Tree Skirts

theultimatesak

did you ever see that Pinterest thing at thanksgiving where every year you have the people at thanksgiving dinner sign or write something they're thankful for on the tablecloth every year and it becomes a big memory thing? Like this https://pinterest.com/pin/56787645277466850/

I've been wanting to do something like that with my kids and our tree skirt, but I don't know what I want to do exactly. Have them do a new handprint on it each year? Write on their biggest Christmas wish of the year? Best memory from the year? Something else?
Do you all have any suggestions?

Brandiewine11

I love the idea of the handprint. Maybe create a book to go along with it for space to write the best memory from the year?

stoneycakes

Mapleme said:

I like the idea of it being a bit different each year. Maybe handprints or footprints when they're younger, simple written words when they learn to write and more in depth statements when they're older. That way *what* they do is also a marker of time

I like this, too.  It think it would be more aesthetically pleasing as well.

stoneycakes

I delude myself into thinking I'm going to sew a grand Christmas tree skirt every year around Thanksgiving.  I never do.  

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rlb284

I love this idea! Especially since its our first Christmas with baby and i'm looking for something to be our "thing."

Related - What would you use for handprints to make sure it lasted over time?

 

sarenu1

Why not start making a Christmas tree skirt?

Cut patches of red and white fabric that you can quilt together each year.

That way all you need to do this year is get the patches.  Each year have the kids to hand prints or foot prints with their name and year.  

Then you have all year to sew last years onto the quilt.  Once it's big enough you can put it under the tree.

I may steal this idea.

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sarenu1

theultimatesak said:

Why not start making a Christmas tree skirt?

Cut patches of red and white fabric that you can quilt together each year.

That way all you need to do this year is get the patches.  Each year have the kids to hand prints or foot prints with their name and year.  

Then you have all year to sew last years onto the quilt.  Once it's big enough you can put it under the tree.

I may steal this idea.

I love this, but I want it under the tree now.

Who says you can't put the in-progress one under there?  Just back it with your present tree skirt.

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sarenu1

theultimatesak said:

And I'd likely just use acrylic paint for a handprint. It would stand up in the wash if I had to do it, but in the 10 years I've been putting up my own tree I've never once washed the skirt that is under there. It doesn't get dirty. Is it weird not to wash it?

Nope, I just shake the fabric that I use out each year. And I don't remember my mom ever washing hers.

ComeMai

I made a heavy felt tree skirt to replicate one my mom made when she was pregnant with her first baby. That one has held up for 45+ years. I think it comes in 72in width, so you can make the skirt pretty big.It's also easy to attach stuff with fusible web. I sewed some trim around the edge to finish it. Pretty easy. You could use fabric paint or acrylic for the handprints. Both would stick.

frass

I love the idea of writing the kids' favorite memories from the year on the tree skirt! Direct quotes from when they're little will be pretty funny years later. Plus, it will be fun to reminisce every year.

I write my kids' Christmas wishes on ball ornaments to hang on the tree... It's been fun to read them as we decorate the tree the last few years.

lookame3639

I think it'd be fun to read what their wish was each year(toy wise) but frass has a good idea of putting them in ornaments

A family tradition is every year we paint ceraminc ornaments(unless the kids are to young then they get wooden ones)it's fun to see the kids artistic abilities grow and their favorite colors throughout the years.