The Thankful Tree with Lauren Henderson for #LoveYourLifeFriday

Today, Lauren Henderson is showing us how to make this thankful tree that is sure to start conversations about all we have to be thankful for.

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In our house we are trying to raise grateful and thankful kids. Kids whose hearts are full of gratitude for all their Heavenly Father has given them. This year we made a thankful tree to get ready for our Thanksgiving season.

We will add leaves to it as we think and talk about all the people and things in our lives that we are oh so thankful for, and have guests add leaves as well! I think this will be a great way to focus our hearts and minds on the daily bread we receive from our Father.

#1: Supplies

For your thankful tree you will need:

• some sticks (ones with multiple branches add more interest than just straight sticks)
• craft paper/colored paper/any paper
• a one-hole punch
• some string
• a vase or large mason jar
• scissors (all I could find were kid scissors, work with what you got) :)

#2: Tracing

After you have gathered all your supplies, you will want to make leaves to trace…unless you are artistic and can free hand it…unlike myself :)

#3: Hole Punch

Then you simply hole punch all of your leaves and tie some string on.

#4: Place Setting

You could use your thankful tree as a Thanksgiving table centerpiece and ask your guests to add their own leaf to it. What a great way to start the conversation about all we have to be thankful for. My children are young, and have a hard time thinking beyond what toy they are thankful for. I think hearing other adults and older children speak about what they wrote on their leaves may be a great way to grow their hearts beyond these answers.

My children and I had a great time collecting these (free!) supplies, choosing pretty papers from our supply, and talking about what we were making.  I hope you do as well!

My desire is to teach my children (and learn myself) to give thanks always.  No matter the situation.  Because God works in it all! “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

 

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Lauren Henderson is from Rockford, MI where she and her husband of 9 years are raising their 4 children. In between managing and home schooling their four-ring circus, she enjoys home design and crafting. Her hobbies include creating renovation designs (for houses she will never buy) and reading aloud wonderful children’s literature to her crew. The days are long and the years are short, so she is trying her best to soak it in!