Baby Christmas Crafts for Keepsake Art, Ornaments and Gifts

By Jan Bay

Baby Christmas crafts turn tiny handprints, footprints and simple holiday projects into keepsakes families can bring out year after year. These ideas include ornaments, framed art, handmade gifts and easy projects that adults can make with babies for a memorable first Christmas.

Washable Craft Paint for Baby Handprint and Footprint Projects

Baby Christmas Crafts for a First Christmas Worth Keeping

A baby's first Christmas gives you plenty of reasons to make something, but the projects I would choose are the ones that preserve a small detail from right now. A tiny footprint, the outline of a hand or a favorite holiday photo gives a simple craft meaning that a store-bought decoration cannot duplicate.

You also do not need an elaborate project. With babies, simpler is often better. The baby can provide the handprint, footprint or photo while an adult does the cutting, painting around the print, lettering, gluing and finishing.

Before you begin, decide what you want the finished piece to become. A print made for a frame needs a different layout from one that will be cut into an ornament. Planning the finished shape first keeps you from discovering later that the sweetest little footprint is too close to the edge of the paper.

If you want more projects beyond Christmas, visit Baby Crafts and Keepsake Ideas for handmade ideas that can be adapted for birthdays, gifts and nursery displays.

A simple supply basket for Christmas keepsakes

You can make several of the projects on this page from the same small group of supplies. There is no need to buy a separate craft kit for every idea.

• Washable paint intended for children's art projects
• Heavy white or colored cardstock
• A small foam brush
• Plain kraft paper or scrap paper for practice prints
• Fine-tip markers for adult-added details
• Child-safe scissors for adult use
• Acid-free craft glue or adhesive for adult use
• Frames, heavy backing board or unbreakable ornament blanks as needed
• Baby wipes and a damp washcloth for immediate cleanup

Set everything within the adult's reach before bringing the baby into the project. A wet footprint is much easier to manage when the clean towel is already beside you.

Baby Handprint Christmas Crafts

A handprint can become a Christmas tree, wreath, Santa beard, pair of mittens or simple framed keepsake. The challenge is not finding ideas. The challenge is getting a print that still looks like a tiny hand instead of a green or red blur.

Use less paint than you think you need. A thin, even coat shows the shape of the fingers better than a thick layer. I would paint the palm with a foam brush instead of dipping the whole hand into a puddle of paint.

Handprint Christmas tree keepsake

Materials

• Heavy white cardstock
• Washable green paint whose label specifically permits the intended skin-contact use and the baby's age; follow all manufacturer directions
• Small foam brush
• Gold, red or dark green marker for adult-added details
• Scrap paper
• Frame or heavy backing board

Steps

1. Place the cardstock on a firm, flat surface and tape the corners lightly so the paper cannot slide.
2. Make one practice handprint on scrap paper before using the final sheet.
3. Brush a thin coat of green paint across the baby's palm and fingers.
4. Guide the hand straight down onto the cardstock with the fingers pointing toward the top of the page.
5. Press the palm and each finger gently. Do not rock the hand from side to side.
6. Lift the hand straight up and clean the baby's skin immediately.
7. Let the print dry completely, then remove the corner tape.
8. Keep the handprint upright with the fingers pointing toward the top of the page. An adult can add a small trunk below the palm, a star above the tallest fingertip and a few simple ornament dots.
9. Add the baby's name and Christmas date beneath the print or on the back.
10. Frame the finished artwork after all paint and ink are dry.

I prefer a little empty space around the handprint rather than filling every corner with decorations. The tiny hand is the keepsake. The extra details should help it read as Christmas without hiding it.

Handprint wreath

For a wreath, make several green handprints on separate pieces of cardstock. Let them dry, then have an adult cut around the prints and arrange them in a circle. Add a paper bow at the bottom. Because each print stays intact, this also works well if the first few handprints are not perfectly centered.

A large wreath can hold prints from siblings or cousins. Put each child's name on the back of the corresponding print before assembling the wreath so you never have to guess later.

Baby Footprint Christmas Crafts

Footprints are often easier to capture than handprints because babies naturally curl their fingers. A foot can usually be placed flat for a second or two without asking the baby to keep five tiny fingers open at the same time.

For the clearest print, brush a light coat of paint over the sole and place the heel down first. Then lower the rest of the foot toward the toes. Lift it straight up instead of sliding it away from the page.

Footprint reindeer keepsake

Materials

• Heavy cream or white cardstock
• Washable brown paint whose label specifically permits the intended skin-contact use and the baby's age; follow all manufacturer directions
• Small foam brush
• Dark brown marker
• Red marker, or a small red paper circle with adult-applied craft glue
• Frame or card blank

Steps

1. Place the cardstock on a flat work surface.
2. Brush a thin layer of brown paint over the baby's foot.
3. Press the heel onto the paper first, then lower the toes.
4. Press lightly across the ball of the foot and each toe.
5. Lift the foot straight up and wash away the paint.
6. Let the footprint dry fully.
7. Turn the print so the heel becomes the reindeer's face.
8. Have an adult draw antlers above the heel and add simple eyes.
9. Add a small red nose at the bottom of the heel.
10. Write the baby's name and Christmas date beneath the design or on the back.

Footprint Christmas tree

A green footprint also makes a simple tree. Turn the print so the heel is at the top and the toes form the wide lower edge. An adult can add a small star above the heel and a trunk beneath the toes.

For a framed gift, place two footprints side by side with enough blank space beneath them for the baby's name. A single large mat and simple frame keeps the focus on the prints instead of turning the page into a crowded holiday poster.

Baby Christmas Ornaments to Make and Save

An ornament has an advantage over many other keepsakes because it comes back out every December. It does not have to be complicated to earn a permanent place on the tree.

The site's Baby Christmas Ornaments page has more ornament ideas. For this craft collection, I would start with designs that preserve an actual handprint, footprint or photo rather than relying only on a baby's name.

Paper handprint first Christmas ornament

This version avoids asking a baby to handle clay, glue, glitter or small embellishments. The baby supplies the print. An adult completes everything else.

Materials

• Heavy white cardstock
• Washable paint whose label specifically permits the intended skin-contact use and the baby's age; follow all manufacturer directions
• Foam brush
• Clear self-adhesive laminating sheets, or a heat-seal laminating pouch
• Laminator for adult use if using a heat-seal pouch
• Scissors for adult use
• Hole punch
• Wide ribbon

Steps

1. Make the baby's handprint or footprint on heavy cardstock.
2. Clean the baby's skin and allow the print to dry completely.
3. Write the baby's name and Christmas date beside the print or on the back.
4. Trim the cardstock into a circle, oval, mitten or simple tag shape, leaving a generous border around the print.
5. Laminate the entire piece so the painted surface and written details are sealed between the layers.
6. Trim the laminate while leaving a sealed edge around the cardstock.
7. Punch one hole near the top.
8. Thread ribbon through the hole and tie it securely.
9. Hang the ornament high on the tree where a baby cannot reach the ribbon or ornament.

If you are making several for grandparents, make all of the prints during one short session and finish the ornaments later. The adult assembly can wait. The baby's cooperation does not have to.

Footprint ornament without cutting around tiny toes

You do not need to cut precisely around every toe. Place the footprint in the middle of a large oval or circle, then trim the entire background into one clean shape. The result looks neater and is much less likely to lose a toe during trimming.

For a more traditional Christmas look, use deep green, cranberry red or warm brown cardstock around the print. Ivory and white also photograph well if you plan to take a picture before giving the ornament away.

Christmas Cards Made with Baby

A baby's Christmas card can be a craft without requiring the baby to sit through a full photo session. One good photo, one handprint or one footprint can be enough.

If you want photo ideas first, browse Christmas Baby Pictures and choose a simple setup before deciding how the finished card will look.

Footprint Christmas card

Materials

• Blank folded cards or heavy cardstock
• Washable print-making product whose label specifically permits the intended skin contact and the baby's age; follow all manufacturer directions
• Small foam brush
• Fine-tip marker for adult-added details and greeting
• Acid-free craft glue or other paper adhesive for adult use
• Envelopes

Steps

1. Make the footprint on a separate piece of cardstock rather than directly on the folded card.
2. Let the print dry.
3. Trim the print into a rectangle or oval.
4. Attach it to the front of the card with adult-applied adhesive.
5. Add a short Christmas greeting beneath the print.
6. Write the baby's name and age inside if you want the card to double as a keepsake.

Making the print on a separate piece of paper gives you a second chance if the first print smears. It also keeps a wet baby foot away from a stack of finished cards.

Photo and handprint card

For grandparents, a small photograph paired with a handprint makes a particularly personal card. Keep both elements large enough to see. A tiny photo surrounded by stickers, borders and decorations can lose the very detail everyone wants to keep.

Place the photo on one side of the card and the print on the other. Add a short greeting below them. The result feels handmade without asking the baby to participate in several separate craft steps.

Christmas Keepsake Gifts from Baby

Handmade gifts from a baby are really collaborations. The baby provides the detail that cannot be recreated later, while the adult turns it into something sturdy enough to keep.

Framed prints, ornaments and photo keepsakes work especially well for grandparents because they do not need to be useful every day. Their purpose is to save a small piece of the baby's first Christmas.

You can also browse Personalized Baby Gifts for Christmas if you want to combine a handmade keepsake with another Christmas gift.

Framed footprint tree for grandparents

Materials

• Heavy archival-quality cardstock
• Washable green paint whose label specifically permits the intended skin-contact use and the baby's age; follow all manufacturer directions
• Foam brush
• Fine-tip archival marker
• Frame with a mat

Steps

1. Make one green footprint near the center of the cardstock.
2. Clean the baby's foot immediately and let the print dry.
3. Turn the footprint so the heel becomes the top of the tree.
4. Add a small star above the heel and a simple trunk below the toes.
5. Write the baby's name and Christmas date beneath the tree.
6. Allow all materials to dry before placing the artwork behind glass.

I would put a longer message on the back of the frame rather than squeezing it onto the front. The footprint deserves enough open space to remain the first thing you see.

Two-print sibling keepsake

If a new baby has an older sibling, place one print from each child on the same sheet. Use matching paint colors and label each print discreetly underneath. The difference in size becomes part of the keepsake.

A similar idea works for twins. Keep each print separate enough that the individual shapes remain clear, and record the names on the back before framing.

Simple Christmas Crafts for Infants

Calling something a baby craft does not mean an infant needs to handle the supplies. For a very young baby, participation can be as simple as making one handprint or footprint while an adult supports the baby securely.

That approach also makes better keepsakes. A clear print has more meaning later than a complicated project filled with decorations the baby never actually made.

For a newborn

Choose a single footprint project. A newborn does not need to be positioned at a table or asked to open a hand. One adult can support the baby while another uses a print-making product whose label specifically permits the baby's age and the intended skin contact. If the label does not permit that use, choose an inkless baby print kit labeled for the baby's age instead.

Have the final paper ready first. Make one practice print only if the baby is comfortable, then make the keepsake print and stop. Finish the lettering, cutting and framing later.

For a baby who grabs everything

Keep paint pots, markers, scissors, glue, ribbon and ornament parts outside the baby's reach. Make the print, clean the baby's hand or foot, and move the baby away from the craft area before starting the adult assembly.

This is especially important with ribbon, punched paper pieces and other small materials that can quickly end up in a baby's mouth.

For a baby who dislikes handprints

Use a footprint instead. There is no prize for forcing a hand open long enough to make a Christmas tree. A relaxed footprint can preserve the same moment and is often easier to capture cleanly.

You can also use a Christmas photograph as the baby's contribution. Place the photo in a handmade cardstock frame or ornament that an adult finishes afterward.

Keep the project short

Prepare the paper, paint, brush and cleanup supplies before you begin. The actual baby part of the craft should take only a few minutes.

If the first print is good enough, keep it. Tiny variations in the toes and fingers are part of what makes the piece personal.

Baby Christmas Craft Safety

Babies explore with their hands and mouths, so craft supplies need extra attention. Use materials according to the manufacturer's directions and choose art supplies that are specifically intended for children's use.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission explains that children's art materials are subject to safety requirements and that art materials must carry appropriate hazard labeling. Its art materials guidance is a useful reference when choosing paint and other supplies.

• Read the paint or craft-material label before it touches a baby's skin.
• Do not use unlabeled paint or old craft supplies whose contents are uncertain.
• Keep paint away from the baby's eyes and mouth.
• Do not apply paint to irritated, cut or broken skin.
• Wash paint from hands and feet promptly after making the print.
• Keep glue, scissors, markers, ribbon and small ornament pieces in adult hands.
• Do not let a baby chew or suck on a finished craft or ornament.
• Keep finished ornaments and hanging ribbons out of the baby's reach.
• Follow all age, use and warning information printed on the craft product.

The CPSC also advises consumers to look for the statement Conforms to ASTM D-4236 on art materials. That marking relates to the required evaluation and labeling of art-material hazards. It does not establish that a product is appropriate for a baby's skin or age. Follow the product label for its intended use, and do not let a baby mouth the material or handle it without close adult supervision.

Skip glitter, loose beads, buttons and tiny decorative pieces on anything that might come within the baby's reach. A painted print and a simple paper background can make a more attractive keepsake anyway.

A note about salt dough and clay ornaments

Handprint and footprint dough ornaments are popular, but treat the dough and all decorating supplies as adult-controlled craft materials. Do not allow a baby to chew the raw mixture or finished ornament.

If you use an air-dry clay or modeling compound, follow the product's age and safety instructions. A material labeled non-toxic still needs to be used as directed.

Baby Christmas Crafts FAQ

What Christmas crafts can I make with a newborn?

A single footprint keepsake is one of the simplest choices. Turn the print into a Christmas tree, reindeer, framed picture or paper ornament after the baby is cleaned up and comfortable. The adult can complete all cutting, drawing and assembly later.

What paint should I use for baby handprints and footprints?

Choose a washable print-making product whose label specifically permits the intended skin contact and the baby's age. The words "washable" or "non-toxic" by themselves do not establish that a product is appropriate for a baby's skin. Follow the manufacturer's directions, keep the product away from the baby's eyes and mouth, and clean the skin as directed after the print is made.

How can I get a clearer baby handprint?

Apply a thin layer of paint with a foam brush instead of dipping the entire hand into paint. Press the palm down first, then gently press each finger. Lift the hand straight upward rather than sliding it across the paper.

If the baby keeps closing the hand, switch to a footprint project instead of turning the keepsake into a wrestling match.

How do I make a baby footprint without smearing it?

Support the baby's ankle and lower the heel onto the paper first. Roll the rest of the foot gently forward until the toes touch. Press lightly and lift the foot straight up.

Taping the paper to the work surface also helps because the sheet cannot move when the foot touches it.

What can I make for grandparents from a baby's first Christmas?

A framed handprint or footprint, laminated paper ornament, photo card or two-print sibling keepsake makes a personal gift without requiring a complicated project. For additional gift ideas, visit Personalized Baby Gifts for Christmas.

Can I use a Christmas photo instead of paint?

Yes. A favorite photo can become the center of a handmade card, ornament or framed keepsake. The Christmas Baby Pictures page has more ideas for creating the photograph first.

Do all baby's first Christmas crafts need the date on the front?

No. If the front looks better without lettering, write the baby's name, age and Christmas date on the back. The information is still preserved without competing with the handprint, footprint or photograph.

What other handmade Christmas project can I make for a baby?

If you crochet, browse my free Christmas crochet patterns collection, or go directly to the free crochet snowman pattern, free crochet reindeer pattern, free crochet Santa doll pattern, free crochet star pattern and Jingle Bells Christmas Crochet Baby Booties.

The nicest baby Christmas crafts do not need dozens of supplies or perfect prints. Save the little detail that belongs to this Christmas, finish it carefully, and make it sturdy enough to come back out with the decorations next December.