Fingerprint Nativity Cards

These adorable Christmas cards are sure to bring a smile to your loved ones this year! Grab your kiddos and let's get started!!!

Supplies:
8.5x11 white card stock
Ink pads
Fine tip markers

Directions:
1. Cut the card stock pages in half to yield 5.5x8.5 sheets. Fold each of these in half to create your cards.

2. Place a fingerprint for baby Jesus in the center of the page and one for Mary and Joseph on either side. Tilting them slightly towards the manger to give the appearance of bowing. Place three fingerprints to one side of the manger that will become the three wise men, and two on the other side that will become shepherds. Finally, place a fingerprint at the top to make an angel.

3. Draw a open house surrounding Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, a manger beneath baby Jesus and a star above the house.

4. To draw the details on the characters... draw small arcs for closed eyes, crowns on the wise men, and shepherds croaks for the shepherds. Draw wings and a halo on the angel and a small o mouth for a singing mouth.

5. To draw the head coverings for Mary, Joseph & the shepherds - start by drawing a curve from the forehead to the back of the head. Next draw the back of the covering beginning your line at the forehead where you started the curve and following the outline of the head down the 'back'. Finally, draw the front of the covering from the ear-line of the covering downward meeting at the bottom if the back line in one continuous line. (See illustration above) They don't have to look perfect - the imperfections are part of the charm.

6. Finish your cards with a greeting and fingerprint family signature inside!! :)

These go quickly once you have done a few. Line up a bunch of cards side by side and finish one step at a time. Or set up an assembly line with each person assigned a specific element if the cards. Put on some Christmas music and enjoy a special time with your kids creating the adorable JOY offerings.

PS - Just as a heads up....your fingers will probably be stained for a day or two after ;)