I often feel bad for Thanksgiving. It seems that it is often overlooked in the rush of excitement to get to Christmas. Thanksgiving is an important holiday for families and I love that there is not much stress involved in the planning and preparation. It’s a holiday that can be enjoyed by everyone and a chance to express what we are thankful for in our lives.
To help my children experience the true meaning of Thanksgiving and to place more emphasis on this sometimes forgotten holiday, I made a Thanks Giving Tree. I put it up right in our entry hall so we will all pass by it many times a day reminding us of all that we have to be thankful for.
This tree would be awesome for any Thanksgiving guests you are having. Have each guest write down one or two (or more!) things that they are thankful for in their lives and watch the tree grow right before your eyes. Just a fantastic way to visualize and represent how much we all have to be thankful for.
Materials:
brown and fall colored paper
leaf template
scissors
glue dots, adhesive putty, or tape
Instructions:
I made the tree out of brown paper. Just cut out a trunk and some branches and stick it to your wall. I used glue dots but adhesive putty or even tape would work just fine.
Once your tree is looking good, it’s time to cut out some leaves. I traced the leaf onto four different colors of paper and cut them out. You can use the template here. Make sure you cut out plenty so that when you want to add a leaf to the tree you don’t have to cut more out.
I supplemented the paper leaves with some leaves that I got at the dollar store. I don’t have any fancy machines but I printed out “Give Thanks” in a font and size that I liked. Cut it out and put it above the tree.
Each person in our family has different color leaves and anytime we are feeling thankful for something, we can write it down on the leaf and add it to the tree. As we realize how much we have to be thankful for, our tree continues to grow.
Connect with me!
Amy says
Love that I found you, and love this “family tree”. What a great idea for Thanksgiving season. Sharing it with my readers. Thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh thank you Amy! It’s really a great way to focus on the meaning of Thanksgiving as a family. Thanks for stopping b y!
Jenna says
This is adorable. <3 Nice tree too. Looks very Thanksgiving-ish. Sets out autumn colors.
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
What a great idea! And a great sentiment. 🙂 Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
Crystelle says
What a fun way to get the kids involved!
Good work!
Cute too!
hugs ~ Crystelle
Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas says
Thanksgiving definitely gets the short end of the stick. It is one of my favorite holidays.
I really like your thankful tree – we did a mini version of this with a wreath. I would love to do something like this though.
Thanks for sharing & linking to the Sunday Showcase! Hope to see you this week.
Bern
http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Showcase
Jessica Blankenship says
That is so adorable. If I didn’t live in an apartment, I’d make one =)
Im your newest follower. WOuld love a follow back.
Lowri says
Thanks so much for letting me link this post up at Tip Junkie!
You can see it here http://www.tipjunkie.com/15-terrific-thanksgiving-papercraft-tutorials-paper-crafts/
Lowri
Lindsay says
This is the best idea for kids! Perfect for this time of year, and a great reminder of all the blessings we have! Thanks for linking up at Show & Share! I appreciate your support!
Flair For Home says
How cute!!!!!! I love this!!!!! Thank you for this great post!!!!!!
Audra says
Love this idea. Such a great visual reminder of what this holiday is all about!
Kelli says
This is so adorable! I’d love for you to come link up in my Thanksgiving Crafts & Recipes Link up! It just went live! Thank you!
Kelli
http://3boysandadog.com/deals/2011/thanksgiving-craft-and-recipe-link-up/
Tonia @ TheGunnySack.com says
This is super cute! We need to spend more time thinking about what we are thankful for! Thanks for your continued support of What’s In The Gunny Sack.
Marie says
Love this idea for kids!
Marie
mylilpinkpocket.blogspot.com
Coleen McCrea Katz says
Visiting from the Hungry Hypo link party. Great idea!
~Joy-N-Jesus~ says
that is awesome! Love it!
Carrie says
What a fantastic way to teach gratitude to your little ones. Thanks for linking up to Refresh Your Nest Friday!
Good Girl Gone Green says
Great idea! 🙂
Quilted Cupcake says
What a great idea! I’m a big fan of Thanksgiving – already can’t wait for it to be here!
Please consider adding your post (and any others you like) to my weekly Thrifty Thursdays blog party. Here’s the link: http://quiltedcupcake.blogspot.com/2011/11/thrifty-thursdays-5.html
Tricia says
I need to make one of these for our family! Thanks for sharing!
http://makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com
G Inspires says
I agree that Thanksgiving is often overlooked…we purposely wait until the day after Thanksgiving to decorate. I love your tree! I’ve seen quite a few in blogland and yours is one of my favorites! Although my son is only 19 months so has no idea…next year we are going to be doing a Thanksgiving Tree! Visiting from Clean & Scentsible Linky Party!
A Lived in Home says
So stinkin’ cute for the little ones!!
Polka Dot Elephant Boutique says
This is such a great project and you gave me inspiration for something to do with the kiddos today. Thanks for linking up!
Alicia @ Polka Dot Elephant
http://blog.polkadotelephant.com
Robyn Rasmussen says
I love it! I can’t wait to have my boys try this out. 🙂
-Robyn from http://tipsfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Judy says
That is such a great idea. I could see it being a big hit at my Thanksgiving celebration this year. Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.
Pickle Lily says
What a lovely idea – we don’t have Thanksgiving in the UK but I can use this with my class as part of our religious education. Thank-you for sharing.
Jo x
Heather Is... says
Great idea! I’m debating if it’s worth trying out this year or not, since I have a feeling my 1-year old will rip it down once I get it set up all pretty. 🙁
I found your blog through Trendy Treehouse.
Rona says
So creative!! Thank you
Jennifer says
This is perfect! I am pinning it for sure 🙂
Lisa @ Henderson Rubin Creative Design Studio says
Love this idea.
Unknown says
This is so fun. I would love for you to come over on Thursday and link up to The CSI Project.
http://www.thecsiproject.com
The challenge is Thanksgiving and you just might win the top prize or giveaway.
Come on by and see us anytime. Great tutorials going up everyday this week.
Miranda @ Life in the Motherhood says
What a fun idea and a great tradition to start! I’d love if you’d come join our Harvest Link Party going on through Thanksgiving. Any and all Thanksgiving and fall projects are welcome.
http://lifeinthemotherhood.blogspot.com/2011/11/harvest-party-link-up.html
Thanks!
Marilyn says
SOOOO creative. what a great idea..Would love for you to stop in sometime and share this via my thanksgiving craft party pweease.. TY http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/three-weeks-of-thanksthankful-for.html
Toqua's Crafts says
WONDERFUL!!
I saw your post on Mady by you Monday @ Skip to my Lou
South Bay Studio says
We all certainly have much to be thankful for. Good reminder and a great idea for a children’s
fun project in class, a smaller version of course. Thanks for sharing… Kathi
Kaysi says
so cute!! I need to make something like this!
Jackie says
This is wonderful idea. It is a great way to get kids to start thinking about what they are thankful for. I will have to try this idea with my family. Thanks for sharing.
At The Picket Fence says
I love it and really want to do something like this with our kiddos this year too! Thanks so much for sharing this creative idea with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa
Katie says
This is too cute. I think I want to do this with my Almost three year old!! I’m you newest follower from the TGIF linky Party! Stop by my blog when you get a chance!
Amy says
Featured this today on One Artsy Mama! Stop by and grab a button if you like!
oneartmama.blogspot.com
Danielle says
We do a thankful tree as well. I think it is always fun for the whole family
I’d love for you to link up to my linky party
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com
Janet says
What a wonderful idea! I love that the tree is small enough that it can be reached.
SusieQTpies says
I love this tree and how it is at eye level with your little guy.
I’d love for you to come link up this post in my Holiday Tips, Crafts & Recipes link up! Here it is: http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/crock-pot-pizza-soup.html
Thanks! Susie
Anonymous says
Super cute – new favorite of the week =-) Hopping over from TGIF Linky Party.
MEg
Beth (www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com) says
I just followed you back =-)
Our Side of the Mountain says
What a sweet tree! Stopping by from TGIF!
Beth (www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com) says
This is so cute! Life is busy & it is always a great reminder for us to take the time to be thankful! I would love for you to link up at my TGIF Linky Party http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties
Beth =-)
Amy says
What a fabulous idea! I agree with you, poor Thanksgiving just gets overlooked but it’s so important to stop and be grateful for all that we have! Would you share this at my holiday party?
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-home-for-holidays-party.html
Kristie says
Very nice! I like the idea of making a leaf ANY time someone feels thankful!
Michelle says
Love this! So cute!
Kristy says
We love to do this! Last year we used apple shaped post it notes instead of leaves for an easy and different option. Thanks for reminding me to pull mine out! Saw your link at Ladybird Ln.
Charley says
I am also planning this for my preK kids. I really like it for home, too. I’m going to get to work today!
Karen Greenberg says
I am going to do this in my classroom! With 70 students I bet we will have a very full and beautiful tree.