Hohoho The Thankful Tree

One of my favorite quotes is from John Adams, who wrote,

"I long for the rural as well as domestic scene, for the warbling of birds as well as the prattling of my children."

Much is revealed amongst this tender sentiment. It's clear that what he holds honey as well as appreciates

most inwards his life are the uncomplicated things. He's non longing for wealth, fame, or fabric goods, but

the uncomplicated pleasures of home, nature, as well as family. I love this quote because it is rich with

appreciation.

What do you lot appreciate? What are you lot thankful for? Thanksgiving is the traditional fourth dimension of

year when folks limited gratitude for the blessings inwards their lives. Families as well as friends get together to

share a feast, as well as many families volition partake inwards the tradition of taking turns expressing what

they are grateful for. Young as well as old, the whole household unit of measurement participates. This exercise teaches and

encourages gratitude, as well as every bit good helps to do as well as strengthen household unit of measurement bonds as well as traditions.

The exercise of outwardly expressing thankfulness is a direct a chance to recognize as well as portion the

things inwards our lives that nosotros sometimes own got for granted every day. It's a fourth dimension to reverberate on what

we have. For instance, I am around thankful for my children, my health, my friends as well as family,

and my abilities. I am thankful for freedom, as well as for the laughter of my children. I am thankful

that you lot are reading this correct now.

The Thankful Tree

A Thankful Tree is the perfect agency to encourage thankfulness!

This projection consists of a table-top sized natural tree branch "tree" that you lot tin easily create.

Family members write what they are thankful for onto newspaper "leaves", as well as hang them on the
tree. This projection is a valuable agency to instruct children (and adults!) to recollect to express
gratitude. Display your finished Thankful Tree inwards your dwelling trouble solid every bit a vacation centerpiece, and
remember, the tree isn't entirely for families. Be certain to offering each invitee who enters your home
the chance to add together a foliage to the tree.

Materials

tree branch

vase, jar, or other container of suitable size to concur as well as back upward your tree

string

paper

scissors

optional: stones, sand, or acorns to weight the vase as well as back upward the tree

Instructions

1. Place tree branch into vase. If back upward is needed, add together stones, acorns, or sand to the vase to help
weight the vase as well as back upward the tree. If you're using to a greater extent than than 1 branch for your tree,
consider tying the branches together nigh the bottoms amongst twine.

2. Cut a multifariousness of 1-2" leaves from paper. Plain newspaper is fine. Or, you lot tin every bit good role colored
construction newspaper or fancy scrapbook paper. I merely cutting them freehand, using a
simple oval shape. I every bit good cutting my leaves is varying sizes as well as widths. I figured, though we
are a family, nosotros are even thus all unique, as well as I reflected that amongst the varying sizes and
shapes of my leaves.

3. Make a pocket-sized slit at the destination of each foliage as well as thread a 3-4" length of string onto each leaf.

4. Have household unit of measurement members write something that they are thankful for onto a foliage as well as hang it on the tree.

The Thankful Tree is non exactly for Thanksgiving! Giving your tree a permanent place
in your dwelling trouble solid tin assistance remind your household unit of measurement that thankfulness should hold out felt and
expressed year-round.

Here are a few ideas for Thankful Tree variations:

Thanksgiving - Use spill colored papers for the leaves.

Christmas or Winter - Use vacation colored newspaper for the leaves. For a wintry tree, paint
the branches amongst white spray paint.

New Year - Paint the branch amongst silvery spray pigment for a festive look. Decorate leaves
on 1 side amongst mucilage as well as silvery glitter.

Birthdays - Coordinate the tree as well as or leaves to the birthday subject colors. Because
birthdays are a fourth dimension to celebrate as well as individual, own got guests write why they are
thankful for the birthday daughter or man child onto the leaves.