Gratitude Tree

Last year, we started a new tradition in our house.  I was inspired by this post and made a Gratitude Tree.  

We started with a little trunk that I cut out of brown cardstock and throughout the month, added little leaves with things we were grateful for.  By the end of November our tree was completely full.  And I loved it so much that I decided to hang it in my closet so I can look at it everyday.  

This little box sat on my kitchen counter filled with blank leaves that anyone could write on and add to the tree.  Everyone who came into our house was invited to add something to the tree.  We even took it with us to Utah for Thanksgiving with Craig's family and they all added leaves to it.  

It was a wildly successful little project that the kids loved.  

Today, as I was taking down the last of the Halloween decorations, I realized that we are already 5 days into the month, and we need a Gratitude Tree.  But instead of the cardstock tree on poster board, I found this awesome idea...

via

Because guess what I have leftover from Halloween...

...yup!  Those tall black twigs!  It's too late in the year to put back the pink cherry blossoms that usually live in that vase, and too early for anything Christmas-y.  So I've decided to make it the official Gratitude Spot.   And I kinda love it!

I moved the little scary black twigs out of the corner and into a more prominent spot.

Then I cut a handful of leaves out of card stock and tied yarn to the ends and threw them into a bowl on the table with a handy Sharpie.  (Sharpies are NEVER out in my house, so when the kids saw this, they knew exactly what to do with it.)

I added the first leaf to the tree with the thing I am most grateful for everyday...

And gradually, as the kids came home from school or passed by the tree on their way upstairs, they decided to add a few things, too.

(Yup, that does say that McKay is thankful for geckos...)

I found this cute little chalkboard art at Hobby Lobby and added it to the wall to complete the space.  I'm so happy with the way it turned out and the tone it sets in our home for the month. We definitely have a lot to be grateful for and I'm glad we'll all have a place to outwardly express those things.  Happy November!