Every year we have a Thanksgiving activity that has become a tradition. It’s really not just for the kids, either, although they really enjoy it. It’s for everyone, and in my opinion, it’s the sweetest part of the meal.
As people arrive for our Thanksgiving celebration, they are invited to write down what they are thankful for most. We write down these thoughts on “leaves” and attach them to our Thanksgiving tree in the center of the table. It’s our tradition to read the messages of thanks on the leaves after the meal. It’s so much fun to sit around the table sharing our thanks with one another and acknowledging the grace and provision of the Lord over the past year. It’s not too late to begin this tradition in your own family. In fact, you’ve probably got everything you need right at your fingertips! Here’s how you can make your own Thanksgiving Tree:
1. Grab a few branches from your yard. Try to find something that is already on the ground.
2. For leaves, you have these options:
- Use a Free Printable, like the one Ann Voskamp offers on her site HERE or this simple one of blank leaves from Robin Sampson HERE.
- Print the leaf printables on construction paper, like red, orange, brown, green and/or yellow.
- You can also make your own leaves by creating leaf impressions.
Here is how: Collect leaves from outside. Working on a flat table surface, cover a leaf with a piece of white computer paper. With your favorite colored crayons, remove the paper wrapping from the crayon and using the side of it, color the paper that is over the leaf. You will begin to see the impression of the leaf, with all its veins, reproduced on the paper. Cut out the colored leaves and use the back for writing down your personal thanksgivings.
3. Hang the leaves on the branches by punching a hole and attaching them with ribbon or paper clips.
4. Go around the table and have everyone read someone’s message of thanks.
Do you have a Thanksgiving tradition of voicing your gratitude? What does your family do?
