Fall always brings lots of holiday homeschool traditions and memories. For our family this includes many projects, crafts and food, but there is one craft we do year after year that has special meaning. We call it our Blessing Tree and we’ve done this craft for so many years most of my children can’t remember not doing it.
It’s a very simple craft, but one we all enjoy, so gather up all your littles and join us in making a Blessing Tree!
First, you gather autumn colors of construction paper. I cut a large tree with bare limbs from a piece of brown. {As you can tell, this does NOT have to be perfect.}
This year I chose to write Our Blessing Tree on the tree itself rather than leave it blank as I usually do so that any guests we had over would know what it was. I like to hang the Blessing Tree in a prominent location in our home so we are reminded all season long of our blessings and we remember to be thankful.
After we tape the tree to a wall or door, everyone chooses a color of construction paper and traces their hands onto it…even my 15 year old son who needs two pieces of paper to get both of his hands traced. And yes, even Mommy and Daddy!
After we cut out our hands, we write our blessings on the fingers and all over the palms. For my non-readers, I write their blessings for them as they name them. For my new readers, I write out the words on a piece of paper for them to copy.
Then, we tape them to the tree to look like autumn leaves. After the season is over, you can laminate the handprints as a keepsake!
We have so many things to be thankful for. This is a good way to remember those blessings and give thanks out loud. I realized recently that it takes a humble person to be a truly thankful person. If you are not humble, you end up believing every good thing that comes your way was deserved and you expect good things to be ever-available. But, if you are humble and do not feel “deserving” of the blessings that come your way, you always live a thankful life…a blessed life!
If you are looking for ways to make your holiday homeschool special, you should get my Holiday Homeschool Thanksgiving Planner (or snag the Planner Pack for Thanksgiving and Christmas!). This is how I plan, keep track of, and preserve all those wonderful holiday homeschooling memories!
I hope you will take the time this Fall to make your own family Blessing Tree and be thankful for your many blessings.
Suanna says
Amy, is the trunk made from a standard size piece of construction paper?
Amy says
Yes, it is. 🙂
Kirstie says
I love this idea and I am going to put it into action. I just need to find a place where my 14 month old will not delight in ripping it down as is his wont. Yes, he could probably be trained not to, but during that process it would get shredded. I know… on the wall going up the stairs *behind* the baby gate.
Mandy says
My girls used to tear EVERYTHING. Oh, it drove me nuts! They’re 4 and 6 now, and thankfully over that. I feel for you!
Mandy says
I love this! It’s right up my alley. Thanks for sharing! My kids will love doing this!
Andrea says
Thanks for giving me a great craft to do with my kids today!
Lisa says
Thanks for the inspiration Amy! We just completed our blessing tree. It was a wonderful craft.
Susan says
Love this! We’ve also done this with a real tree branch stuck in a vase and then hung the leaves on the branches. Great way to be reminded of all our blessings!
Amy says
Great idea! I don’t have a lot of flat surfaces, but that would make a nice table centerpiece. 🙂
Michele P says
Love this as well! Off to find some paper! Thank you for sharing, Amy!
Amy says
Enjoy, Michele! 🙂
Krystal says
We are having our annual pumpkin carving event with our family tonight and I think I’m going to incorporate this as another tradition and start it tonight. I may even add extra hands on the tree so as we think of additional things to be thankful for, we can write them down. Seeing this activity made me all warm & fuzzy inside. Thank you for sharing this.
With Blessings,
Krystal
Amy says
Enjoy!
Danielle says
I love the hand that says “me”! So cute!! 🙂 Excellent idea–may be borrowing it.
Lori says
Great idea. I am doing this for my parents with all 18 of their great grandchildren. They live in an independent retirement home and this will look great on their door.
Suzanne Holt says
This is such a beautiful idea! Thank you for sharing. I happily pinned this idea to my “Planting trees” board.
Fillippa Griffith says
I am going to do this with the special needs adults that I work with. I think this will help them to understand the real meaning behind thanksgiving! Thank you
Colette Moore says
Thank you for this Great Idea! I’m going to use it this week for my Sunday school class!
Sofia says
cool idea we are doing it now
Roxanne Reed says
Turly enjoyed the activity
Jenni says
I love this thanks for the great idea Def going to do this Idea in my class room
Linda Hallas says
I reported that there is inappropriate ads showing up on this site. A website called little gay book. com – looking for lesbian events. I hope it gets removed.
God’s blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Amy says
Thank you, Linda! That helps the ad company know that something isn’t right! I appreciate it!
Kathryn says
Just reread this post and loved what you said about humble people being thankful people – this is great insight! Planning to do this activity again this year after missing it the last couple years! 🙂 thank you!