Are you a Calgary DIY Queen mom, or more of a Pinterest-fail mom? Either way, this holiday memory ornament tutorial can be adapted for all levels of craftiness, from “I sew my own Halloween costumes” to “I don’t even own a glue gun.” Read on for a tutorial complete with basic and advanced options as well as modifications for involving your toddler or preschooler!

DIY Memory Ornament

Supplies

Basic level crafters:

- Clear plastic fillable Christmas ball ornament (I paid $8 for a 4-pack at Michaels, they even have online ordering and curbside pickup available). Bigger is better - I’m using the 100mm size, they are slightly bigger than a baseball. 80mm will also work, but they are harder to fill.

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- Epsom bath salts. Any variety is good. If you’re a newly postpartum mom, you almost definitely have these on hand already!

- Oil-based paint Sharpies. * These are NOT regular Sharpies; make sure you look for oil-based, regular Sharpie will NOT work! * Mine were metallic silver and gold and came in a 2-pack at Michaels. I used extra-fine point, but regular would also work.

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- Memory keepsakes. These are at your discretion: my version is shown using baby socks. You could also use baby’s hospital bracelet, or the paper measuring tape from their birth day.

- Glue. Krazy Glue or glue gun for sealing the ornament.

- Hanger. A piece of string/twine/ribbon/ornament hanging hook.

Advanced Level crafters may also wish to use:

- Wired ribbon, sewing tools/glue gun for a handmade bow

- Cricut permanent vinyl in lieu of oil-based Sharpie

Toddler/Preschool crafters may wish to use:

- Other small objects to fill the ball.insteas if salts and memory items. Use discretion over what your child can responsibly handle under your supervision: feathers, wrapping paper scraps, beads, macaroni. Filling the ball piece-by-piece is a great, challenging fine motor exercise for your child, but be sure to watch them closely for choking hazards!

1. fill the ball

   Take the pressure fit cap off the Christmas ball. Fill it 1/4 - 1/3 full with snowy, crystalline sparkly Epsom salts. Use a funnel if you need to, or free pour carefully over the tub or kitchen sink. ;)

2. add keepsake items

   Add the bulkiest item first (probably socks). If using socks, I recommend stuffing them with a small piece of Kleenex, tissue paper, or paper towel so that they will hold some shape inside of the ball. Scrunch them into a “snake” and twist them through the opening of the ornament one at a time. Use your pointer finger to adjust their position and “fluffiness” once they’re inside. Add any additional small keepsakes as desired (hospital bracelets, baby measuring tape). Use Krazy Glue or glue gun to add a ring of glue to the outer edge of the opening before replacing the pressure fit cap, otherwise your ball might uncap and spill.

3. decorate the outside

   Using your oil-based Sharpie, add baby’s name (I find first name only or first and middle look nicest), the birth year or full birth date if you wish, or “My First Christmas.”

4. add a hanger

   Thread ornament with your choice of string/twine/ribbon, or an ornament hanging hook. That’s it, you’re done!

Preparing this gift during pregnancy, or for an expectant friend? There's still time to book Calgary doula and birth photography services for 2022 due dates!