Handmade Ornaments for Expectant Parents

Flat Ornaments

• Make a flat hanging ornament from either a wood, metal, plastic or clay foundation. Hobby and craft stores carry a wide variety of plain flat ornaments for personalization. Paint or stain the surface as you desire. Use acrylic paint or a permanent marker to write a saying on the ornament. A saying such as Parents to Be; Soon-to-Be Mom and Dad; New Parents Soon; and Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Baby on the Way each provides all who view the ornament with the great news. Write the year on the ornament to help commemorate the event. Add a 1/4-inch satin ribbon hanger for added color.

Marbleized Christmas Ball Ornament

• A marbleized Christmas ball ornament is perfect for your favorite expectant parents. Pull the hanger off the top of a clear glass or plastic Christmas bulb. Tip the ball so it leans slightly to the right. Squeeze in your desired paint color to create a quarter-size drop. Tip the ball so it leans to the left and repeat the process with your second color choice. Rotate the ball to cover the entire surface. The paint will create a marbleized pattern. Pour any excess out of the bulb. Allow the bulb to dry for 15 minutes, then replace the hanger. Add personalization to the outside of the bulb with a liner paintbrush and acrylic paint. Personalization includes phrases such as Expectant Parents; Baby Arriving Soon; Mommy and Daddy to Be; and Baby on the Way. Add the year to make it even more special.

  Here's a trick to painting words on a curved surface: Write the letters or numbers, then put a dot on the end of each line. Make the dot by dipping the blunt end of your paintbrush in the paint. Position the paintbrush at the end of a line and dot. Repeat the process to create a consistent-size dot on each line.

Calendar Ornament

• Commemorate the year and the upcoming event with a small calendar. Small calendars range in size from 1 inches by 2 inches to 4 inches by 4 inches. Open the calendar to the expectant parents' due date. Press the calendar open and circle the due date. Write "From Husband and Wife to Mom and Dad" across the front of the calendar with a permanent marker. Allow the marker to dry for five minutes. Drizzle white glue over the entire surface and allow to completely dry. Attach a 1/4-inch satin ribbon hanger to the top center of the calendar.

Ornament Sculpture

• Make an ornament sculpture from a clear plastic Christmas ball that opens in the center, and small figures of a mom, dad and baby bassinet. These small figures are readily available at hobby and craft stores. Squeeze clear hot glue in the bottom of the ball. Start in the center of the ball and continue to squeeze glue until the bottom quarter of the ball is full. Immediately position the mom, dad and baby bassinet in the glue. Close the Christmas ball and add a hanger. Personalize the ornament with acrylic paint or a permanent marker.