Create a meaningful Thanksgiving tradition at home with a Gratitude Tree! This simple, hands-on activity helps everyone pause, reflect, and share who and what they’re thankful for before gathering together for the holiday meal. It’s a beautiful way to bring warmth, connection, and intention into your home.

What You Need

Printed Thanksgiving Tree (or draw your own)
Printed leaf cutouts (one per family member, or as many as needed)
Scissors
Pens, markers, or crayons
Tape, glue dots, or sticky tack

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Tree

Place your Thanksgiving Tree on a wall, door, or poster board where everyone can see it. Choose a space where family members naturally gather — the living room, entryway, or near the dinner table.

2. Cut Out the Leaves

Give each family member one or more leaf cutouts. Younger kids may need help cutting; older kids can decorate or color their leaf if they’d like.

3. Think About Gratitude

Take a moment to pause and reflect. On each leaf, write down:

Someone you are thankful for
Something you are thankful for
A moment or memory you appreciated this year

Encourage everyone to think beyond material items. Gratitude can be family, friends, teachers, experiences, lessons learned, pets, or small everyday joys.

4. Add Your Leaves to the Tree

One by one, place your leaves on the branches. As each person adds theirs, they can share aloud what they wrote — or they can keep it private if they prefer. Either way, the tree begins to “grow” with gratitude.

5. Reflect Together

Stand back as a family and look at your completed Gratitude Tree. Notice the names, moments, and blessings that fill the branches. Take a moment to appreciate how much love and joy surrounds your home.

6. Leave It Up Through Thanksgiving

Keep your Gratitude Tree displayed throughout the holiday season as a reminder of the people and moments that matter most.

Optional Ways to Personalize the Activity

Daily Gratitude Leaves: Add a new leaf each day leading up to Thanksgiving.
Family Gratitude Circle: Before Thanksgiving dinner, go around and read a leaf from the tree.
Decorative Touches: Add twinkle lights, hand-drawn acorns, or family photos around the tree.
Memory Leaves: Write down special moments from the year and save the tree for next year’s reflection.

Why This Activity Matters

Creating a Gratitude Tree helps families:

Practice thankfulness together
Slow down and connect
Build emotional awareness
Celebrate meaningful relationships
Create a holiday tradition that grows every year