christmas keepsake

if you're anything like our family, every year when you're decorating your christmas tree there are always those special keepsake ornaments that are so fun to put on the tree.  memories from when you were a kid or of the person who gave it to you coming flashing back.  we love looking at our old keepsakes and this year was no different.  everyone loves a christmas ornament keepsake, right?!?  here's an idea of how you can capture a memory of today and remember it for years to come.  we did this with the boys last year and it was so fun to get them out this year and see how much they've grown. 

here's how to make it:  to begin, get a ornament bulb of your choice (or maybe two or three, just in case).  using acrylic paint (be sure not to use tempera or washable), coat the inside of your child's hand.  simply place the ornament bulb in your child's hand and tell your child to grasp the bulb tightly.  press his/her fingers to be sure the impression is clear.  now you have a handprint (we had to do this several time to get a good print). each finger of the handprint becomes a snowman.  use sharpie markers to design your snowmen to your fancy.  label it with your child's name and the year and there you have it, a perfect christmas keepsake!