Fun & Simple Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get together with family, enjoy a wonderful meal, and reflect on the things we are thankful for. Yet, as much we hate to admit it, sometimes the meal (both preparation and partaking of), can overshadow the sentiment of the day. So. . . to help keep the main thing the main thing this holiday here are a couple ideas for starting new traditions and celebrating!

Thanksgiving Tree
Items Needed: flower pot, tree branch, leaf templates printed on cardstock, yarn/string/paperclips (or some other means of hanging the leaves), pens, and markers.

Last year we did our first "Thanksgiving Tree"! We took a bare branch and placed it in a large flower pot of soil in the center of the room. Each person colored and/or decorated their own leaf (leaf template printed on white cardstock) then wrote down some things they were thankful for on the other side. Once everyone was done, we came together in the family room around the tree. Starting with the youngest, each person stood up by the tree, shared aloud what they were thankful for, and then placed their leaf on the tree. It was a really special time. (We used a large branch, pot and leaves, but you can use smaller items if you'd rather use it for a centerpiece on the table)

Lastly, as each person left to go home, they were asked to take a leaf (other than their own) home with them and use it as a reminder to pray for that particular person from Thanksgiving Day until Christmas.



This year, a friend (my hairstylist) came over to do some crafts with the children and introduced us to a new idea that we're going to keep for tradition and I'd like to share that with you as well!

Thanksgiving Table Cloth
Items Needed: white vinyl lace table cloth, black plastic tablecloth, permanent markers of assorted colors (we used Sharpies)

(table cloths came from the Dollar Store :)

We took a vinyl lace table cloth laid it over a cheap black plastic table cloth (to protect the table from the marker ink) and then we colored in parts of the lace pattern and wrote down things we were thankful for right on the cloth. Not only is it a unique, special creation, it's a great tablecloth for that Thanksgiving Dinner!




So there you have it - two great ways to have fun as a family while emphasizing the spirit of the holiday and the many things we all have to be thankful for!

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!