HANDPRINT MEMORIES

The holidays are a time when special memories are created and memories of years past are highlighted. Watching children grow can be a sweet time that reminds you of all the things God has done in the life of your family. One way to set those memories in place is with handprint art. You may consider making an extra set to send to birth parents, grandparents, or others who are special in the life of your family. Wendy, one of our Lifeline moms through domestic adoption, tells us that holiday salt dough ornaments is one thing her family sends to her son’s birth parents every year.

Handprint (or footprint) art can consist of painting a hand and making a print, printing on pottery at a studio, doing an imprint, or anything else your creativity can imagine. Below is one way to make salt dough ornaments. You can look online for ideas on how to paint your print to look like many holiday scenes or characters (like Rudolph, a Christmas tree, or mistletoe), or allow your child to make his or her own painted masterpiece.

INGREDIENTS 2 cups of all-purpose flour 1 cup of salt 1 cup of water (you may need less) Acrylic paint, if you want to paint Sealer like Mod Podge® Ribbon for ornament hanger

DIRECTIONS Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Add water slowly. You may not need a full cup. Knead the mixture into a smooth dough. If it becomes too sticky, add more flour. If it’s too crumbly, add more water. Roll your dough into a ball and then flatten into a circle of about 1 cm thickness, using your hand or a rolling pin. The circle should be slightly larger than your child’s hand. Help your child make a handprint in the dough. Poke a hole near the top for your ribbon to go through. You can dry out salt dough in the oven at a very low temperature (such as 200° F) for several hours, flipping them a few times. You can also dry out the salt dough by microwaving it for 10 seconds at a time. Or, you can allow the dough to air dry for several days, or until dry. Paint your creation, if you desire. Seal the front and back with a sealer to keep moisture from getting into your dough. Tie your ribbon through the hole to make the ornament hanger. Store in an airtight container in a warm, dry room. You may wish to wrap them in white tissue paper for extra protection.

Hope & Peace at Home

Lifeline’s Counseling Team wants to help you bring hope and peace into your home this holiday season. No matter your family dynamics or where you are in the adoption process, we invite you to reach out to one of our Christian, certified, and trained therapists today.

CALL 205-967-0811 OR EMAIL COUNSELING@LIFELINECHILD.ORG

The Well is an initiative by Lifeline Children’s Services built to meet the physical needs of women in unexpected pregnancies. This fund allows our pregnancy counselors to help these women cover rent, utilities, medical costs, food, transportation, and many other needs throughout their pregnancy, hospital stay, and after. When we care for and meet their physical needs, abundant opportunities arise for us to share about the One who can meet their ultimate need and take on their sin and shame.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PARTNERING WITH THE WELL INITIATIVE BY DONATING OR MAKING A GIFT BAG FOR A BIRTH MOTHER AT LIFELINECHILD.ORG/THEWELL.