How to Make a Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree
A jar of bare branches, a stack of paper leaves and a pen by the door. By Thanksgiving Day, the tree is full of everything your family is thankful for.
By the HotsBuzz team ·
- Skill levelEasy
- Time1 hour to build, then ongoing
- Budget$8-$20
- Steps7
A Thanksgiving gratitude tree is one of the simplest traditions you can start this fall. You set a vase of bare branches somewhere everyone passes, leave out a pile of paper leaves and a pen, and invite family and guests to write one thing they’re thankful for and hang it up. Over a few weeks the branches fill with color and handwriting.
It works as a centerpiece, an entryway display or a kids’ table activity, and it costs very little. The branches can come from your own yard, and the leaves are just cardstock cut from a template.
Start it at the beginning of November so it has time to grow, or set it up on Thanksgiving Day and let guests fill it during the meal. Either way, save the leaves afterward. Reading last year’s notes is half the fun.
Materials & tools
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You’ll need
Tools
Step-by-step instructions
Gather and dry the branches
Look for fallen branches with lots of small side twigs, since those give you more places to hang leaves. Bring them indoors and let them dry for a day or two if they’re damp. Shake them over the trash or tap them outside to knock off loose bark and any insects.
Trim to size
Hold the branches up to your vase and trim them with pruning shears so the tallest is roughly two to three times the vase’s height. Cut the bottoms at an angle so they settle into the filler more easily. Snip off any twigs that point straight at viewers and would snag sleeves.
Anchor the branches
Fill the vase about two-thirds with beans, rice or rocks, then push the branches in, tallest in the center and shorter ones around the edges. Top up the filler until the branches stand firm on their own. If the arrangement tips easily, add weight to the bottom with rocks before the lighter filler.
Make a leaf template
Draw a simple leaf about 3 in. long on thin cardboard: an oak, maple or plain oval leaf all work. Leave the writing area fairly open so there’s room for a sentence. Cut it out and trace it onto the cardstock, fitting as many as you can per sheet.
Cut and punch the leaves
Cut out 30-60 leaves depending on how many people will contribute. Punch a hole near the stem end of each one. Thread a 6-7 in. piece of twine through each hole and tie a loose knot so the loop is ready to hang.
Set up a writing station
Place the leaves in a small bowl or basket next to the tree with a cup of pens. A small card that says “What are you thankful for?” helps guests understand the idea without explanation. Keep a few blank leaves aside for latecomers.
Hang, read and save
Encourage everyone to write a leaf and hang it wherever there’s space. Read a few aloud at dinner if your crowd enjoys that. When the season ends, slip the leaves into an envelope labeled with the year and store it with your fall decor.
Tips for success
- Kids who can’t write yet can draw a picture on their leaf, and an adult can add a caption on the back.
- If you don’t have branches, a few stems of curly willow from a craft store work and are already clean and dry.
- Use a pen that won’t smear on cardstock; gel pens can stay wet for a minute and smudge when hung quickly.
- Place the tree away from candles and the stove, since dry branches and paper catch fire easily.
Make it your own
Wall gratitude tree
Tape a tree trunk cut from brown kraft paper to a wall or door and let people tape leaves around it. It takes up no table space and works well in small apartments.
Real pressed leaves
Collect real fall leaves, press them flat for a week, and have guests write on them with a metallic paint pen. They’re more fragile, so hang them with a dab of washi tape instead of twine.
Gratitude tree centerpiece
Build a smaller version in a short crock with 10-12 in. twigs and tiny 2 in. leaves, and set it in the middle of the table as a conversation starter during the meal.
Frequently asked questions
When should I put up a gratitude tree?
Many families set it up on November 1 and add a leaf each day until Thanksgiving. If you’re hosting a single gathering, setting it up that morning works just as well.
How do I keep the branches from tipping over?
Use a heavy, wide-based container and fill it with dense filler like dried beans or rocks. Keep the tallest branches in the center and avoid letting branches lean far beyond the rim.
What can I do with the leaves afterward?
Store them in a dated envelope, glue them into a scrapbook page, or laminate a few favorites as placemats for next year’s table.
