How To Make a One-Of-A-Kind Gratitude Tree For Your Thanksgiving Table
A Thanksgiving project the whole family can take part in creating
By Macaroni KID
November 13, 2023
Image Credit: Essy Chen
Looking for a standout Thanksgiving table centerpiece? Creating a family gratitude tree is not only a wonderful way to foster gratitude and involve everyone, including the kids, in the holiday spirit, but it's also super easy to do, and it looks beautiful too!
Here's how you can create a simple and kid-friendly gratitude tree made with supplies you probably already have around your house.
One or more sturdy small branches with several smaller twigs or branches (for hanging gratitude leaves.)
A vase or container
Sand, rocks or decorative stone (Something to keep your branch in place in the container)
Construction paper in fall-themed colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown
Scissors
Markers or pens
String or ribbon
Paper hole punch
Optional: Paint
Directions:
Prepare branches by trimming to the desired size and shape, making sure to keep extra branches on to hang your gratitude leaves. Optional: Let your kids decorate or paint the branch to make it more festive!
Place the branch in the vase or container, using sand, rocks, or decorative stones to hold it in place.
Create your gratitude leaves. Start by cutting out leaf shapes from the construction paper -- a good project for kids! Use a paper hole punch for ribbon or string. Tie a small loop of ribbon or string to the leaf so that it can be hung on the tree once complete. Place the leaves in a bowl on the table next to your "tree."
Encourage kids and other family members to write down things they are thankful for on the leaves and then hang their gratitude leaves on the "tree."
You can place your family gratitude tree anywhere of course -- we love the idea of using it as a centerpiece for Thanksgiving table to create opportunities during the meal to help spur meaningful conversations about gratitude.
๐Happy Thanksgiving!๐
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Amy Johnson
Amy Johnson has been a Macaroni KID Editor and Publisher for almost 13 years and is loving every minute of it!