Baby’s first Christmas ornament needs to be special. A way to document just how tiny they were that first year. This glitter handprint is an adorable way to do that! A growing family will soon have a collection of adorable handprint ornaments on their tree! This post was originally shared in 2011.

You might also like our thumbprint reindeer ornament (the perfect ornament to make with preschoolers!) or our baking soda ornaments! You can even turn baby’s footprint into a little reindeer. You can put it on a canvas!

Baby’s 1st Christmas Ornament

Baby girl needed an ornament for the tree. Something that would capture her tininess this year! Handprint ornaments are my favorite to do to capture these tiny moments, but they do require a bit of patience. Ruby was a good sport and super patient….at first. I had to work quickly because she just wasn’t having it after the first two attempts. New baby hands are naturally clenched in little fists most of the time so it was a little tricky to paint, but we still got a nice little print.

You can make these with toddlers and little kid handprints too. Just find an ornament a little larger. What a fun keepsake gift to make for a new mom or dad, or send a grandparent for Christmas in a small gift box. My favorite thing to do each holiday season is pull out all of our handmade ornament and hang them on the tree. Preschool photo ornaments, popsicle stick frame ornaments, and pipe cleaner ornaments—they are better than any store bought decoration.

How To Make a Handprint Glitter Ornament

DIY Ornament Supplies

Ornament (glass, plastic, or porcelain ornament—I used glass ornaments)
Fine glitter (not basic craft glitter, you want it to be fine and more powdery)
Mod Podge
Small paint brush
Permanent marker

Instructions

Step 1: brush a layer of mod podge onto baby’s hand then press the hand against the ornament.

Note: It might not be easy to get baby’s handprint. Just do the best you can. Basically, we’re looking for an outline of a hand. Because you are using a wipeable surface you can always wipe the mod podge off with a wet wipe and start over if needed. Good luck—it’s worth it!

Step 2: If it isn’t a perfect print you can fill in any areas with a small paint brush and a bit more mod podge.

Step 3: Sprinkle fine glitter over the handprint. Shake off excess glitter and let the ornament dry.

Step 4: Write the birth year and baby’s name on the back with a permanent marker. If there’s room you can add baby’s birth stats or a special message.

Step 5: Hang on the Christmas tree with a ribbon or ornament hanger!

Kaylee loved how Ruby’s turned out and wanted one too. Hers took about 30 seconds start to finish. Much easier since she knew what was going on.

The glitter adhered perfectly to the mod podge. I thought I might have to add another coat over the top, but I don’t think that is necessary.

two handprint ornaments on christmas tree

UPDATE: It’s been 10 years since I made this sweet keepsake and they look just as good as the day we first made them. The glitter and mod podge have held up beautifully! It’s easily my favorite ornament and a little trip down memory lane every time I pull it out of the holiday decorations.

Glitter Handprint Ornaments

silver ornament with pink glitter handprint

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