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.
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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!