Here's a craft we used a year ago, but I think it's such a great idea that it bears repeating! Many thanks to subscriber Stefanie Block Politi for this wonderful idea, which she does every year with her family.
With so much going on during these holiday months, it is very easy to get caught up in all we have to do, and forget about all the wonderful things we have. One way to stop everyday and think about all those good things is to make a Thankful Tree. Stefanie builds hers in the kitchen every year - the trunk goes up the wall, and the branches attach to a corkboard. Every night, she and her husband and boys write down on a construction paper "leaf" what they are thankful for, and attach it to a branch. Not only does it let you take a moment to be grateful for your blessings, but it also helps promote awareness of the less fortunate, and in Stefanie's house, leads to a discussion about what kind of donation the family will make to the less fortunate. What a wonderful way to help our children be thankful and to learn to think about others as well.
Our Thankful Tree goes up behind our kitchen table, standing over us when we eat dinner every night. Last year my boys and their cousins spent an evening putting together all their thankful leaves. This year, we're going to try to put up leaves every nigh. Even though they are young, hopefully my boys will realize by the time Thanksgiving comes what a full "Tree" we have.
