Thanksgiving: Do-It-Yourself Decorations

If you're having a family get-together, there's no better way to say thank you than with homemade "'I'm Thankful For' Tree Leaves." The possibilities are endless with this project -Let's get started! (Recommended for children ages 7 and up)

This project is also great way to keep your kids busy while you baste the turkey and stir the potatoes! Here's what you'll need to get started: fall colored construction paper (brown, green, orange, yellow, red, pink and purple), silver and gold glitter, felt tip markers, pencils, scissors, glue, newspaper, and leaves.

Gather Leaves
Send your kids on a scavenger hunt to find as many different kinds and sizes of leaves they can, they'll use them as the patterns for your "'I'm Thankful For' Tree Leaves." It's probably best to tell them to find 5 different kinds each, you could even offer a prize for the first one who returns with them! Giving each child thier own supplies may also help make this an enjoyable experience!

Trace Patterns
Once you've gathered the leaves, it's time to start tracing! Using a pencil, trace thier leaves onto the consruction paper. You can trace as many leaves as you want and use any color construction paper you prefer.

Cut "'I'm Thankful For' Tree Leaves" Patterns
When the tracing is all done, it's time to start cutting out the patterns. Be sure to include the stem of the leaf of you are planning to attach a string to make a mobile. (Children should be supervised at all times while using scissors.)

Let the creativity begin!

Now that the leaves have been gathered, traced and cut out, it's time to begin writing what you're thankful for on them! Here are some ideas: family, friends, favorite time of day, favorite food, laughter, health, and happiness.

Now all that's left is my favorite part - the glitter! This is where the newspaper comes in handy; cover your work are a with the newspaper and begin spreading the glue around the edges of the leaves. Before the glue has a chance to dry sprinkle a little bit of glitter on each one; you may need to gently press the glitter to the leaf to make more of it stick. Let them dry completely then shake off the extra glitter. Other embellishments or design ideas may also be used to make your "'I'm Thankful For' Tree Leaves" truly unique.

When you've finished your "'I'm Thankful For' Tree Leaves," you can use them as door decorations, placecards, napkin rings or you can create a mobile! Enjoy!