A Thankful Tree is a great way to help children (and adults) focus on being grateful for what they have. While November is a great month to make this craft, it can be made throughout the year.

We decided to create a Thankful Tree and write something we are thankful for each day.   Now, a thankful tree is nothing new, and I am sure you have seen many different ones floating around on Pinterest, but this is our version, and I love the idea of what it brings to our family.

There is so much to be thankful for, and there is something about writing it down and looking at it every day that makes it that much more real. Not to mention the cuteness it brings to the room!

I love the idea of keeping our leaves from each year in a little box so we can look back at different years, remembering what we were thankful for at that time.  I encourage you to make your own Thankful Tree.

“It’s not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy.”

How to Make a Thankful Tree

First off, when making a thankful tree, anything can really work because it is your tree.  I thought about using real branches, but I loved the idea of using lighted branches (I already had them) to warm the tree up and light it at night!  Get creative with the stuff you have on hand.

Thankful Tree Supplies

• Lighted branches
• Blue Mason jars
• Pine cones
• Copper wire & wire cutters
• Scrapbook or colored paper
• Leaf punch or stencil
• Hole punch
• Jute string

Instructions

1. Place the pine cones in the Mason jar to be the base of the tree.

2. Wrap the copper wire around the Mason jar to add decoration.

3. Use a leaf punch or stencil to cut leaves from the paper. This paper had the cutest fall colors and designs and I desperately wanted it for my leaves! 🙂 Purchasing the leaf punch was for my sanity. It was a life saver and inexpensive.  It made the cutest little leaves!

Be sure to make a lot of leaves so each day you and your family can add to your thankful tree!

4. Punch holes in leaves for the jute string to go through to hang them.

Here’s to being thankful for all the wonderful blessings God has given us! I guess you could also call this a Blessings Tree!

This is a new tradition for our family and I hope this post will encourage you to add a new thankful tradition.  I would love to see your Thankful Tree!

This is why I wanted to use the lighted branches. Isn’t it pretty?!

By contributing writer Jordon. 

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• Teaching Children Gratitude
• Gratitude Journals for Kids
• How to Make a Fall Wreath
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