A Handmade Christmas: Handprint Christmas Wreath

Guest post by Nikki from Christian Mommy Blogger

This wreath is something I made as a child. My mother still has mine and hangs it each year for Christmas. It is simple, rustic and classic.

With a few simple materials, you can make this homemade wreath. With one decoration you will capture a snippet of your child’s past, add warmth to Christmas, and give those grandparents a beautiful homemade Christmas present.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fabric of your choice (Burlap, Muslin, or similar fabric in a remnant for the best price!)
• 3 paper grocery bags
• Clothes pins (or other clip to secure the fabric)
• Tempera Paint (Finger Paint) in red and green
• A wire hanger with white cardboard cover (you only need the cover)
• Yarn (you want it to be sturdy and rustic, like your fabric)
• Matte protective spray so the paint doesn’t fade (optional)
• Fabric Glue or Tape
• A child with cute chubby hands!

Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Put one of the grocery bags on your ironed fabric. Trim the fabric to just a few inches wider than the paper bag on three of the sides and leave about 6 inches on the top (you will be folding it over in a few steps).

Step 2: Lay your fabric on the counter with the side you want visible facing down. Fold the fabric up onto the bag and secure with the clothes pins. You want it to be smooth but not too tight.

Step 3: Turn the bag over. Pour the green paint onto the second grocery bag. Spread it around and press your child’s hand in the paint and stamp a hand print on the fabric. Dip the child’s hand between each stamp so there is good paint coverage. Make sure to space them out well enough that you can see their handprints well (that is the whole point after all!). Set the “canvas” aside to dry before starting step 4.

Step 4: Pour red paint onto third grocery bag. You will only need a small amount. Dip your child’s thumb (if they are old enough they can clearly be on their own, my daughter is only two!) in the paint and place red thumbprints where ever you desire (I place mine between each of the gaps in the hands). Set aside to dry before moving on to step 5.

Step 5: Remove clothes pins from one side and replace them with either glue or tape. Repeat with the other side and the bottom.

Step 6: Take the extra fabric on the top and make it smooth. Thread the yarn through the cardboard cover. Place the cardboard cover at the top of the bag (see image below). Fold the fabric over the cover (the cover is now hidden) and secure it with tape or glue as in step 5. You can see in the image below that the glue shows through and that is okay.

Step 7: Decide how long you want the yarn. Knot it and move the yarn until the knot is hidden within the cover. Let it dry completely. Spray with matte protective spray (if desired). Let dry and give away or display proudly!

From personal experience, I can tell you that you will love looking at this for at least 30 years! If you leave room at the top (as I did) you can even put “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” or “Your Child’s Name” at the top in cute felt letters!

Nikki is a Christian work at home mommy to her two children and wife to her husband who serves in the Navy. She loves real food cooking, spending sweet time with the Lord, and blogging about how fun it is to tackle homemaking responsibilities and playtime with her precious daughters. You can find her blogging at ChristianMommyBlogger.