The Holiday Blessing Tree for a New Family Tradition

A wonderful custom anyone can adopt during the Holiday season is the use of the Blessing Tree. Whether Christian, Jewish, Wiccan or simply wish to offer blessings to others, the Blessing Tree is a beautiful symbol of your wishes, desires, and hopes for friends, family, humanity and Mother Earth. The Blessing Tree helps positive energies take root and manifest in the days to come.

Many trees during the holiday season are cut, decorated, undecorated and discarded. A Blessing Tree is decorated and when the holiday is over, the tree is planted in the ground. The tree becomes a part of the Earth and family holiday memories.

The picking of the special tree can become a family tradition as members agree on their choice for a tree. A healthy hardy tree is important to make sure the plant takes root and thrives. Adequate pot space for the tree is important to ensure the tree receives sufficient water during the season. Location of the tree in the house or apartment is important. Avoid places heat vents pour hot air on trees and cause drying.

Another family tradition is the construction of the blessings and wishes. Recycled paper can be used for the writings. Some suggestions for tree decorations are cutting paper into shapes or making chain loops. Recycled ribbon can be used to tie blessings on the tree, or they may be folded and inserted carefully into the tree. A Blessing Tree can become festive or elegant or any desired appearance.

Writing blessings is a wonderful group activity or a solitary project accomplished with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and a quiet moment. Blessings can be written in many words or a single word because blessings are the personal touch. Blessings can be written with a "to and from label" similar to a gift tag, names, pictures and symbols. The manner a person chooses to express hopes, dreams and desires for others is part of the personal touch of a Blessing Tree.

Suggestions for blessings and hopes are endless. Perhaps a friend has lost a loved one and needs healing. Maybe a family member has suffered job loss and needs a new position. Perhaps a baby is on the way and the blessing is for a healthy happy baby. Perhaps it is a message of gratitude for all the blessings received. A gift to others does not have to be an object; a gift can be an intention, a wish that is silent but pure from the heart.

Leave room if possible for friends and family to add their blessings. Leave a small stack of paper, a pen and ribbon for their use. When people see this tree, often they will ask if they might also put a blessing or two on the tree. People will be amazed at the simple beauty of a Blessing Tree and how the number of blessings magically increases. During the holidays people exchange gifts, entertain, and with the Blessing Tree send out their blessings and hopes for others.

At the end of the holiday season, the blessings should be burned in a beautiful fire or planted alongside the tree. By burning or planting the blessings and the tree, these blessings take root and grow and flourish. Perhaps planting on New Year's Day is an excellent way to start the New Year, full of hopes and wishes for a successful and happy New Year.

The Blessing Tree is not limited to the December holidays; any occasion can be used for making a Blessing Tree. A live tree planted is a positive activity for Mother Earth. A live Blessing Tree planted is a positive action filled with heart and best wishes.