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I can hardly believe it’s Thanksgiving Time!
As we strip our walls of the handmade Halloween art, our children made just weeks ago, and try our best to pull off every last bit of the synthetic webbing from shrubs in our front yards. I can’t help but feel sad for the Halloween decor. If we are early to display “Halloween”, then it has a life of at least 3 or so weeks outside of its plastic tub. If not, then it’s back into the garage after only a few days. Poor décor.
Is there anything we can do?
Why yes, yes there is, and it involves a collaboration with Heather who has a sweet idea which captures “Thanksgiving” in such a memorable way. If you remember my “Last Minute Halloween Centerpiece” post, we created an easy and organic centerpiece. Now, with only a few modifications we can extend the mantle life of this décor! We can transform the centerpiece into our very own “Tree of Thanks!”
This time it’s all about Thanksgiving!
Gather:
- Decorative double sided or solid paper (for leaves and acorns – you may use the template provided or create your own)
- Yellow, green or rust colored yarn, pipe cleaners or embroidery floss
- Miniature clothes pins (from any craft store)
- White lights (optional)
- Mason Jar (optional)
- Corn Kernels (optional)
- Scissors
Time to Assemble:
First, I’m sure you noticed all the “optional” notes above. Let’s start with the mason jar and corn kernels. Now you already have a vase and sand or beans, something of the sort holding the branches upright. You can keep this as is, or replace it with a mason jar and fill it with yellow corn kernels. This makes it a bit more festive. The mason jar doubles as a keepsake for all of the notes of thankfulness. Be sure to keep your lid! Let’s take a look at what items we can remove from the branches of our Halloween piece, and those we may be able to keep. Synthetic spider web…gone. Creepy critters…gone. Let’s keep the yarn and or pipe cleaners, be it black or orange. Thankfully this is falls into our Thanksgiving color scheme!
Now it’s time for all those special things you and your family are thankful for.
Using the templates trace and cut out the acorn and or leaf shapes.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE
Begin to write what you are thankful for on these.
You can even leave a few blank for visiting guests or pre-cut them for Thanksgiving Day. Put these aside.
Here we can add more fall colors, wrapping them around a few of those branches which are in need of a pop of color. Now for your white lights.
I usually just pull them from my Christmas supply. Free!!!
Now, using mini clothes pins, clip your leaves and or acorns, to a branch. Continue until your tree is “full of thanks”. You can keep this for next year and add to it or place your notes of thanks, in the mason jar for safe keeping.
How beautiful! This is such a great idea for a craft and centrepiece.
This is a very cute & creative idea. It would be fun to do with the whole family.
We’re definitely doing a Thankful Tree this year. The idea of wrapping the yarn around the branches is a great idea.
What a beautiful idea. I want to make a tree like this now with my kids. Maybe early next week, since my child doesn’t have school at all. She’ll be out for Thanksgiving break. She’ll enjoy this craft project. Glad I found your blog post.
Tiffany, that’s a great idea, going into next week…love to see pics! Twitter: @CGmammaG :). Have fun!
This is such a cute idea! I’ll have to try it this Thanksgiving!
This is such a cute and creative idea. This would make a great centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table.
This tree of thanks is so beautiful. I love the touch of yarn for a rustic feel. I so want to make one now!
Thanks Chrystal! I’m sure adding your own touch will make it amazing!
We did a thankful tree last year! Ours wasn’t nearly as cute as yours!
What an awesome and very thoughtful centerpiece/craft idea! I would love to make one with my kids.
This is such a good idea. I need to do something like this with the boys.
I can’t believe it is almost Thanksgiving! I love simple crafts for the holidays!
Very cute and festive. I like what you’ve done and how we can all do something similar.
I really think this Thanksgiving tree is lovely!!! Thanks for the idea and it looks like something we can put together! I love easy and thoughtful crafts.
What a great idea for a craft/centrepiece. Kids would love to make this.
What a cute way to show how thankful you are. I did a bulletin board like this at the school I worked at.
What a cute concept, I love how warm the decoration is too. We already had Thanksgiving but, bookmarking this!