Fingerprint Wreath Photo Ornaments: Simple Christmas Craft for the Classroom

Looking for a quick, easy, and inexpensive Christmas gift your students can make for their parents? 

These Fingerprint Wreath Photo Frame Ornaments are fast, simple, and absolutely adorable. 

They turn tiny fingerprints into a keepsake ornament families will treasure for years!

Below are the step-by-step directions to help you make these festive fingerprint wreaths in your classroom:

Step 1: Gather Supplies

You will need: green Tempera paint (two shades), red Tempera paint, Q-tips, scissors, a hole punch, ribbon, white cardstock, and student photos.

Step 2: Add Student Photos

Take a picture of each student and insert their photo into this PowerPoint. Resize each image to about 2.5 inches tall so it fits neatly inside the boxes on the page. This will ensure the photo is the correct size for the wreath opening.

Step 3: Edit Name Plaques

In the PowerPoint file, type in each student’s name, grade, and the school year to create a name plaque for each student's wreath. Adjust the font style and size as needed.

Step 4: Print Wreath Templates

Choose your wreath design. Options include a blank wreath or one with the year. 

*The year is editable in the PowerPoint file so you can reuse the template each year.*

Print on white cardstock and cut out the wreaths. 

Step 5: Fingerprint Greenery

Pour both shades of green paint onto a paper plate. 

Have students dab their finger in the paint and fill the wreath with fingerprints. They can place prints randomly, create a “V” pattern, overlap them, or mix the shades.

Step 6: Add Red Berries

Cut the tips off Q-tips.

Place a small amount of red paint on a plate and have students dab tiny red dots onto their wreath using the end of the Q-tip.

Step 7: Color the Ribbon

Have students use markers to color a ribbon for their wreath.

They can color a solid design or create a fun pattern. 

Have the students cut out the ribbon and glue it to the top (or bottom) of their wreath.

Step 8: Attach Student Photos

Tape each student’s photo to the back of their wreath so the face shows through the center.

Step 9: Add Name Plaque

Glue or tape each name plaque onto the wreath. 

You can attach it to the front or back—your choice.

Step 10: Laminate

Laminate the wreaths for durability, then cut them out again after laminating.

Step 11: Punch a Hole

Use a hole punch to make a small hole at the top of each wreath for the ribbon.

Step 12: Add Ribbon for Hanging

Thread ribbon (3/8-inch works nicely) through the hole. 

Tie a double knot and trim the ends.

Step 13: Finished Ornament

Your adorable keepsake ornament is complete!

These turn out so cute and make such meaningful holiday gifts.

Step 14: Wrap the Gift

Have students wrap their ornaments. 

(I use my printable Snowman Gift Bag found HERE in my TPT store.)

Your parent gifts are ready to go home!

There are so many different ways you can customize these wreaths. 

Grab everything you need to make the Fingerprint Wreath Ornaments HERE!

I Love You to Pieces Craft | A Great Mother's Day Student-Made Gift Idea

Looking for a meaningful, easy-to-prep craft that your students can gift to someone special?  This "I Love You to Pieces" writing prompt and craft is the perfect student-made gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, Valentine’s Day, or any special occasion!

This craft is perfect for all ages!  It works well for students as young as Pre-K all the way through late elementary grades.

How it Works:

Students will tear pieces of construction paper and use them to fill in two heart shapes, creating a colorful mosaic effect.  

While having fun with the rip-and-tear technique, they’ll also develop fine motor skills.  

Best of all, it’s a simple to prep and budget-friendly craft!

 

What’s Included?

1 Ready-to-Print PDF (Not Editable)

1 Picture Template

 

How to Complete the Craft:

 Color - Students begin by coloring their papers using markers or crayons.

2.   Writing Prompt – Students complete the prompt about someone special they love and why.  Encourage them to use complete sentences and add meaningful details.

3Heart Collage – Provide students with a variety of construction paper colors.  Have them tear the paper into small pieces (no scissors needed!) and glue them inside the hearts to create a mosaic effect.  

**TIP* Encourage students to start with the edges of the hearts first, then fill in the centers.

Add a Picture – Take and print a 4x6 photo of each student.  

Using the template, cut the pictures down to size and glue them into the frame.  

No photos?  No problem!  Students can draw a self-portrait instead.

Laminate – Once the craft is complete and the glue has dried, laminate for extra durability. 

       Gift Time! – Students are ready to surprise their special someone with their heartfelt, handmade keepsake.

 

This quick, easy, and budget-friendly craft is a perfect, meaningful gift for any special occasion.  Whether for Mother’s Day, Father's Day, Grandparents’ Day, or Valentine’s Day, it’s a keepsake that families will cherish for years to come!

Click HERE to download the "I Love You to Pieces" Printable from my TpT store!

Snow Globe Ornaments {Student Made Parent Gift for Christmas}

Looking for a quick, easy, and inexpensive gift for your students to make for their parents for a Christmas gift?

These Snow Globe ornaments are fast and simple to make!

They are also a great keepsake for parents!

Here are the steps on how to make these Snow Globe ornaments:

Step 1:

First, take pictures of each of your students.  You can have them put on their jackets, hats, gloves, etc. for the picture OR if you have a Christmas PJ day, you can also take pictures then.

Step 2:

When taking each student’s picture have them pose as if they are having fun playing in the snow.  They can pretend they are throwing a snowball, building a snowman, etc.

Step 3:

If you have an iPhone, you can remove the background in each student’s picture by simply holding your finger down on the student in the image.  Then select the options: Share – then Save Image.  

This will now be saved as a new image in your phone.

Step 4:

Add each student’s picture to this PowerPoint presentation.  Resize the image to about 2.6 inches in height.  Each student’s picture should fit inside one of the boxes.

Step 5:

Next, type in each student’s information on each snow globe.  Fill in their name, grade level, and the school year.  You can edit the font style and size to your liking.

Step 6:

Next, save the PowerPoint as a PDF.  To save as a PDF select – File – Export – Create PDF./XPS Document.  Print from the PDF file you just created.  *You must print from the PDF or else the text and images won’t print together.

Step 7:

Print the images of the students on regular copy paper. 

Print the snow globes on white cardstock paper.  Then, cut out each snow globe.

 

Step 8:

Next, have your students use watercolors to paint the sky light blue.  I have found that the light blue water colors look the best for the sky.  It has a pretty sky look and it doesn’t leave those harsh color lines like markers or crayons do.

Step 9:

Next, have your students color the base of their snow globe however they would like.  I like for my students to use crayons on this part.  They can color their base a solid color or add a fun design.

Step 10:

Once everything is colored, cut and glue each student’s picture onto their snow globe.  

Place their picture as low down as you can in the globe so you have plenty of room to add a hole punch up top.

Step 11:

Finally, to make the snow, have your students use bottle glue in the areas they want the snow in.  Then have them add white glitter on top of the glue.

They can add snowballs in their hands, snow falling in the sky, etc.

 

Step 12:

*Tip*  If you are going to laminate the snow globes have the students go light on the glue and glitter.  If you are not laminating them they can go as heavy as they would like on the glitter/glue.

It’s very important to let the glue/glitter completely dry before moving on to the next step.  Here are some examples of what can go wrong if you don't let the glue dry completely.  

The marker and glue bleed together.

I learned the hard way.  LOL  So just make sure everything is completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 13:

Once everything is completely dry I like to laminate the snow globes.  

I like to leave a little clear edge around the snow globe when cutting it out to help the lamination stay together.

Step 14:

Using a hole punch, add a small hole at the top of each snow globe.

Step 15:

Tie a ribbon through that hole.  I like to use ribbon that is 1/4 inch in size.  Double knot it at the end and cut off any extra ribbon.

Step 16:

Then, I also like to tie another piece of ribbon onto the first piece.  I use this piece to form it into a pretty bow.  I like to use ribbon that is 3/8 inch in size.

Step 17:

The ornament is now complete!

These ornaments turn out so cute and are a sweet keepsake parents can put on the Christmas tree each year!

Step 18:

Have your students wrap their ornament.

I have this printable Snowman gift bag that I use. 

 

You can find it on my TPT store HERE!

 

Now your parent gifts are ready to send home!

 

 

Grab everything you need to make the Snow Globe Ornaments HERE!