Sunday, December 6, 2009

favorite holiday ornaments

This is one of my favorite ornaments on our tree.

This is the Christmas bulb we passed out to family and friends instead of Christmas cards last year. I know I saw the idea somewhere, but I know it's been several years ago. I think I stumbled on the idea when Bee was a tiny baby. I had to wait three Christmas' to do it. I tried when she was two, but she wouldn't get her hand on the bulb right. The next year, at three, she was great. I'm glad we waited anyway; the family of four snowmen makes more sense if you are a family of four, which we now are.

You just paint a white hand print of your little ones on a glass bulb ornament. I did a little touch up on the fingers to make them nice and round looking. I find it's easiest to paint on your little ones hand with a brush rather than have them dip their hands in a tub of paint. Personal preference. I also prefer to have them do hand and foot print painted projects just as they are getting in the bath tub. I think I had her just hold her hand out of the tub while she was bathing and let me do most of the work positioning her hand on the bulb, etc.



The four little snowmen were then decorated with acrylic paint. I added a painted palm tree on the back since we lived where it was sunny and warm last year. I also used a thin paint pen to add our names. They came together pretty quickly but were very fragile as we toted them around in bike, car and plane last year. (We used to ride our bikes with the kids in tow to dance class each week and to the farmers market each week.... Oh, to be riding bikes at this time of year..... It's 20 degrees out right now)

2 comments:

grandma said...

That is a clever treat. I'm sure your friends in Florida are remembering great times with you as they decorate their trees. Not only do we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but remember other Christmas seasons. Friends certainly make it a happy time.

Traci said...

What a great idea! I can't wait to go home and try this project with my little one. This will be a great gift for the family. Thank you!