little guy was little we used paint to put his handprint on an ornament. It was…challenging. This looks so much easier! Looks like it will be a beautiful keepsake!
Lisa Nolan says
So sweet! I miss those baby days! Love all the photos, too!
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Elisa | blissfulE says
What a wonderful process and perfect result! Look at that gorgeous detail!! What a wonderful keepsake.
Isra says
Look at that chubby hand in clay! I love the pics!
Mud Hut Mama says
What a beautiful ornament and so impressed with all your “helpers.” We are also planning to attempt handprint ornaments this year. I hope ours turn out as well!
Deb @ Living Montessori Now says
What an adorable ornament … and your photos and video are priceless, MaryAnne! Anna is an amazing baby! I pinned your post to my Kids’ Christmas Activities Board at http://pinterest.com/debchitwood/kids-christmas-activities/
maryanne says
Thanks for pinning, Deb!
Anna is an amazing baby! We really enjoy having her in our family!!!
PragmaticMom says
I never did that and I wish I did. Maybe I can make big ornaments this year to capture their hands!
Ticia says
I love handprint ornaments. I wonder if my kids would let me do this form of a handprint……
momandkiddo says
I love this, and esp. how you took us through all the step with photos. Pinned it!
maryanne says
Thanks!
Natalie says
I love the pictures – Anna is so adorable! It looks like the ornament was a great success!
Sherri says
Your off to a perfect start to the Christmas season!
Lynda @ Rhody Reader says
What an excellent keepsake! We made both a handprint and a footprint ornament for our guy’s first Christmas. We also made handprints for his grandmas. Your helpers must have been great, because I remember it being VERY hard to press his hand down enough for the imprint. We ended up tracing the prints with a fine marker to help the print stand out.
Jen says
Such a precious keepsake. I’ve never heard of marshmallow clay. It sounds light and fluffy!
maryanne says
It is – just like marshmallows :)