Take 5 – Thankful Tree Tradition
Every year for as long as I can remember we have displayed a Thankful Tree. It’s a Thanksgiving tradition that helps us remember our blessings. It’s very simple to make. Gather some branches from your yard and place in a can or vase and cut out paper leaves and attach a paper clip. Every day each person takes a leaf and writes what he or she is thankful for and places it on the tree. When you have guests over ask them to add a leaf, too. One year I found a lit “branch” tree. It provides a little bling to our tree.
For other ideas on teaching your children or grandchildren about gratitude see Things to do that foster gratitude.
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Find some limbs in your yard
It will take 5 minutes to wander through your backyard looking for twigs. We’ve had a long hot and wet fall so the leaves are just beginning to turn. Usually, by November 1 I just grab some fallen limbs but not this year. Be sure to leave the little branches on so you have lots of room to hang the paper leaves.
Add limbs to a jar or can
It will take 5 minutes to add the twigs to a container of rocks. The vase I have is very heavy so I just stuck a foamy block inside to hold the branches. If your container is lightweight you might need to weight it with small rocks.
Cut leaf shapes from colored paper
It will take 5 minutes to cut out some leaves. Use your cricket or silhouette or cut them by hand. I like paper that is colored on both sides although you can also use scrapbooking paper. I really like to use gold Christmas ornament hooks but this year it’s colorful paperclips. You can buy paper leaves or garlands of silk leaves at Dollar Tree. Shop online for Silk Autumn Leaves or order a couple packages of Colorful Maple Leaves.
Ok. Maybe this takes a little more than 5 minutes. But, you will enjoy this tree for the next 4 weeks. On Thanksgiving night you can pull the leaves from the tree and read all the things you are grateful for.
