New Thanksgiving Tradition: Create a Thankful Tree

Courtesy of Jeanine Hays
Photography by Leon Belt, Beltway Graphics

Hi Friends,

Give thanks in a new way this holiday season. Invite friends and family to share what they are most thankful for by creating a thankful tree that can take center stage throughout the Thanksgiving holiday.

Materials Needed:

• package of 36 large, die-cut paper leaves
• black gel pens
• hole punch
• scissors
• spool of baker's twine
• 2 bunches of curly willow
• postcard paper
• picture frame
• package of crayons
• colored pencils
• tall, sturdy vase

Punch Leaves
Look for a colorful mix of paper die-cut leaves in fall hues of orange, red, yellow and brown. The more variety in color and shape, the better your tree will look. Using a hole punch, make a hole at the base of each leaf.



Cut Twine and Thread Through Leaves
Cut baker's twine into three-inch strips. Thread the cut twine through the hole in each leaf. Bring both ends of the twine together to create a loop and knot at the top of the loop. Tip: Purchase twine in a variety of colors, from gold to silver to black and white. The twine can add to the colorful mix on your thankful tree.



Create an Instructional Postcard
Using your computer, develop a customized postcard to introduce guests to the purpose of the tree. Choose white 4" x 6" postcard paper. Type a special note to your guests and ask them to write what they are thankful for. Print the notecard, and place it in your favorite 4" x 6" frame in front of the tree.



Invite Guests to Write a Message
When guests arrive, provide them with a leaf and a black gel pen to write what they are thankful for. Be sure to provide guests with extra leaves, pens, colored pencils and crayons so they can get creative when expressing their special messages of thanks.



Hang Leaves on Tree
Place bundles of curly willow in a sturdy, tall vase. Spread out the branches so there's plenty of room for leaves to be hung on the branches. As guests finish their messages, instruct them to tie them onto the tree so everyone can enjoy them. Tip: Curly willow branches have been dried, so no water is needed to keep them alive.



Read Your Notes of Thanks
After the meal, invite family and friends to enjoy the notes of thanks, reading through them and reflecting on what each person is thankful for. Allow guests to take their leaves home as a favor or date and keep them till next year. To keep the thankful tree going as a tradition, bring it out each year so everyone can add new leaves and remember how many blessings they have in their lives.

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your new Thankful Tree with family and good friends this year and many years to come...

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Live well,
Yvonne