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.
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
Baby's First Ornament: Glitter Handprint
Baby's first ornament needs to be special. A way to document just how tiny they were that first year. This glitter handprint is the perfect way to do that!
Yield: 1 ornament
Cost: $1
Equipment
- paint brush
Materials
- Ornament
- Fine glitter not basic craft glitter, you want it to be fine and more powdery
- Mod Podge
Instructions
- Brush a layer of mod podge onto baby's hand then press the hand against the ornament.
- If it isn't a perfect print you can fill in any areas with a small paint brush and a bit more mod podge.
- Sprinkle fine glitter over the handprint. Shake off excess glitter and let the ornament dry.
- Write the date on the back with a permanent marker. If there's room you can add baby's birth stats!
- Add ribbon to hang the ornament and hang on the Christmas tree.
Notes
Note: Most babies aren't super cooperative with this, you just do the best you can. Basically, we're looking for an outline of a hand.
love it just told my mom i need a babys first christmas ornamant for my 7 month old daughter…thanks for sharing im gonna do this with her
Awesome! Good luck! I’m sure it will turn out great. These little ones can be a little difficult to have hold still long enough for a good print, but even if it isn’t perfect, it’s still a cute smudge print too 🙂
This is such a wonderful idea!!! Would you please share this with my readers for Fun Stuff Fridays? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2011/12/fun-stuff-fridays-4-3-weeks-long-for.html
adorable! Now I wish I could go back and make these for my kids 1st Christmas. I’d like to invite you over to my Ornament link party and neat giveaway. Hope you can come check it out! http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/12/ornamentsparty-giveaway.html
This is so much better than the generic decorations that say baby’s first christmas. How pretty, thanks for the great idea.
Soooo doing this! Super cute and love the glitter!
I saw that on Pinterest and thought it was just adorable … I recommended the idea to all my friends with new babies. Yours turned out so cute!
Those are so cute! I saw those on pinterest and wished for another baby. 🙁
Thats very cute and so simple to make. I’m going to try this. I’ve also heard of using a embossing stamp pad to make a hand print on your ornament and sprinkling embossing powder over the hand print. then you hold the ornament over a heat source like a stove (not too close thought) The powder puffs up and if permanent on the ornament.