Christmas Hand Wreath

Our Advent Calendar activity for today was to make a hand print wreath. It didn't take long at all and is an easy craft for kids who don't have sensory issues and like to paint.

All you need is some paint, a brush, and some paper. Draw, or trace, a circle onto your paper in whatever size works best for you. I traced the glass lid of my crock pot as a guide. Then, cover your child's hand in paint and let them make the first print. Don't put the paint on too thick or it will get blotchy. We got 2 hand prints from each coat of paint before it was too thin. Then, let your son or daughter use their finger tips to make berries by dotting the paint onto the paper.

You could make this with lots of different variations
-Green paint for "leaves" then red berries (what I had intended, but Charlotte had other ideas)
-Make berries with gold or silver paint for extra sparkle
-Blue hands with silver berries to match a more subtle Christmas or Hanukkah decor
-Spring time variations could include bright pink and yellow hand prints with blue berries

If you wanted to, make your paper the size of a placement and then have your child, or children, do several. Laminate the wreaths and use them to decorate your dinner table. This will also help you preserve the art for future years.

In the end, I don't think it matters which colors you choose. Just remember when crafting or doing art activities with your children that it is the process, not the product that matters. (That's as much a reminder to myself as it is to you!)