How to Make a Christmas Hand Wreath Out of Paper

Trace around the fingers of a slightly relaxed hand.

A Christmas paper hand wreath is a feathery collection of hand prints made by one individual or an entire family or group. The standard wreath has 10 hand-shaped pieces of paper secured to a ring of paper or cardboard. The wreath, made with green hand shapes that represent evergreen bough tips, has decorations of a paper bow, berries, glitter and stickers. You can make a Christmas hand wreath with various colors and paper decorations.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper or decorative card stock
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• White craft glue
• String
• Tape

Instructions

1. Make a template by tracing around the hand of the child or each family member with a pencil on a piece of cardboard. Have the child place the hand flat, palm down, fingers slightly splayed on the cardboard. Trace slowly around the fingers to keep an even outline. Cut out the template.

2. Place the template on to a piece of green construction paper. Trace the template onto the paper unti you have filled the paper with hand shapes. Cut out at least 10 hand shapes, which will cover a 9-inch circle. A larger or fuller wreath will require 20 to 30 hand shapes.

3. Cut a 4-inch-wide open circle from light weight cardboard. You can recycle a cereal box to save money. Use a recycled corrugated cardboard box panel for a larger wreath.

4. Glue the hand shapes onto the ring with the fingers pointing outward. The wrist area will overlap slightly as you secure each hand to the cardboard ring.

5. Cut out a paper bow or fashion a lightweight fiber bow and glue it to the bottom or one side of the wreath. Decorate the wreath with round paper berries or poinsettia flower paper punch-outs.

6. Spread glue on the berries or portions of the bow. Shake glitter on to the wet glue for a decorative touch.

7. Cut a 5-inch piece of string. Form a U-shaped loop with the string. Tape the string securely to the back of the wreath for a hanger.

Tips & Warnings

• Chose different colors for the decorative hand wreath. Try all white or multicolored hand prints for a modern wreath. Use card stock for a larger, long-lasting wreath.

References

• Crafts and Games: Handy Paper Plate Wreath
• Enchanted Learning: Make a Paper Wreath From Little Hand Prints
• DLTK Holidays: Autumn Hand Print Wreath

Resources

• Family Fun: Helping Hand Wreath