Step 1: Prepare your area. Before you begin, place a plastic tablecloth over the table you will be using. Spread the tree skirt out over it. (If the tree skirt is wrinkled from the packaging, iron it from the wrong side beforehand). Make sure you have ready access to a sink for people to wash their hands.
Step 2: Squeeze out paint onto the first plastic plate, and then paint one hand. (Be sure the hand that's getting painted is above the plastic plate, NOT above the tree skirt in case any paint drips.) Put 2 coats of paint on the hand; the hand should feel quite wet in order to get a good handprint.
Step 3: Working quickly, help the child place their hand down on the tree skirt where you want the print to be. Hold the hand down, pressing firmly on each finger and in the middle of the palm. Hold the hand down on the tree skirt about 15 seconds to get a good print.
Step 4: Carefully lift the hand from the tree skirt, while using a clean hand to hold the tree skirt steady. If enough paint did not transfer you have two options. You can repaint the hand and place it down in the same place again OR you can use the paintbrush or a q-tip to dab extra paint down on any bare spots.
Step 5: Repeat with the other hand. Continue making handprints, moving around the tree skirt. The paint will dry fairly quickly, so you can wait for each set of prints to dry before making the next if desired.
Step 6: Once the paint is completely dry, you can heat set the handprints with an iron. Working one set of handprints at a time, place a thin cloth over the tree skirt and iron over the handprints, constantly moving the iron around (you must have a cloth between the painted handprints and the iron). This will help the paint to stay set for years. However, machine washing the tree skirt is not recommended.
Step 7: Write the name and date next to each handprint set using a Sharpie.
Step 8: If desired, add pom pom trim around the outer edge of the tree skirt. You can sew the trim on using a zig zag stitch in a matching thread, OR you can glue the trim on using fabric glue such as Liquid Stitch.