Gratitude Series: Making a Family Thankful Tree
A Family Ritual for Growing Gratitude
There’s a moment in mid-October when the trees outside seem to whisper: “Look closer.” Not at the grandeur of fall, but at the small things—the chipped mug of cider, the giggle from the hallway, the warmth of socks pulled straight from the dryer. That’s where gratitude lives. Not in sweeping gestures, but in the dailiness. The Thankful Tree is our way of gathering those moments. One leaf. One thought. One flicker of joy, held gently in place.
It’s a tradition that begins quietly. A bare branch in a vase. A stack of paper leaves. A few markers scattered on the table. And then, slowly, it grows—leaf by leaf, day by day—into something more than decoration. It becomes a rhythm. A ritual. A way of seeing.
What Is a Thankful Tree?
At its heart, a Thankful Tree is a visual collection of gratitude. Each leaf holds a note, a drawing, a name, or a memory—something one of us is thankful for. Over time, the tree fills with color and meaning, becoming a living centerpiece of the season.
But more than that, it’s a practice. A way to teach children (and ourselves) that gratitude isn’t reserved for grand moments. It’s found in the ordinary. The overlooked. The everyday magic.
How We Build Ours
There’s no single way to make a Thankful Tree. Some years, we use a branch from the backyard, anchored in a jar of stones. Other years, we draw a tree on kraft paper and tape it to the wall. The format shifts, but the heart stays the same.
We cut out leaves—maple, oak, heart-shaped, whatever feels right—and keep them nearby. Each day, we add one. Sometimes it’s a scribbled drawing from our son. Sometimes it’s a sentence or a poem. Sometimes it’s just a word. The important part isn’t the polish—it’s the pause.
Ways to Make It Yours
Theme Prompts: Try “Thankful for a person,” “Thankful for something that made me laugh,” or “Thankful for today.”
Guest Leaves: Invite friends and family to add a leaf when they visit. It’s a lovely way to include others in your rhythm.
Keepsake Box: At the end of the season, gather the leaves into a memory box or scrapbook. They become tiny time capsules of joy.
Why It Matters
Gratitude isn’t just a seasonal sentiment—it’s a way of seeing. A skill we can nurture. A lens we can offer our children. The Thankful Tree is a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and connect. And in the process, we grow something far more lasting than paper leaves—we grow hearts full of thanks.
Let me know if you'd like to pair this with a printable leaf template, a thumbnail concept that blends illustration and photography, or a short companion caption for social. I’d love to help you carry this editorial through the rest of the Fall Journal scroll.