Crafting Cherished Memories: Holiday Wreath Keepsake Craft and More

Holiday Keepsakes: Crafting Memories with Your Toddler

The holiday season is here, which means twinkling lights, endless snack crumbs, and approximately 472 pine needles mysteriously appearing on your floor (even if you have a fake tree). It also means the perfect excuse to slow down, get a little messy, and create some keepsake crafts with your toddler.

Now, I know what you’re thinking—crafting with toddlers sounds like an Olympic event in patience. But trust me, this is the kind of project where the process is just as sweet as the final product. Today, we’re making a holiday wreath keepsake that captures those tiny handprints (and footprints!) before they’re suddenly not so tiny anymore. Plus, I’ve got a couple of bonus keepsake ideas if you’re feeling extra festive.

What You’ll Need:

• White cardstock
• Washable green paint (because we know things will get messy)
• A sponge brush
• Red ribbon
• Glue
• Scissors

How to Make It:

1. Paint those little hands and feet – Coat your toddler’s hands in green paint (not their entire body, though they may try) and press them onto the cardstock. Do the same with one foot.
2. Let it dry – Patience is key. This is a great time for a snack break.
3. Cut out the prints – Once dry, carefully cut around each handprint and footprint.
4. Arrange your wreath – Lay out the prints in a circular pattern, shuffling them around until you love the look.
5. Glue it together – Stick everything in place, pressing down firmly so it holds.
6. Add a ribbon – Because every festive wreath needs a bow!

And just like that, you’ve got a keepsake that’s equal parts adorable and sentimental. Frame it, hang it, or gift it to a grandparent who will definitely cry.

More Holiday Keepsake Ideas (for When You’re Feeling Crafty)

1. Thumbprint Ornaments

These are the perfect mix of “aww” and “actually doable.” Plus, they make the sweetest gifts. Check out a full blog post for this keepsake craft here!

What You’ll Need:

• A store-bought ornament clay kit (or homemade salt dough)
• Rolling pin & Christmas-shaped cookie cutters
• A drinking straw (to poke a hole for the ribbon)
• Acrylic paint
• Ribbon or twine

How to Make It:

1. Roll out the clay/salt dough to about ¼ inch thick.
2. Cut out holiday shapes with cookie cutters. Use a straw to make a hole near the top.
3. Have your toddler press their tiny thumb into the ornament to leave a print.
4. Let the ornaments dry completely (or bake if using salt dough).
5. Once dry, decorate with paint, thread a ribbon through the hole, and hang!

They’re simple, sentimental, and way more meaningful than another store-bought ornament.

2. Family Handprint Tree Skirt

Want a keepsake that will come out year after year? This one’s for you. Check out a full blog post for this keepsake craft here!

What You’ll Need:

• A burlap tree skirt
• White fabric paint
• A paintbrush
• Old clothes (because toddlers + paint = chaos)
• Wipes (trust me on this)

How to Make It:

1. Spread out the tree skirt and designate a paint zone (preferably somewhere toddler-proof).
2. Pour some fabric paint onto a plate.
3. Dip your toddler’s hands in the paint and press them onto the tree skirt. Repeat with as many handprints as you want.
4. Let an adult go in and clean up any smudges or fill in gaps with a brush.
5. Let it dry completely before placing it under the tree.

It’s a beautiful, meaningful decoration that grows with your family each year. And if it turns out a little messy? Even better—it’s proof that tiny hands were once that small.

Why This Matters (Beyond the Craft Itself)

Crafting with toddlers isn’t really about the final product. Sure, a tiny handprint wreath is adorable, but the real magic is in the process—watching their little fingers press into paint, seeing their pride when they show off their work, and laughing at the inevitable chaos along the way.

It’s about slowing down. Being present. Finding joy in the simple things—even if those simple things leave a trail of glitter and paint smudges behind. So grab the paint, embrace the mess, and make something special this holiday season. Years from now, you won’t remember the cleanup—but you will remember the moment.

White Cardstock

Washable Paint

Sponge Brushes

Red Ribbon

Red Ribbon Variety Pack