Make a gratitude tree...Start a new fall family tradition.

Again, as we enter the Thanksgiving season I'm on the hunt for an important new fall tradition for my family that helps them express gratitude for all the things they are thankful for. With so many excellent ideas out there like this gratitude garland from Full Circle fulfilling my goal will be a cinch.

I think this year I will experiment with this gratitude tree craft from Green Jello . I love that the project brings the outdoors in utilizing some of the best branches fall has to offer and how the construction paper leaves are accessible for family members when they're hit with inspiration. I can already envision my kids coming up with tons of things to be thankful for. The challenge will be trying to keep up with them before the tree is full with colorful fall gratitude leaves!

Green Jello:

I'm always trying to find ways to teach my kids how to be thankful for what we have, so for the month of November I created a gratitude tree. I purchased green florist's foam and stuck branches in it to make a tree, then cut a supply of leaves out of card stock. On a leaf we write things we are thankful for and hang them on the tree to be read on Thanksgiving. I didn't want to put pressure on the kids to think of something every day, but so far they are quite eager to fill the tree. I am also not suggesting what they should write, so we have a few leaves naming favorite toys and TV shows, but that is their world and I don't expect a three year old to say "the economic stimulus package."

Everything is within their reach and it's sweet when one of them walks up to me with a leaf and pencil, asking for help to write something down. This may become our new November tradition.

(via The Crafty Crow)