This post is dedicated to my friend, Jacob Conde.
Oh, the holidays! For some, like moi, it’s the most magical time of year. For others, it’s quite stressful, a series of months that can’t come and go soon enough.
Bah-humbug, right?
Well, not really. I can understand the rushing and running around to holiday parties and events can get a little crazy, so today I thought I’d share a simple craft project that can help bring all of us back to the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving…to give thanks!
Introducing, the Thanksgiving Tree Centerpiece! It’s a fun how-to you can do with the kids or a friend. For each day one week (or however long you wish) before the big day, everyone can write what they are thankful for on a leaf, then hang it upon the tree. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, your “Thankful For” tree will be filled with gratitude and leaves, which can then be displayed on the main or kids’ table. Yep. A double-duty craft.
You can thank me later.
Here now is the how-to and FREE printable leaf template:
Thanksgiving Tree Centerpiece supplies.
Supplies:
• 1 faux pumpkin
• spray paint
• sand or glass pebbles
• found branches
• moss
• felt
• colored cardstock paper
• Velcro Brand sticky-back coins
• twine
• colored Sharpie or markers
Thanksgiving Tree Centerpiece tools.
Tools:
• hole punch
• sharp knife or FISKARS craft knife
• scissors or FISKARS Amplify®Mixed Media Shears
• FISKARS cutting mat
• FISKARS pruners
Instructions:
1. Cut the top off a faux pumpkin with a craft knife.
Cut off top of faux pumpkin…just like a real one!
2. Spray paint pumpkin, then allow to dry.
Spray paint faux pumpkin – choose any color to match your Thanksgiving or home decor, or leave as is. BTW, you can also simply use a vase you love.
3. Fill prepared empty pumpkin with sand. Or, if you have pebbles, glass stones, or rice this is good, too. (kid-friendly step)
Add sand, pebbles, glass pebbles or even rice.
4. Clip, then add branches and moss. (kid-friendly step)
Cut branches – any kind will do. Be SURE to keep parts of little branches for hanging your leaves.
Insert branches – feel free to paint them gold, white or whatever floats your boat.
Add moss – this will hide any sand, soil, stones or rice…unless you like that look!
5. Trace, then cut out a felt leaf, Trace, then cut out a paper leaf. Use our FREE DOWNLOADABLE leaf template or any shape you wish!(tween/teen-friendly step)
Create cardboard templates – it’s much easier to trace with a harder surface.
Have fun with colorful papers and felt or go more subdued…whatever your style is, go with that!
6. Hole punch paper leaf, then cut a hole in felt leaf with craft knife or scissors.
Hole punch PAPER leaf stem, then cut a slit in the felt – paper hole punches get stuck in felt- blah.
5. Add a Velcro sticky-back button to both the felt and paper leaf, tie on a piece of twine to hang. (kid-friendly step)
Add Velcro Brand sticky-back buttons.
Leaves are now ready to be placed into a bowl left next to the tree, to then be written on each day, ONE WEEK before Thanksgiving.
7. Finishing step: Have everyone in your family write something you’re thankful for onto the paper side leaf, then hang.
EXTRA: for something a little extra special, you can add felt acorns – watch how we made them in our Craft an Autumn Corn Husk ‘n Felt Acorn Wreath project.
Colorful tree leaves make this centerpiece a statement piece!
Give thanks on leaves – I dedicate this post to my special friend, Jacob Conde.
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