Dishwasher safe Reindeer thumbprint mugs 15

We have made thumbprint cups before and they were the inspiration for these Thumbprint Reindeer ornaments and Reindeer thumbprint mugs (which are dishwasher safe) they have always gone down a storm. This year my little crafty mission was to take this fun tradition and reindeer fingerprint mugs as Christmas gifts for the boys’ teachers and teaching assistants. I think that it is always lovely to make personalised gifts and I know their grandparents will love these Reindeer thumbprint mugs with their grandchildren thumbprints on them and that they make the perfect keepsake for the whole family.

I love finding just the right holiday gift for friends and family and that this what These Reindeer Thumbprint mugs come into their own. They are a fun kids craft for the holiday season and a fun keepsake that all family members will be receiving. I think they are the perfect addition to grandmas and papa’s seasonal decoration and brilliant holiday gifts.

Reindeer Thumbprint Mugs

Materials

1. We pick up inexpensive porcelain cups from supermarkets when we see them and never pay for than £1 for each of them.
2. Black and Red porcelain paint pen (Not a black sharpie as this isnt permenant)
3. porcelain paint

How to make Reindeer Thumbprint Mugs

I try to make sure that I have baby wipes on hand or a bowl of soapy water, the paint hasn’t stained, but I don’t want to take the chance! If you have toddlers or preschoolers then it really helps to plan something to do with them whilst the paint dries between the steps.

Using a paintbrush apply a small coat of brown paint to your child’s thumb, or if they are bigger they can do this themselves.

Then apply the thumb to the cup and hold and try to remove it without smudging (don’t worry if you do get a smudge you can just wipe it off and start again as the paint isn’t permanent until it is baked).

Continue to do this around all the cups and then leave 30 minutes to allow to dry.

Using red paint apply a dot for a “red nose” with a paintbrush to each reindeer and again allow to dry for 30 mins before adding the antler and eyes with the porcelain paint pen.

We then followed the instructions on the paint for baking the mugs so that they are dishwasher proof. We have mugs 5 years old that are still going strong. Make sure you add the date and your child’s name on the bottom.

As the boys are getting older they are able to freehand and add the antlers and detail themselves and yes they do not look perfect, but that is half of the charm of them.

How to make a Reindeer Thumbprint Ornaments

We have also made kids’ ornaments with Thumbprints and they really are some of my favourite handmade ornaments that hang on our Christmas tree. My MIL loves these sorts of personal gifts and cherishes them, which inspires me to make more with the children.

Materials:

• Baubles – matt ones work best
• Brown Acrylic paint
• Red Acrylic Paint
• Black permanent markers
• Ribbon
• Paper plate

We really learned from our mistakes with these tiny ornaments. Next time I would do this with acrylic paint as it would stand out more and also with bigger ornaments, but I will be looking for more baubles in the sale. The matt ones are the most effective. I am also going to pop the year and initial on the underside and keep a couple of our trees, this would be a great thing to do each year.

Other Thumbprint Christmas Ornaments

• Snowmen ThumbPrint Ornament – Whos the Mummy?
• Penguin Thumbprint Ornament – OT Mom Says
• Robin Thumbprint Ornament – via Pinterest
• Thumbprint Lights Ornament – The Happier Home Maker
• Gingerbreadman Thumbprint Ornament – the Educators Spin on it
• Cross Thumbprint Ornament – It gos in a Blink