Debbiedoos

Thrifty home decor, dollar tree crafts, stenciling, decorating blog.

  • Debbiedoos
  • DIY
  • Stenciling Projects
  • Dollar tree crafts
  • Mod Podge Project
  • Dollar tree Fall decor and craft ideas
You are here: Home / Stenciling Projects / Thanksgiving Thankful Tree

Thanksgiving Thankful Tree

By 35 Comments

While many people put up a tree around Christmas, you might not realize you can also put up a tree earlier and make a Thanksgiving Thankful tree.

Thanksgiving Thankful Tree

Thanksgiving Thankful trees can either be put up at the beginning of November, or they can bridge the gap between a Halloween and a Christmas Tree.

No matter when you decide to put yours up, you can decorate it, and use it as a reminder of how thankful you are for your life. 

What is a Thanksgiving Thankful Tree?

Thanksgiving thankful tree in family room

A Thanksgiving Thankful Tree is a tree that you put up in your home and decorate with reminders of how thankful you are. These trees can also be called gratitude trees, and they are ideal for any household. 

There are a couple of different ways to design a thankful tree, but most people choose to use a tree they already have on hand and make new ornaments. They then write all of the things they are thankful for in life on the ornaments. 

Thanksgiving Thankful Tree Ornament Ideas

  • Paper leaf ornaments in fall colors
  • Wood slices with chalk paint
  • Print items you are thankful for on paper then cut them into leaf shapes
  • Cutout paper handprints in fall colors
  • Faux leaves
  • Gift tags
  • Faux pumpkins

Beyond this list, there are many other items you can use for Thankful Tree Ornaments. Whatever you use just needs to have space for writing or a method of attaching something that you can write on. 

How to Use a Thanksgiving Thankful Tree

Step 1: Set Up Your Tree

Start by setting up your tree in a convenient location. The tree you set up can be your Christmas tree without ornaments, or any type of tree you would like. You can even make a paper tree and staple it to the wall. 

Step 2: Make Ornaments

Decide which ornaments you will make. Whether you decide to cut them out of paper, or buy them at the store, ensure you buy a bunch. Three to five per person in your family is suggested as a baseline. 

Step 3: Write on the Ornaments

Sit around as a family and allow each family member to write the things they are thankful for on their ornaments. 

In a work setting, you can set the ornaments next to the tree with instructions for your employees to write what they are thankful for on the ornaments. 

Step 4: Place the Leaves on the Tree

Once you have collected all the ornaments, affix them to the tree. 

Step 5: Repeat

Leave your Thanksgiving Thankful tree out for the entire month of November and replenish the leaves whenever they run low. In a family setting, you may choose to add leaves to the tree on a weekly basis. 

How to Decorate a Thanksgiving Thankful Tree

Something unique about Thanksgiving Thankful trees is the fact that they won’t be complete until the end of the month. Besides just the leaves, you will need to place additional decorations on your tree to make it aesthetically pleasing. 

Supplies Needed:

  • Ribbon (fall colors or pumpkins work well)
  • Faux pumpkins
  • Construction Paper in fall colors (or other items for making leaves)
  • Twine
  • Burlap
  • Faux (or real) pinecones
  • A string of white or orange lights
  • Hole punch
  • Sharpie

Step 1: Set Up the Tree

Place the tree in an area where you will be able to add leaves to it all month long and set it up completely. 

Step 2: Lights

String lights around your tree. Orange lights add a nice fall glow but can be hard to find, so resort to white lights if you can’t find any.

Step 3: Garland

Use the ribbon as garland and drape it around your tree. You can also use burlap, cutting long pieces to tie together to make a garland. 

Step 4: Tie Twine

Tie twine around various branches, allowing it to hang down. Save some for the ornaments. 

Step 5: Cut Leaves

Cut leaf shapes out of your construction paper. Use a hole punch to make a hole in one end and tie a twine loop through it. 

Step 6: Place Your Leaves

Place your leaves near, but not on the tree, with a sharpie so those in your family can add to the tree when they think of something they are thankful for. 

Step 7: Tie a Bow

Use the rest of the burlap or different color of ribbon to make a giant bow to go at the top of the tree. 

FAQ

What Are the Top Things to Be Thankful For?

Most people report being thankful for their family, friends, job, home, pets, and the food they will have during the holiday season. 

Why is it Important to Show Gratitude and Be Thankful?

During the holiday season, it can be easy to look at others with jealousy. Taking a moment to be thankful can help to absolve jealous feelings as well as help you to feel happier and calmer. 

Conclusion

Thanksgiving Thankful Trees are not only for decoration, but they are also a way to connect your family in November.

Whatever leaf shape and style you choose, you can guarantee your family will enjoy writing the things they are thankful for all month long.

Then, at the end of the month, you will have an amazing Thanksgiving Thankful Tree. 

 

Filed Under: Dollar tree crafts, Dollar tree decor, roosters, rustic, Stenciling Projects, Thanksgiving

Comments

  1. Christine says

    November 6 at 9:57 am

    What a cute tree and a wonderful idea, Debbie. Love it!…Christine

    Reply
  2. Shannon Fox says

    November 6 at 10:27 am

    This is so cute Deb, love the little punkins and this is so sweet. Great tradition.

    Reply
  3. Linda says

    November 6 at 11:05 am

    Very cute and clever. Gotta love the Dollar Tree store.

    Reply
  4. jessie says

    November 6 at 11:10 am

    How cute is this tree..and so nicely decorated love it!!

    Reply
  5. lisa diaz says

    November 6 at 11:53 am

    Of course you made this so beautiful! Sharing!

    Reply
  6. Penny @ The Comforts of Home says

    November 6 at 1:19 pm

    I love your Thankful tree! What a great idea Debbie!

    Reply
  7. Barbara F. says

    November 6 at 3:24 pm

    I love this Debbie! So talented! Perfect size tree, too.

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 6 at 3:41 pm

      Thanks Barb! I love my Charlie Brown tree:)

      Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 7 at 1:08 pm

      Charlie is perfect!

      Reply
      • ROben says

        July 3 at 8:04 am

        Where did u get the tree

        Reply
        • debbiedoo's says

          July 5 at 10:59 am

          Target a few years back.

          Reply
  8. Cindy says

    November 6 at 6:10 pm

    So sweet, love this idea!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  9. Peggy says

    November 6 at 7:04 pm

    Simply adorable tree; love it!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 7 at 1:08 pm

      Thanks Peggy! Hope all is well.

      Reply
  10. gina says

    November 6 at 7:24 pm

    This is suchva wonderful idea! It’s really pretty, too!

    Reply
  11. Pinky at Designs by Pinky says

    November 6 at 8:37 pm

    That is adorable! You are amazing!

    Reply
  12. Judy says

    November 6 at 8:56 pm

    Such a cute idea, and it sure looks easy. I put my Halloween tree away today, but now I’m thinking that I should get it back out and change it into a thankful tree! Thanks for another easy and inexpensive inspiration!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 7 at 1:07 pm

      You are welcome Judy! Mine almost went away too, but then I asked on instagram and this idea came up. I thought it was perfect and very fitting for the season and Holiday! I love it.

      Reply
  13. Heather says

    November 6 at 9:42 pm

    Turned out great Debbie! You are so clever!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 7 at 1:01 pm

      Thanks Heather it was fun!

      Reply
  14. Amy says

    November 7 at 12:17 am

    A great idea, and I love that it has rooster representation! I think it’s great to see the same things decorated in different ways. After all, most of us keep using the same things in our homes, so it’s good to be inspired to think about them in new ways.

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 7 at 1:01 pm

      Of course a roo or two:)

      Reply
  15. Jeanette Price says

    November 7 at 11:45 am

    I love it!! So cute and sweet. I feel like after Halloween is over people just blow Thanksgiving over and go right to Christmas. Thanks for sharing this I love it!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 7 at 1:00 pm

      Oh thank you Jeanette! I agree and this year I want to slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww it down:)

      Reply
  16. Nana Diana says

    November 8 at 8:54 am

    That is just a darling idea, Debbie. You are so clever and what a perfect fill-in until Christmas! xo Diana

    Reply
  17. Sue says

    November 9 at 3:54 pm

    Love the idea! Hmmm….in a group participation/ice breaker activity, maybe you could have your T’giving guests write what they’re thankful for on the leaves and then put them on tree….? Make people reflect & count their blessings…

    Btw, where did u pick up Charlie? It is THE perfect size!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 9 at 3:55 pm

      I found Charlie at Target last year:) I am betting they will have it again. Great idea BTW:) Thanks.

      Reply
  18. Susan says

    November 10 at 6:56 am

    Debbie that is a GREAT idea! I love the leaves!!

    Reply
  19. martina says

    November 10 at 8:09 pm

    I love it too Debbie and I love your rug!!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 10 at 10:22 pm

      Thanks Martina. We found the rug on ebay last year. It’s from Pottery barn.

      Reply
  20. Sharon says

    November 10 at 8:32 pm

    I adore your Thankful tree! It’s so festive and pretty and just right for the Thanksgiving season.

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      November 10 at 10:22 pm

      Thank you Sharon. I love it and so happy I did one this year.

      Reply
  21. Sylvia says

    August 19 at 9:52 pm

    Love ALL of your ideas and so-easy to follow instructions!!!! Definitely my favorite newsletter!!!! I have a special folder for them!!! Great work, Debbie!!!! God bless you and your family!! ❤️

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's says

      August 20 at 7:38 am

      Aww Sylvia, that is awesome. Thank you so very much. XO

      Reply
  22. Patti says

    November 12 at 9:09 pm

    TOOOO cute!! Great job!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Bisquick peach cobbler

Pioneer Woman Curtains

Festive Fall Christmas Tree Ideas

Dollar Tree Watermelon Clothespin wreath

Dollar Tree Clothespin Wreaths

Looking for something?

Privacy

Recent Posts

  • Bisquick peach cobbler
  • Pioneer Woman Curtains
  • Festive Fall Christmas Tree Ideas
  • Dollar Tree Clothespin Wreaths
  • Thanksgiving Thankful Tree

Printables & Images Policy: Please do not use my printables for anything that is sold or alter them in any way. Please do not post one (or more) of my printables on your site without my permission. If you would like to feature one of my images, please ask first. This includes, but is not limited to, other blogs, round-up sites and magazine publication sites. I can be reached at [email protected]

Debbie Manno (Debbiedoo's) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to (Debbiedoo's) (amazon.com). I also grant ZERO permission to use one or any of my photos/printables or any other content here within my website for features or "round ups" without prior permission. Thank you. I also would like to credit Pixabay.com for their CCO use of images. Noting that I can download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything I like, even in commercial applications. ANY recipes of mine that have inspired you to make and create, please always reference to finding the original recipe on my site and not sharing the entire recipe on your site for no incentive to visit the original creator. Thank you.

Copyright © 2023 Debbiedoo's · Log in