Making Christmas decorations doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. In fact, when it comes to Christmas craft ideas, we’ve got you covered. So, why not celebrate the festive season with some of our favourite DIY Christmas decorations?
Let’s start with a simple salt dough Santa handprint. This cute salt dough decoration is perfect for hanging on the tree or around your home. Little ones will love mixing and kneading the salt dough and rolling it out flat.
When it comes to decorating your salt dough Santa handprint, don’t be afraid to get creative! Use glitter and experiment by drawing different Santa expressions — you could even paint Santa’s hat in its original green colour!
How to make a salt dough Santa handprint
Salt dough is super easy to make and very cost effective. There’s no end to all the ways you can make and play with this versatile material. To make a salt dough Santa handprint, just follow the simple steps below.
You will need
- 100g flour
- 100g salt
- Water
- Paint
- Ribbon or string
What to do
1. Put the flour and salt in a bowl. Stir in four tablespoons of water and mix until a soft, smooth dough is formed.
2. Sprinkle a little flour over a sheet of baking paper. Then use a rolling pin to roll the dough out on the baking paper to at least a ¼ inch of thickness.
3. Place your hand flat on the rolled out dough and press down. Use a blunt knife to very carefully trace around the handprint you left. Remember, only grown ups are allowed to do this step.
4. Use a little blob of dough to make Santa’s nose and two blobs of dough to make Santa’s moustache. Use another two blobs to make Santa’s eyebrows. Very gently press them onto Santa’s face — you can use a little bit of water to blend them in.
5. Punch a straw or paintbrush handle into the top of the salt dough handprint to make a small hole.
6. Set the Santa handprint to one side in a warm, dark space for about three days (until it has dried completely).
7. Once the salt dough is dry, paint Santa’s face! You can sprinkle a little glitter on top to make Santa extra special and sparkly. Leave to dry.
8. Loop a piece of string or ribbon through the hole in the top of the Santa handprint and tie in a knot.
9. Hang your salt dough Santa handprint on your Christmas tree or in your ho-ho-home!
Spread Christmas cheer with a Santa handprint card
Few things are as special as receiving handmade Christmas gifts. And few Christmas craft ideas are as breathtakingly simple as this four-step greeting card — it’s bound to light up your recipient’s holiday season!
This Christmas arts and crafts idea is so easy to make, and a lovely gesture to send to friends and family. You could even make Santa handprint cards a Christmas tradition for your family! Each year you can watch how the little handprints grow and treasure the memories from each and every Christmastime.
You will need
- Colourful card
- White paint
- Decorating materials
What to do
1. Fold a piece of A4 card in half.
2. Squeeze a splodge of white paint onto a plate and dip your hand in it, making sure that your fingers and palm are covered. Press your paint-covered hand onto the card before carefully removing. Leave to dry.
3. Once your handprint is dry, decorate it to look like Santa! Sprinkle glitter over the card, paint a big red hat and draw a jolly expression. Leave to dry.
4. Write a message inside your Santa handprint card and send it to someone special!
We hope that you have sleigh-loads of fun making your Christmas arts and crafts! Be sure to share your seasonal creations with us on Instagram using the hashtag #toucanbox ☃️🎄
Wrapping up
These Christmas crafts for kids give both you and your child a chance to work together to create something special. It’s these simple moments that can end up making the most treasured of memories.
Eager for more?
🎁 Explore our shop for an enchanting array of books and crafts to keep your little elves busy this festive season!
Looking to create cherished memories all year round?
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We wish you all a very merry festive season!
Edited by James Hickman
Primary school teacher and educational writer
James is a Primary school teacher and copywriter with over 5 years of teaching experience. Having taught not only in the UK but also in Italy and Spain, he enjoys travelling and (having worked in architectural practice in Cambridge) loves crafting too!
