Cherished Holiday Memories: Crafting Easy Handprint Ornaments with Pottery Barn Kids Kits
As the holiday season draws near, there’s a unique magic that fills our homes, often centered around cherished family traditions. For many, one of the most heartwarming customs is creating handmade keepsake ornaments. These tiny treasures not only adorn our Christmas trees but also capture fleeting moments in time, allowing us to look back with fondness as our children grow.
In previous years, my son and I have delved into crafting salt dough ornaments. While these classic DIY projects offer a wonderful creative outlet and a touch of rustic charm, they can also be quite time-consuming, involving mixing, baking, and decorating. This year, with the exciting anticipation of a new baby joining our family any day now, I found myself in need of a simpler, quicker, yet equally meaningful alternative. The goal was to ensure we could still create a special ornament with my son, and importantly, have an identical, hassle-free option ready for the new arrival.
Discovering the Simplicity of Pottery Barn Kids Holiday Handprint Ornament Kits
My quest for an effortless and elegant keepsake solution led me straight to Pottery Barn Kids. Their Holiday Handprint Ornament Kits immediately caught my eye. Priced around $15, these kits promised convenience and quality, making them an ideal choice for busy parents or those looking for a stress-free crafting experience. The idea of capturing my children’s tiny hands and feet in a timeless ornament, without the usual mess and extensive preparation, was incredibly appealing.
These kits eliminate the need for gathering various ingredients, measuring, and baking. Everything you need is neatly packaged, allowing you to focus purely on the joyful experience of creating with your child. The affordability, combined with the professional finish these kits offer, makes them a fantastic value for anyone looking to create lasting holiday memories.
What’s Inside the Box? First Impressions of the Air-Dry Clay
Upon opening the kit, I was pleased to find all the necessary supplies neatly organized within. The centerpiece, of course, was the clay. My initial expectation was for a harder, more traditional modeling clay, but I was pleasantly surprised by the incredibly soft, pliable texture of the air-dry clay included. This softness proved to be a significant advantage, as it made the clay remarkably easy to work with, ensuring that even the gentlest pressure from a child’s hand or foot would create a clear and lasting impression.
The air-dry nature of the clay is a true game-changer. Unlike oven-bake clays or salt dough that require precise baking times and temperatures, this clay simply needs to be left out to dry. This removes a major step from the crafting process, significantly reducing the overall time and effort involved. It’s a perfect solution for spontaneous crafting sessions or when you have limited time but still want to engage in a meaningful holiday activity.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Handprint Ornament
Creating these keepsakes with the Pottery Barn Kids kit is not just easy, it’s an enjoyable experience that brings genuine excitement to children. Here’s a detailed look at the simple steps:
1. Preparing Your Workspace and the Clay
Before you begin, set up a clean, flat surface. I recommend covering your table with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to ensure easy cleanup, although the clay is relatively mess-free. Remove the clay from its packaging and knead it gently for a minute or two. This helps to soften it further and remove any air bubbles, making it even more pliable for a smooth impression.
2. Making the Perfect Imprint
This is arguably the most exciting part! My son was absolutely thrilled to press his hand into the soft clay. For best results, gently press your child’s hand or foot firmly but carefully into the clay. Don’t be afraid to try a few times. The beauty of this air-dry clay is its incredible forgivingness; if you don’t get a perfect imprint on the first try, simply re-knead the clay and smooth it out to start fresh. We experimented a couple of times to ensure the print was deep enough to be clearly visible once dry. The soft texture of the clay makes this a stress-free process for both parent and child.
3. Personalizing Your Ornament
Adding a personal touch elevates these ornaments from simple crafts to truly unique keepsakes. After the handprint was made, I wanted to include my son’s name and the year directly into the clay. For this, I found the blunt end of a safety pin to be an excellent tool, allowing for precise, clear carving. A toothpick, a pencil tip, or even a specialized clay modeling tool would also work wonderfully. Carefully engrave the name, date, or any special message you wish to preserve. This step adds immense sentimental value, ensuring that each ornament tells its own story.
4. Shaping and Finishing Touches
The kit conveniently includes various sized cutters, allowing you to choose the perfect shape for your ornament. For my son’s larger handprint, we opted for the biggest cutter provided. Center the cutter over your handprint and press down firmly to create a clean, circular (or desired shape) ornament. Gently trim away any excess clay around the edges. Before the clay begins to set, remember to make a small indentation or hole at the top of the ornament. This is where you’ll thread your ribbon later for hanging. I used a straw to make a clean, perfectly sized hole.
5. The Drying Process
The final and perhaps easiest step is to simply let your masterpiece dry! Since this is air-dry clay, no baking is required. Place the ornament on a flat, non-stick surface, away from direct sunlight or extreme heat, which could cause cracking. The drying time can vary depending on humidity and the thickness of your ornament, but typically it will take 24-72 hours to fully harden. Once completely dry, your ornament will be rigid and ready to be handled, painted (if desired), and adorned with a ribbon.
The Enduring Magic of Keepsake Ornaments
Once dried and threaded with a festive ribbon, the final, most satisfying step is hanging the ornament on the Christmas tree. My little man was bursting with pride and excitement as he carefully placed his handprint ornament amongst the other decorations. There’s an undeniable joy in seeing their own creation hanging prominently, a tangible symbol of their involvement in the holiday preparations.
What I truly adore about these handprint ornaments is their ability to transcend a single holiday season. They become treasured family heirlooms, pulled out year after year, sparking conversations and evoking precious memories. Each year, as my son grows, we’ll be able to compare his current handprint to previous ones, marveling at how much he’s changed and reminiscing about the moments captured within the clay. This annual tradition of creating a new ornament is not just about decorating the tree; it’s about building a legacy of love and memory.
Welcoming a New Tradition: Ornaments for Siblings and Beyond
With one beautiful handprint ornament now proudly displayed, another Pottery Barn Kids kit is patiently awaiting the arrival of my sweet baby girl. I’m incredibly excited to capture her tiny handprint soon after she makes her debut, ensuring that both my children have a precious, personalized ornament hanging on our tree before Christmas Day. Creating matching keepsakes for siblings is a wonderful way to symbolize their unique bond and to build a cherished family tradition that will span generations.
These handprint ornaments aren’t just fantastic additions to your own holiday decor; they also make incredibly thoughtful and heartfelt gifts for family members. Imagine the joy on a grandparent’s face receiving an ornament with their grandchild’s handprint, or an aunt and uncle proudly displaying a personalized keepsake. They are perfect for:
- Grandparents: A truly priceless gift they’ll treasure forever.
- Aunts and Uncles: A lovely way to share a piece of your family’s holiday joy.
- Close Friends: Especially those who are like family or who have a special bond with your children.
- New Parents: A thoughtful present for a baby’s first Christmas, encouraging them to start their own tradition.
The simple elegance of these ornaments ensures they will complement any decor style, making them a universally appreciated token of love and memory.
Final Thoughts: Creating Memories, Not Just Ornaments
In the whirlwind of holiday preparations, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. However, moments like these – sitting down with your child, creating something beautiful and meaningful together – are what truly define the holiday spirit. The Pottery Barn Kids Handprint Ornament Kits provide an accessible, enjoyable, and mess-free way to create these invaluable memories. They offer the perfect balance of convenience and heartfelt sentiment, proving that sometimes, the simplest traditions are the most profound.
Do you make keepsake ornaments every year with your family? If so, what is your favorite way to create them? Share your traditions and tips in the comments below!
Disclosure: This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign withPollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own.