Baby Imprint Gifts

• Baby imprints make an adorable gift option. The first impressions of a baby's tiny feet or chubby hands give parents a treasured memory and a unique display. Many molds and stamps are available at affordable prices making the gift thoughtful and practical. These gifts require parents or caregivers to make the imprint, so keep in mind how willing they may be do some craft work. Imprint gifts are sure to be lasting keepsakes for a growing family, however.

Molds

• A three-dimensional impression of a foot or hand can be made several ways. Lightweight clay molds are the easiest. Look for a kit with air-dry clay as well as tools to shape it and form it. While not as user-friendly as stamps, plaster is another choice for molds. Plaster kits are readily available, but they do require more mixing and preparation. They also may not be as forgiving as clay when it comes to mistakes. For the greatest durability, a clay mold professionally fired in a kiln is an option. These kits are more expensive than at-home options, but they can look more sophisticated and last longer.

Stamp Imprints

• Baby footprints, hand prints and fingerprints make delightful artist tools and offer endless creativity. There are several different colored stamp inks to allow for personalization. Classic black, however, can make the stamp seem timeless. Nontoxic ink is a must. There also are special acid-free formulas that are washable and help prevent smudges. Stamp kits are widely available from big box stores and online sources. They offer a lot of diversity, including kits to make Christmas ornaments from tiny fingerprints or more traditional kits that preserve footprints placed side by side.

Hand Print Tower

• Pencil marks on the wall aren't the only way to track a baby's growth. There are kits for taking hand prints of children and displaying them in a clever fashion. One company offers five round tins, each one slightly bigger. Inside the tin is the clay in which the child leaves the hand print. The child makes one imprint for each of its first five years. The tins nest inside each other to create a tower, and a record of growth for the baby's first five years.