The Spirit of Christmas Book and Handprint Tree Memory Craft

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The Spirit of Christmas book and handprint Christmas Tree Craft

The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman is beautifully illustrated and wonderfully sweet book. The story is told in first person between The Spirit of Christmas and a parent. While the parent tries to figure out what’s missing, the Spirit of Christmas keeps suggesting lots of wonderful holiday activities and sights, then finally says “Remember, this all began with a child. Because it took nothing but love to begin it, it’s not really Christmas if love isn’t in it.” And the parent realizes the child is what’s missing. It ends with a very sweet poem to the child telling them to always come home, the best gift is having them home for Christmas.

I have to tell you that I get misty eyed reading this sweet book sometimes. It has quickly become a favorite in our home. And it inspired this handprint Christmas Tree memory craft. This is a mommy craft, too!

What you’ll need:

a Gold Sharpie
a pencil
2 paper plates
green and brown craft paint
white or ivory card stock
paper for backing
Laminator
ribbon for ornament

Pour some green paint into one plate and brown paint into the other, or you can brush on the paint so it’s less gooey. You may need assistance if you have a little one (like Mr. F) to get a good hand print. First, mom or dad makes the big green hand print for the tree. Then make the trunk with your little one’s hand print.

The Spirit of Christmas book and memory hand print craft

Let those dry and then take your gold Sharpie and make a star or angel on top of your tree. Begin at the top and write at an angle to make a gold “garland” of the special things you love about your little one right now in this season. On their hand print “trunk” write their name, the year and their age.

On the back, if you so choose, use your pencil to write a prayer for your child. Add the colored paper backing and laminate it. If you want to make it into an ornament, cut out the 2 sheets together into the shape you want, then laminate and punch a hole for the ribbon. If you keep the full sheet, use it as decor. They are really pretty and a sweet reminder of all the little things you love about your blessings!