Home » Everyone needs a Family Thankful Wreath!

Everyone needs a Family Thankful Wreath!

eEveryone needs a family thankful wreath! What a great way to come together to show love and appreciation for each other than to put it on paper and share it with the world.

Keep in mind – “family” doesn’t have to mean traditional siblings. Sisters from another mister totally count. So do brothers from another mother.

Co-workers, roommates, best friends, strangers, heck – even just YOU alone.

Family Thankful Wreath – why its important

We spend a lot of energy thinking about what we need, want, or don’t have, rather than making a checklist of the things we have in our favor.

I don’t care how scary our world is, how jaded we may feel at times, or how much our feelings can be hurt – there is always something to be thankful for. And we have to hang on to that and ride it all the way.

Oh my gosh, this is turning into a soapbox speech! I don’t mean for it to sound like that. My thankfulness comes from my dad, during his last year dealing with cancer. Despite blow after blow, he would always say “Well, at least I still have…”

Gulp.

I’m not gonna lie.

Thanksgiving Day breaks me down into a sobbing mess.

I really have to fight to keep my mood and hopes up. Ever since my dad passed in 2009, we haven’t had a full-on turkey feast gathering like we did for all those years before. If someone had told me all those Thursdays that it would all change to what it is now – wow.

I’m sure I would have done things so much differently. I would have been way more present. 

If you are interested, I kinda explained it here, and I’m still working through it. Yes, I’m excited to make the rounds and see everyone, it will be a bunch of micro turkey days instead of two giant ones.

And you know, that is pretty cool when you think about it. Maybe I’ll make one of these wreaths for each house that I stop at.

Maybe I’ll add the first note in honor of my dad, I think he would like that.

Here’s how you can make a family thankful wreath, thank you to Jeshua for making this tutorial for us!

thankful-wreath-13

 

SUPPLIES:

thankful-wreath-1

Foam wreath

Burlap or canvas ribbon

Glittered ribbon

Thumbtacks

Note paper

Assorted pens

DIRECTIONS:

Start by wrapping the wreath with the canvas ribbon. Use thumbtacks or pins to hold it in place. you need this opaque ribbon as a base, otherwise the white will show through when you add the glittered ribbon.

thankful-wreath4

Now wrap with the glittered ribbon. Same thing, affix with a tack.

thankful-wreath2

This will give it a lot of Thanksgiving magic!

thankful-wreath5

Cut up squares of decorative paper!

thankful-wreath7

For your gathering or event, hang your wreath and then on a table nearby, set out the tacks, pens and paper.

If you want, you can pre write “I’m thankful for” on the papers, so you wreath will have a nice, hand lettered touch.

thankful-wreath6

Or just let your guests do their own thang!

thankful-wreath9

At the end of the day, gather up all the papers and put them in a memory book or take photos of them.

thankful-wreath8 thankful-wreath10

I hope you liked this idea! and, I have more activities to consider!

Expressing gratitude is central to Thanksgiving, and interactive activities are fun. and meaningful. 

Non-cheesy gratitude idea for Thanksgiving

Gratitude Jar

Set up a jar with pens and paper slips next to it. Throughout the day, family members can write down what they’re thankful for and drop it into the jar. At dinner, the jar can be passed around, and people can read aloud the messages.

Happiness Stones

hand painted rock
Decorate rocks and exchange them.

Select small, smooth stones and provide paint or markers. Family members can decorate a stone and then exchange it with another family member or guest.

Thanksgiving Bingo

Create bingo cards filled with words associated with gratitude. As family members express their thanks throughout the day, others can mark off matching words on their cards.

Video Messages

Set up a “recording station” where family members can record short video messages sharing their gratitude. These can be compiled and watched together or saved for future viewings. 

Or just record people saying what they are thankful for and make a short video to share with everyone.

Gratitude Photo Booth

Create a small area with props and a backdrop. Family members can take photos holding signs or boards with written messages of thanks.

Storytime

Write prompts related to family memories and have people draw a paper from a jar. Share stories from the past year where someone felt particularly grateful. It can be a fun way to remember the year’s highlights and challenges overcome.

Thanksgiving Playlist

music playlist ideas

Encourage family members to choose songs that make them feel thankful. Compile these into a playlist to play during Thanksgiving dinner.

Gratitude Journal Station

blank journal

Set up a station with blank notebooks, pens, and stickers. Encourage guests to write down their feelings of gratitude. These can be taken home as a reminder to practice thankfulness throughout the year.

Which is your fave? I love all of them!

thankful-wreath12

RELATED: Party favors: Thankful Bubbles!

 

thankful-wreath12

Fantastic Beasts Review + DIYs

OMG! My trip to The White House!

Tags

Leave a Comment

Related Posts