Holiday Baby Crafts

It seems like there’s no better gift for grandparents or dad than a hand-made craft featuring your baby. But babies are notoriously uncooperative when it comes to sitting still for a silhouette or being helpful when making cookies or jam. Baby crafts need to be simple and fun and FAST.

The trick to getting your baby to cooperate is finding the perfect time of day. Your baby must be well-rested and not hungry or fractious. If you have a moment like this (good luck), check out some of these holiday craft ideas:

Baby Footprint Wrapping Paper

I confess: I’m big into the wrapping paper theme thing. Last year, pre-Eian, my theme was snow flakes with silver and blue. The year before, it was old-fashioned prints on craft paper with red and green velvet ribbon. This year, like everything else in our lives, the theme is related to Eian. I’m planning to unroll inexpensive white or brown wrapping paper on my kitchen floor. Then, using non-toxic, washable paints, I will use Eian as a human rubber stamp. My ideal image of the outcome is red and green baby footprints all over the white wrapping paper. However, if I’ve learned nothing else this year, it’s that when you plan something involving a baby, it rarely turns out exactly as you imagine.

Framed Baby Handprint

Crayola makes this awesome modeling clay for kids. It’s non-toxic, and it’s really easy to mix colors. To do this craft, combine the colors of clay you need to make the desired end result. For Eian, we did kind of a turquoise blue to go with his room. Then firmly press your child’s hand into the clay. Allow the clay to dry, and frame it in a shadow box. Voila! Instant tears of joy from Grandma!