"A thankful heart is a happy heart....."- Junior Asparagus

It happens all the time....it is just exceptionally easy to send up thanks when you are surrounded by colorful leaves...
And of course, like every other year, I feel exceptionally grateful for what I have. It doesn't seem to matter if hard things have happened that year....if I began to put things on a scale of good and bad, the good would win by a landslide- always does....


This year we decided to make a Thanksgiving Tree. I am always determined to minimize the Christmas hubub until we have spent some time being truly thankful...but this is the first year I have ever done one.  The kids are so excited about it, so I thought I could give you a little tutorial;) I know, you didn't ask for one.....  

The Beginning

I took some limbs from the back yard, big enough to stand straight, but small enough to have some twigs, branches and leaves on them and arranged them in a container. In this case, I used an old paint can that I filled with rocks and some water to make it heavy.


Then, I printed some "I am thankful" tags off the internet. A sheet for all members of the family to fill out.  In hindsight, I wish I had had some colored cardstock, but I just let each kid color the paper lightly.  They filled out things like, "Mommy, Daddy, I pod, Car, House, Health."  I wanted them to be able to put both essential needs and extra luxuries God had given them.

Loosely tied ribbon and the chain

We then made the chain with scissors and a stapler and hung it on the tree. I assembled some left over ribbon in fall colors and tied them loosely on the tree. I tend to be free with my ribbon tying, you may want a more traditional bow or smaller length.  Personally, I like the flowing ribbon....but I am weird like that.

Printable Tags

 Then, the kids and I, along with Will's list inspired a photo and clip art search. You can use all clip art, or all digital photos, which ever works easier for you.  We have a zillion wonderful cousins, so instead of each individual, I printed a clip art pic that said "BEST COUSINS"....but our Grandparents.....they were too special..They got their own photo.  I resized them into a document and printed them. I did it on paper and then glued them to index cards so they would hold up- again, wish I had had some card stock...would have been easier.   

example of picture "ornament"

I punched a hole in each pic and threaded it through the
top of the hole from the front. It seemed to lay better that way. Of course, there are tons of ways to attach them to the tree. 

Threaded ribbon 

Picture Ornaments Hung

After finishing the tree, I sent each kid and myself on a hunt to find things to add as ornaments or put under the tree that they were thankful for.  (Notice the action figures)...

An ornament from my Mama

Just a few items from the kids: a playbill from Jaden's play, an engagement announcement from Eason's wallet, a pic of the cousins, a Wolverine action figure........

Hobby Lobby had these on clearance, and so I hung a few on the tree for effect.....:)

The Finished Product: