How to Make a Handprint Christmas Wreath

Handcrafted Christmas decorations made by children are always treasured keepsakes. We all have those dog bone ornaments on our tree that our kids or grandkids made in Scouts!

We love to have these little pieces of their handwork, but this project is even more special. When children make a handprint Christmas wreath, you actually preserve their precious little hand print forever. Grandmoms love these, too.

This is a Christmas craft that kids can do almost independently. The supplies are so cheap. By using a cereal box for the base of your wreath, you also teach the concept of recycling.

You can adjust the amount of help you provide according to the age of the child.

EasyInstructionsThings You'll Need:

• cereal box or other cardboard or poster board
• construction paper: green and red
• glue
• crayons or markers

1. Step 1

   The first thing you need to do is trace a plate or bowl to get the size handprint wreath you want to make. If you are recycling a cereal box, you need to use a plate that fits! Also, draw a circle in the center, leaving a two or three inch wide area on which to glue your handprint "leaves."

2. Step 2

   Cut the wreath and center section out. You may need to help with this, if you are using a stiff cardboard. With an older child, they may need help cutting out the center section, or at least getting the center started.

3. Step 3

   The child can now color the cardboard base with green crayon or marker, so that the area that shows through between the "handprint" leaves is green.

4. Step 4

   Using the green construction paper, the next step is to trace the child's handprint. How many you will need is dependent upon how large your wreath will be. You can use the first one you cut out as a pattern to avoid repeatedly tracing. If the child is older, they will be completing this part alone, and they will enjoy the repeated hand tracing, probably!

5. Step 5

   You may need to help with the cutting out, even with an older child.

6. Step 6

   Glue the handprint "leaves" around the wreath base, and arrange them to look realistic.

7. Step 7

   Cut a bow shape out of the red, and glue to the top. You can help with this, or show the child how to use triangles to form a bow. You could attach a ribbon bow to your handprint wreath, if you wanted.

8. Step 8

   Attach a loop to hang the handprint wreath, if desired.