Creating Memories: Baby Handprint and Footprint Ornaments

There’s something almost impossible to describe about the size of a newborn’s hand or foot. It’s the kind of detail you swear you’ll never forget, and yet a few years later you find yourself staring at old photos trying to remember just how small those tiny fingers really were. A baby handprint ornament captures that detail, turning a fleeting moment into a keepsake you can hold onto.

Here’s how to capture a great print at home and turn it into a custom ornament for your tree.

Why handprint and footprint ornaments are so meaningful

Babies grow fast, faster than most parents are prepared for. A baby footprint ornament isn’t just cute decor; it’s proof of exactly how small your child once was. Printed at actual size, a handprint or footprint gives you something you can hold your own hand up to years later and feel the difference.

These ornaments also make meaningful gifts. Grandparents in particular tend to treasure them, since they offer a tangible connection to a grandchild’s earliest days, something to hold and look at, not just a picture on a phone.

How to make a baby handprint ornament

The process is simpler than it sounds:

1. Capture the print. Use a baby-safe inkless print kit or washable ink pad to press your baby’s hand or foot onto plain white paper.
2. Scan or photograph it. Scan the paper, or take a straight-on photo in good daylight so the edges are sharp.
3. Upload it to a custom ornament. Our create-your-own Christmas ornament lets you upload any design, so add the print along with your baby’s name, birth date or a short phrase.
4. Receive your finished keepsake. The print is reproduced in full color on shatterproof acrylic, ready to hang.

Because the ornament is printed from your scan, there’s no fragile clay to crack and no paint to touch up, and you keep the original paper print too.

Handprint vs. footprint: which should you choose?

There’s no wrong answer; it comes down to personal preference. Some parents love a baby handprint ornament because hands feel more personal, almost like a tiny wave hello. Others prefer footprints, especially in those first sleepy weeks when a foot is often easier to capture cleanly.

Many families choose both, either on a single ornament or as a matching pair displayed side by side on the tree. With 2-sided printing, you can even put the handprint on the front and the footprint on the back.

Styling ideas for your keepsake ornament

• Classic layout: the print centered, with your baby’s name and date beneath it
• Festive touches: add stars, snowflakes or hearts around the print for a design that feels seasonal as well as sentimental
• Color choice: keep the print in classic black, or pick a soft color that matches the nursery or your tree

Whatever the design, the print itself stays the focal point, a tiny piece of your baby exactly as they were.

Tips for a great print

• Choose a calm moment. A sleepy or recently fed baby tends to cooperate better than one who’s wide awake and wiggly.
• Keep the surface flat. Press the paper against a hard, flat surface (a clipboard works well) to capture the most detail.
• Take a few tries. Do several prints in one session and pick the clearest one to upload.
• Don’t stress about perfection. Slight smudges or uneven edges often add to the charm.

A keepsake that grows with your family

One of the best parts of a baby handprint ornament is watching it become part of a larger collection. Many families add a new ornament each Christmas, and having that very first handprint as the starting point makes the whole collection more meaningful. For more ideas, see our guide to baby’s first Christmas handprint and footprint keepsakes.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special handprint kit? Not necessarily. Any baby-safe inkless kit or washable ink pad and plain paper will do. What matters is a clear print you can scan or photograph.

What’s the best age to capture a handprint or footprint? Many parents capture the print in the first few weeks or months, while it’s still newborn-sized. There’s no strict deadline; some families do it later in the first year.

Can I order a footprint ornament for more than one child? Yes. Many families order a matching set, one per child, so each print becomes part of a coordinated collection on the tree.

How long will the print last? The design is printed on shatterproof acrylic made to be a lasting keepsake. Store it wrapped in tissue between seasons to keep it scratch-free.

Final thoughts

Your baby’s hands and feet will never be quite this small again. A custom handprint or footprint ornament makes sure that detail isn’t lost to time; it’s preserved on your tree, and in your family’s story.