New Thanksgiving Tradition: Create a Thankful Tree

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.

Multicolored Paper Leaves Hang on Spindly Branches in White Vase

DIY Thanksgiving Thankfulness Tree

This thankfulness tree was created by arranging thin branches in a vase and cutting leaves from colorful construction paper - either use a stencil or trace actual leaves. Upon arrival for Thanksgiving dinner, invite guests to jot down what they're thankful for and hang on the tree.

By: Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason

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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.

Using a hole punch, make a hole at the base of each leaf.

Colorful Paper Leaves for Thanksgiving Thankful Tree

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.

Preparing Paper Leaves for Thankful Tree

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.

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.

Twine for Paper Leaves

Cut baker's twine into three-inch strips.

Paper Leaves for Thankful Tree

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.

Customized Notecard Asking Guests to Write Thankful Message

Create an Instructional Postcard for Thankful 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.

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.

Invite Guests to Write a Thankful Message

When guests arrive, provide them with a leaf and a black gel pen to write what they are thankful for.

Supplies for Messages of Thanks

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.

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.

Paper Leaves With Thankful Notes

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.

Hang Messages on Thankful Tree

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.