A thankful tree turns the week before Thanksgiving into a family tradition. Set up a vase of branches, cut a pile of paper leaves, and everyone adds a leaf each day saying what they're thankful for. By Thanksgiving dinner, it's a centerpiece full of memories, and the leaves can go straight into a scrapbook.
Step by step
- Arrange the branches in the vase and fill around them with pebbles or dried beans so they stand firmly.
- Trace and cut leaves from the cardstock, around 3 inches long. Make a big stack so there are plenty for guests.
- Punch a hole at the top of each leaf and thread a short loop of twine.
- Set the tree up with the leaves and markers somewhere central, like the kitchen counter.
- Each day, everyone writes one thing they're thankful for and hangs it on the tree.
- On Thanksgiving, take turns reading the leaves at the table, then save them in a memory album.
For younger kids, pre-cut the leaves and let them decorate with crayons or stickers; a grown-up can write their words.