How to Create an Heirloom Footstool

If you're looking to give a gift that lasts, has special meaning and is out of the ordinary, create an heirloom footstool. This present is relatively easy to make and suitable for many different occasions including baby showers, birthday parties, bridal showers and anniversary celebrations. The footstool (personalized with messages from friends, family and loved ones) then becomes a permanent part of the recipient's home to be treasured for many years to come.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Unfinished wood footstool
• Acrylic wood paint
• Paintbrush
• Paint pencils
• Old newspapers
• Clear acrylic sealer
• Paint sponge

1. Paint the footstool before the event with an acrylic wood paint and sponge. Choose a color that compliments the home decor or is a favorite of the person you're giving it to. You can also select one that fits the occasion. For example, pastels are ideal for new babies, while a color that's part of the wedding theme works for bridal showers.

2. Pass out the paint pencils to the guests; inviting them to write messages to the couple, new parents, baby or one celebrating the birthday. If the heirloom is a surprise, arrange for the guests to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to sign. Otherwise, start right before the gift opening or at another point so the footstool is finished by the time the celebration is over.

3. Check to see if the messages are dry by testing an inconspicuous area with a dry tissue or old cloth. For example, test a message written on the bottom of the footstool rather than the top.

4. Use the paint sponge to apply two coats of clear acrylic sealer to the footstool. Follow the directions on the back of the product.

5. Present the heirloom piece to the recipient(s) at a meaningful moment. If everyone signed it at a baby shower, for example, give the finished footstool to the parents when the baby is born. If it's going to an engaged couple, present it to them at the wedding reception.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a footstool that's large enough so everyone invited has a place to sign.
• Bring enough paint pencils so that there is at least one per table.
• Invite a close friend or family member to be in charge of presenting the heirloom to the recipient.
• Don't paint the footstool the same day as the event because it may not have enough time to dry before the guests personalize it.
• Don't pass the footstool around for guests to personalize, in case the messages smear. Instead, place it in a central location for guests to sign.
• Don't let young children sign unsupervised.
• Don't seal the footstool at the celebration venue if it's a public place.