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    Home » DIY & Crafts » Crafts for Kids

    Thankful Tree Tutorial

    Published: Jan 29, 2021 by Heidi Fowler. This post may contain affiliate links 62 Comments

    Our Thankful Tree--A new family tradition {This easy tree is made from free packing material!} {OneCreativeMommy.com} #thanksgiving #familytraditions #thankful #familytree
    Family Thankful Tree from OneCreativeMommy.com

    For the last few years, we've spent Thanksgiving morning writing things we're thankful for on simple Fall shapes.  This year, I decided to turn it into a month-long tradition.  Instead of listing what we're thankful for all at once, we'll add them to our tree all month long!  This tree may look complicated, but you can do it!  (I'll show you how.)

    How to create a recycled Thanksgiving thankful tree

    My tree is made from brown-paper packing material that arrived with a package earlier this week (perfect timing).  You could also make it out of brown craft paper or recycled  paper sacks (just tape the pieces together on the printed side).  I want my tree to last from year to year, so I mounted it on a tri-fold presentation board.

    You could also pin it to a bulletin board or just stick it right on your wall.

    Our Thankful Tree--A new family tradition {Not an artist? You can do this! The simple tree is made from free packing material!}

    1. Crumple your tree material.  (This is the fun part!)  I had way more than I needed.  You need just enough to match the height of your board.
    2. Spread out the top half of the paper.
    3. Cut the top half into four or five sections.  (I used five, but I ended up trimming off most of the fifth branch.)
    4. Trim each of the five branches into three smaller branches.

    Our Thankful Tree--A new family tradition {Not an artist? You can do this! The simple tree is made from free packing material!}

    1. Begin to shape your branches by crumbling them up and then shaping them into swirls.
    2. Continue with the other branches, allowing them to overlap and trimming branches when they are too long.
    3. Too many branches?  No problem.  Cut them off completely, or leave short stubs.  (You can hide any crazy spots by creatively arranging the wrinkles and taping or gluing them into place.
    4. Affix the trunk and branches to the presentation board using masking tape, double-sided tape, glue, or a combination of all three!  I used masking tape for the trunk and scrapbook tape runner for the branches.

    Thankful tree version 2

    Thanksgiving Thankful Tree Tutorial {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    I found this gem while looking through photos today (11/2020). This is our first thankful tree. If you look closely, you'll see lots of fun pictures drawn by my kids. I love the leaves created by my youngest daughter -- scibbles with a marker. Such a fun memory!

    This tree was created with brown butcher paper that I crumpled up, spread back out, and then cut. I guess I really like the idea of a swirly 3D tree. You could easily make a flat tree with straight branches instead if 3D and swirly is above your creativity or effort level.

    Now you're ready to display your board and start adding leaves.  I've created printable leaves for you. Just print and cut. Click on the download link below to

    Click to download file from One Creative Mommy

    *Since writing this post last year, I won a Silhoutte! (I know. So cool!) If you'd like a cutting file instead, I've linked it in this post.

    Our Thankful Tree--A new family tradition {This easy tree is made from free packing material!} #thankfultree #thanksgiving

    Depending on the age of your kids, keep a marker, masking tape and envelope of leaves next to the tree, and let them add leaves whenever they feel inspired.  (I plan to let them add more leaves every year until the tree is so full that we need a new one.  It will be fun to read the old leaves at the beginning of November each year.)  Inspired by this video, I'll be sharing something I'm grateful for on Facebook every day this month.  Have fun teaching your family about showing gratitude every day!

    Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure to check out some of my other ideas while you are here.  The images below are linked to posts. Click on them to pay a visit.

    Spice up lunch this November with silly Thanksgiving lunchbox jokes! {OneCreativeMommy.com} Free Printables #thanksgiving #lunchboxjokes #lunchboxlovenotes #jokes #lunchtime

    What a great way to keep the kids busy while they wait for Thanksgiving dinner! I love Bingo! {OneCreativeMommy.com} Free Printable Thanksgiving Bingo Boards #thanksgiving #bingo #printablebingo #thanksgivinggamesFree Thanksgiving coloring pages--While you are in the kitchen preparing TURKEY WITH DRESSING, why not let the kiddos make some DRESSED TURKEYS? {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Simple tutorial and free printable to make Thankful Place Cards for your Thanksgiving table {Guest post on One Creative Mommy by The Experimental Home}

    rolled-paper-pumpkins

    Heidi

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    About Heidi

    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    Learn more about me →

    Comments

    1. Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch

      November 02, 2012 at 8:23 am

      Thanks so much for hosting. I have linked up 3 fun fall recipes. Enjoy!! Nichi

      Reply
    2. Kathie

      November 02, 2012 at 9:20 am

      I love your thankful tree! My post includes a thankful tree but on a much smaller scale! Thanks for hosting the party! Lovin' all of the fall ideas!

      Reply
    3. Mindi

      November 02, 2012 at 9:40 am

      Thanks for the party Heidi!

      Reply
    4. Lara

      November 02, 2012 at 9:47 am

      What a fun party....thank you so much for hosting. Had some trouble with my cropping, so sorry for the icky pic. I love your blog!!

      Reply
    5. JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose

      November 02, 2012 at 11:16 am

      That tree idea is super cute! gotta remember this one.
      JoAnn

      Reply
    6. Jenn

      November 02, 2012 at 11:23 am

      Love your thankful tree! Just subscribed to your site, thanks for hosting!

      Reply
    7. Bonny @ thedomesticatedprincess.com

      November 02, 2012 at 11:30 am

      This is such a cute way to get our kids into thinking about being Thankful all month. I'm going to share this link on my FB page.

      Reply
    8. It's not just about the recipe . . . .

      November 02, 2012 at 12:58 pm

      You have a wonderful blog! I love your Thankful Tree art project - what a great idea! Thank you for hosting. Have a wonderful weekend!

      Reply
    9. Katherines Corner

      November 02, 2012 at 1:18 pm

      Thank you for hosting I'm all linked up and looking forward to hopping around Hugs and happy weekend wishes.

      Reply
    10. Shenita

      November 02, 2012 at 3:59 pm

      What a great idea!! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments today. Love your blog! Can't wait to spend some time visiting the other links over the weekend!

      Reply
    11. Kathy Moody

      November 02, 2012 at 7:56 pm

      Thank you so much for hosting! That adorable tree is right up my alley!! Have a wonderful weekend. :)

      Reply
    12. emily

      November 03, 2012 at 12:58 am

      I love your tree!! I'm hosting a Thanksgiving party all month long (until Thanksgiving) and would love for you to come over and link it up! This is in addition to my normal Tasteful Tuesday party that runs every Tuesday. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate Thanksgiving and be THANKFUL for all our blessings. http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2012/10/pull-apart-pumpkin-maple-bread-and.html

      Reply
    13. Diane

      November 03, 2012 at 8:19 am

      Thanks for co hosting. What a cute idea. I love the tree. Have a wonderful weekend :)

      Reply
    14. K @ Claiming Our Space

      November 04, 2012 at 7:59 am

      I love this. Too bad I just threw away some of the same paper this week. Thanks for being a great co-host.

      Reply
    15. Mary Catherine

      November 05, 2012 at 2:48 pm

      What a beautiful idea, thanks for sharing! Thanks, also, for hosting. :)

      Reply
    16. stephanie

      November 06, 2012 at 6:47 am

      Great idea, that tree is adorable, thanks for linking up on Super Sweet Saturday.
      Steph
      swtboutique.blogspot.com

      Reply
    17. OneCreativeMommy.com on Facebook

      November 07, 2012 at 12:23 pm

      Thanks, ladies! Love your sites.

      Reply
    18. Sara - My Merry Messy Life

      November 07, 2012 at 8:31 pm

      What a wonderful idea! I love how you used the brown paper and how it's a family activity! Stopping over from Earning My Cape's super link party!

      Reply
    19. Julie Moore

      November 08, 2012 at 8:12 am

      I linked up 2 posts:

      1. Twenty-Two Days of Thanks: Day Two (on Fibro, Fit and Fab!) where I talk about how I'm grateful for my family.

      2. My recipe for Pumpkin Muffins (Soy, Fish and Nut-Free, Can Be Milk-Free) - my newest and fast-becoming favorite fall muffin recipe! :)

      Thanks for hosting!

      Reply
    20. Marilyn

      November 08, 2012 at 1:17 pm

      Love this thankful tree! great post! I gave our party another shout out!

      http://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2012/11/holiday-fun-dont-miss-out.html

      Marilyn

      Reply
    21. Diana Rambles

      November 10, 2012 at 8:42 am

      Thanks for visiting up and linking!

      Reply
    22. stephanie

      November 10, 2012 at 9:20 am

      Great craft, I can't wait to see what my four year old says he's grateful for! Thanks for linking up on Super Sweet Saturday.
      Steph
      swtboutique.blogspot.com

      Reply
    23. Jessi @ Practically Functional

      November 11, 2012 at 1:43 am

      Great idea! I love that it helps you remember to think about being grateful. :-) Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!

      Reply
    24. Trish - Mom On Timeout

      November 12, 2012 at 10:52 am

      I love your tree! So awesome! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout! Have a great week!

      Reply
    25. Stacey

      November 13, 2012 at 10:41 pm

      Thank you very much for sharing your Family Thankful Tree Tutorial and Free Printable at the Real Housemom's Fabulous Fridays Link Party! I really love the idea of spreading the project out to make it a month long tradition. Great idea to mount the tree on a presentation board so you can use it year after year!

      Reply
    26. Debi @ Adorned From Above

      November 14, 2012 at 8:12 pm

      Love your printable and thankful tree. Thanks so much for sharing at last Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party. This weeks party is live. The link to the party is
      http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/11/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-link_14.html
      Can't wait to see you there.
      Have a great week.
      Debi

      Reply
    27. emily

      November 18, 2012 at 2:00 am

      Hi! Just wanted to let you know I featured your thankful tree on my post yesterday :o) Love it!
      http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2012/11/my-thankful-tree-some-of-yours.html

      Reply
    28. Gosia

      November 08, 2013 at 7:23 pm

      Oh, this is so adorable! You are so creative!
      Thanks for sharing at Foodies & Crafties Soirée!
      Gosia | Kiddie Foodies

      Reply
      • Heidi

        November 08, 2013 at 8:48 pm

        Thanks, Gosia! Congrats on your first linky party.

        Reply
    29. Nici ~Posed Perfection

      November 08, 2013 at 9:30 pm

      Such a great idea to spur on those expressions of gratitude! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend!
      Blessings,
      Nici

      Reply
      • Heidi

        November 08, 2013 at 9:37 pm

        Thanks, Nici! We love it. I'm off to check out your crescent rolls.

        Reply
    30. Sarah

      November 10, 2013 at 12:57 pm

      Absolutely gorgeous! And simple, too! Thanks for sharing at the Foodies and Crafties Soiree.

      Reply
    31. Sarah

      November 11, 2013 at 12:34 pm

      Pinned this to our Foodies and Crafties Soiree Best of Pinterest Board as one of my favorite projects- thanks so much for linking up with us!

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        November 11, 2013 at 7:03 pm

        Thanks so much, Sarah! I'm honored.

        Reply
    32. Julie Moore

      November 26, 2013 at 12:42 pm

      This is great! Absolutely love these! Thanks so much for sharing it on my Thanksgiving link-up! :)

      Reply
    33. lal

      September 06, 2016 at 1:46 am

      Thanks for sharing at the Foodies and Crafties Soiree.....

      Reply

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    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    More about me →

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