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Christmas ornaments can be found in many different shapes, sizes and designs. The perfect round bulb isn’t the norm anymore. In fact more people are making the ornaments they put on their trees each year. Here’s an idea for a handmade ornament that your children can make themselves.

What You’ll Need

* Baking clay
* Paint
* Paintbrush
* Ribbon

Instructions

Baking clay can be purchased at any craft store. It’s easy to use and can be baked right in your own oven. Just be sure everyone follows the directions on the package when baking the clay.

The children will need enough clay to make a handprint and leave a little extra around the edges. Roll the clay into a ball. Place the ball of clay on a flat surface. Place their flat hand over the top of the clay and push to flatten the clay. They will see their handprint in the clay when they are done. They want to make sure they have a little extra around the edges of their hand print. They may need to flatten the extra down just a little bit. When that is completed they can take a pencil to poke a hole through the top to hold the ribbon on the ornament.

Now bake the hand print according to the package directions. Be sure to follow the directions carefully so the ornament comes out correctly. When the ornament has baked let it cool completely before painting and decorating it.

When the ornament has cooled it’s time to paint it. Let the children paint their ornament any color they choose. Make sure they paint both sides as it will be hanging on the tree and everyone can see both sides. Using a smaller paint brush they can add their name and the year it was created right on the hand print. Once the paint has dried, place the ribbon through the hole made in the top and tie if off with a bow.

Now they have an ornament of their very own to place on the Christmas tree. If they would like to have their ornament displayed all year you can use it as a paperweight on your desk. Each Christmas when it is hung on the tree you will all remember the fun you had making these ornaments together.

Submitted by Christmas Fun

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