So often, one of our most important holidays is overlooked as decorations, commercials and billboards for Christmas go up earlier and earlier--before Halloween, even! I want my children to look forward to Thanksgiving as much as they do any other sugar-induced celebration, if not more. Thanksgiving seems to be the least commercially tainted of all the holidays--maybe that's why I like it so much. As I was thinking about what I could do to make this holiday stand out (in a
good way), I perused a few different sites on the web, and wouldn't you know,
Tara had blogged just this morning about her Gratitude Tree. Tara got the idea from a friend, who got the idea from another friend...I just love how good ideas go 'round and 'round! I was so excited to find something other than paper chains to record tidbits of gratitude on that I immediately took down all the Halloween decor and set out to making my tree. Here's what 6 brown paper bags and a little painter's tape got me:
I found a bunch of fall-colored scrapbook paper that I no longer use thanks to my blog. (Yay for technology!) So I cut out a bunch of leaves from them and left them in the box at the base of the tree along with tape and a pen. The hope is that the girls (and Mike and I) will be inspired throughout the month to stop and think about what they are grateful for, and make our Gratitude Tree grow.
I'm so excited for Family Home Evening tonight! I love the idea of being immersed in gratitude. Hopefully that same feeling will carry on into the next holiday, as Christmas certainly tends to turn us toward what "I" will be getting. I'll post about this again after Thanksgiving so we can check our gratitude growth.
I found a bunch of fall-colored scrapbook paper that I no longer use thanks to my blog. (Yay for technology!) So I cut out a bunch of leaves from them and left them in the box at the base of the tree along with tape and a pen. The hope is that the girls (and Mike and I) will be inspired throughout the month to stop and think about what they are grateful for, and make our Gratitude Tree grow. 
I'm so excited for Family Home Evening tonight! I love the idea of being immersed in gratitude. Hopefully that same feeling will carry on into the next holiday, as Christmas certainly tends to turn us toward what "I" will be getting. I'll post about this again after Thanksgiving so we can check our gratitude growth.
6 comments:
Love it. :)
I love it! we think alike... I don't allow Christmas decorations to go up until at least the day after Thanksgiving. I think every holiday deserves it's due, so to speak!
Just stumbled here from Bloom and wanted to say, Wow! I love this idea - can't wait to read the rest of your site {I just love finding new-to-me sites}
Stacy--welcome! I can't say that most of my projects have sprouted from my own muddled mind, but I do love taking an idea and running with it! Even since last night, the girls can't get enough of writing on leaves, so we already have a nearly full tree! I have to make a trip to Michael's and get some more fall scrapbook paper or we'll be out of leaves by Thursday.
As a side note, I hopped on your site and fell in love with your owl costume! My 5 yo happens to be obsessed with them right now--oh how I wish I'd found your site before Halloween! There's always next year...
Great idea Amanda! You'll have to invite us over for another game so I can see it first hand ;) (hint hint)
Love, love, love it!! What a great idea. As much as I love Christmas, I miss the hooplah that surrounded T-day when I was a kid. I went to the store today and Joann's had their Thanksgiving stuff on CLEARANCE already! It's not even here yet folks!!
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