Gratitude Tree

One of our biggest goals as parents is to teach our children gratitude.  Because our culture is focused on material things, we find this to be a battle.  One that we plan to fight. 

Out of this desire came our first gratitude tree.  On our water color (coffee filter) leaves, we brainstormed things we were thankful for.  Much to our delight, the littles listed all of their favorite people first.  Then came books, art, food, hot chocolate,"kid mail", etc. 

This tree was not just to be decoration.  For each blessing (leaf), we came up with an action...a response...to go with it. 

Our responses included things like:

~art being mailed because we are grateful for art and grandparents

~candy bars to Sunday school teachers because we are grateful for church

~canned food donated because we've been blessed with food

~treats to library workers because we are grateful for books

~"kid mail" sent to some of our favorite kids because we are grateful when we receive it

We are still working through our gratitude list, and feel certain that we have a new family Thanksgiving tradition.

 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  ~1 Thessalonians 5:18