How to Make a Gratitude Tree -Free Printable Included

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The holiday season (especially Thanksgiving!) is the perfect time to slow down and reflect on all the positive things in your life! Creating a gratitude tree is a beautiful way to help your whole family express gratitude and focus on what really matters. Whether you’re doing it for the first time or it’s already a family tradition, this fun activity is a great opportunity to connect and share all the reasons you feel grateful, with your family and friends. 

In this post, I’ll show you how to make a gratitude tree in a few easy steps, using my free printable leaves and tree (linked below!). Putting together your gratitude tree and decorating it with all the things you feel grateful for is a great way to spend some quality time together!  It also makes a wonderful Thanksgiving craft for kids and adults alike.

What Is a Gratitude Tree?

A gratitude tree, sometimes called a tree of thanks, thankful tree, or Thanksgiving tree, is a simple yet beautiful way to express gratitude visually. To decorate your tree, each person writes something they’re thankful for on a leaf shape, then attaches it to the tree. By Thanksgiving Day, you’ll have a full display of colorful leaves representing all the blessings in your home and life.

It’s the perfect way to remind everyone, especially young children, of all the positive things in their lives. As an added bonus, it makes a great Thanksgiving decoration!

Two Ways to Make a Gratitude Tree

I’m going to show you two different ways to make a gratitude tree, both simple and fun! One is an easy free printable that you and your family will enjoy displaying on the wall. The other is a very easy “tree” that makes a beautiful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table!

Free Printable Gratitude Tree

This craft couldn’t be simpler! There are a variety of ways you can utilize this printable. You might want to have your kids write down something they feel grateful for every day for the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Or you might decide to have the whole family gather around on Thanksgiving and each writing something you’re grateful for and then add it to the Gratitude Tree. Or you can use both ideas combined!

• Print out my free Gratitude Tree printable
• Cut out the leaves (I’ve included two different types to add variety!)
•  Have friends and family write down what they’re thankful for on the leaves
•  Attach the leaves to the tree. 

Gratitude Tree Centerpiece

Supplies You’ll Need to Make Your Own Gratitude Tree Centerpiece

You can easily make your own gratitude tree with just a few supplies, most of which you probably already have at home!

Supplies:

• My free printable leaves (or cut your own paper leaves from construction paper)
• Small branches and twigs from outside
• A vase or jar to hold your “tree”
• String or twine for attaching the leaves
• A hole punch
• Pens or markers

How to Make a Gratitude Tree in Simple Steps

Here’s how to make your own gratitude tree in just a few easy steps:

1. Print and cut out the printable leaves, or trace leaf shapes onto construction paper. Punch a hole in one side of the leaf.
2. Create your tree base. Arrange a few branches in a vase or jar.
3. Add your leaves. Each family member writes one or more positive things they’re thankful for on a leaf.
4. Display and decorate. Use string or twine to attach the leaves to the tree.
5. Reflect together. As the entire family adds their leaves, take a few minutes each day to read them aloud or share stories at Thanksgiving dinner.

This gratitude tree activity is not only a great idea for little kids, it’s also a fun activity adults will love. It’s a great way to focus on what’s going right during this busy time of year.

More Thanksgiving Fun

• Fun Thanksgiving Danger Word Game
• Awesome Thanksgiving Games For Families
• Thanksgiving Scattergories – Free Printable
• Thanksgiving Charades or Pictionary
• Thanksgiving Photo Scavenger Hunt

Why a Gratitude Tree Is the Best Part of Thanksgiving

The best part about making a gratitude tree is watching it fill up with blessings. Every leaf is something or someone a loved one is grateful for! How cool is that?!

If you’re looking to start a new tradition, this project is a great way to bring gratitude into your Thanksgiving celebrations. It also makes a lovely decoration for your Thanksgiving table, reminding everyone to pause and give thanks before digging into the turkey and pie.

Download Your Gratitude Tree Here

Make Your Own Gratitude Tree or Thankful Tree Today!

If you’ve been wanting a fun activity that helps your entire family slow down and connect, this is it! Grab the free printable gratitude tree and leaves, follow these simple steps, and create your own gratitude tree this holiday season. It’s a beautiful way to make memories, nurture gratitude, and start a new family tradition that will last for years to come.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!