Do you have a November gratitude tradition? When the kids were younger, we loved making a Thankful tree and covering it with leaves listing what we were thankful for. That tradition slipped away as the family got busy, but here is another tradition to try, one that will hopefully start a pay-it-forward chain in our community.
These free printable thank-you cards make it easy to start a gratitude chain. You can choose the original fall cards or the new kid-friendly designs, write a kind note, and invite the next person to pay it forward.
"You've Been Thanked" Gratitude Activity
I've been thinking about the Halloween idea of "You've been boo'ed," and the Easter idea of "You've been egged," and trying to find a way to make that work for Thanksgiving. I came up with an idea that I hope will spread an attitude of gratitude and cheer up hearts this November.
"You've been turkey-ed" doesn't really work, so how about, "You've been thanked?" My idea is for people to write kind thank-you notes to friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, teachers, the mail carrier, whoever. Include a matching challenge card encouraging them to thank someone else.
What do you think? Will the gratitude chain catch on? I hope so. The idea came to me in the middle of the night, so it was either inspired or the result of a sleepy brain.
Two Free Printable Thank-You Card Sets
The Original Fall Cards
The original cards are still available! Choose blank, wide-ruled, or college-ruled note cards, and pair them with a pay-it-forward challenge card. The challenge cards include wording options for children and adults.
The original challenge cards begin with one of these quotes:
It's not happy people who are thankful, it's thankful people who are happy.
or
Happiness grows when you give it away.
They invite the recipient to keep the gratitude chain going by writing notes to brighten someone else's day.
New Kid-Friendly Gratitude Cards
I also created a colorful set just for kids, with sunshine, flowers, superheroes, and space designs. Each thank-you note has a matching challenge card with simple wording to encourage the next person to pass on some kindness.
The four-page PDF includes blank and lined notes. Kids can choose a design they love and write a message in their own words. There's room for a short thank-you, and the blank versions leave space for a drawing, too.
How to Start a Pay-It-Forward Gratitude Chain
- Choose a free printable set from the two downloads below.
- Print the pages you want on paper or cardstock, and cut out your favorite note cards and matching challenge cards.
- Write a thank-you note. Tell the person what you appreciate about them, or thank them for something specific they did.
- Pair your note with a challenge card inviting them to thank someone else.
- Deliver it! Mail your note, leave it on a neighbor's doorstep, or give it to a friend, family member, or teacher. You can include an extra blank note card and a stamp to help them get started.
Help Kids Find the Words
A thank-you note doesn't need to be long. Try a simple sentence such as, "Thank you for reading with me," or "I loved it when you helped me learn to ride my bike." Younger children can tell an adult what they'd like to say or draw a picture.
This is a fun gratitude activity for November, but kindness doesn't need a holiday. Keep a few cards handy for any time someone makes your day.
Download Your Free Printable Cards
Choose either set, or get both! Click the download button below your chosen set to visit its free product page at A Little More Lovely, where you can enter your email address to receive the PDF.
Original Fall Thank-You Cards
Blank, wide-ruled, and college-ruled notes with the original gratitude challenge cards.
New Kids Gratitude Chain Cards
Sunshine, flowers, superheroes, and space designs with blank and lined notes and matching kid-friendly challenge cards.
That's it. Will you take the challenge?
I hope it will be a great start for focusing on gratitude this month.
If you take the challenge, share how it went in the comments. I'd love to hear whose day you brightened!
Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to stick around and browse more Fall ideas.
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Joan Cajic
This is such a great idea, we tend to forget sometimes to just be thankful even for the smallest of thing. I really love this I need to start something like this too.
Erika Ramona
It's true that even family traditions tend to slip away through busy times. But it's refreshing to know and have new ideas for the future.
Dani
What a beautiful idea! A kind gesture or thanks could completely change someones day. Team gratitude all year round! :)
Brittany Vantrease
This is a great idea! I've been trying to get my son to write letters to my grandma and he's been making little comics with little writing in it. (we're supposed to practice our writing when we do this) This would be great to get him to write a few, really good sentences.
Echo
This is such a cute idea. I love these printables too!
Sarah Meh
I like such a great idea. It can make someone's day.
Wanda Lopez
I love sending notes. Specially "thank you" notes. They are so sweet and meaningful. We can easily forget to be thankful and thoughtful, specially with the business of life.
Cara
this is such a lovely thing to do, especially leading up to the holidays!
Princess Quinn
What a nice way to take care of family tradition. Activities like this makes occassions more memorable. I am definitely trying this.
Rosey
Thank you cards like that are so sweet. I love to have cute items on hand for when I need them.
Rosey
Let me say I love the pay it forward concept too!
What Corinne Did
Those printable cards are such a great idea! There are so many small things to be grateful for, that sometimes we forget about and those cards make great reminders!
Swathi
Giving thanks and sharing gratitude is always best practice I need to get my son and daughter write some thank you letter. Make it as tradition.
Devyani Ray
Gratitude is so important- especially for kids to learn. I live these ideas a lot. Thanks for sharing
christy
How can I download the thankful printable cards? is says to add my email and then you will send them to me but there is no download.
Heidi
Hi, Christy. I’m not sure why, but often the email with the download link goes to spam. After you click the button for the free printable and sign up for the newsletter, you should immediately get an email with the link. Please check your junk email folder for an email with a subject line something like, “Here is your complimentary printable.” It should have come before the welcome email.