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A Thoughtful Place

A Thoughtful Place is a Tennessee based lifestyle blog about design, fashion, gatherings and the occasional from the heart post.

Christmas Craft: The Giving Tree

November 29, 2011 by Courtney 18 Comments

Now that December is almost here, we have been busy not only decorating but thinking of ways to make our season really special. A dear friend of mine, Kjersten,  had delivered a thankful tree to our front porch during Thanksgiving week. It was a wonderful thing to see our children fill up the tree with thoughts about what they were most thankful for. I decided to keep the tree up for Christmas, but give it a new twist. I took down the thankful leaves {kept them of course} and now we have a beautiful giving tree for us to fill up. IMG_5558 IMG_5554 IMG_5555 What You Need: 1. Branches 2. Gold or silver spray paint 3. Mason Jar 4. Decorative ribbon 5. Paper for your gift tags. IMG_5559 Since I already had what we needed, all I did was spray the branches gold to give them some shimmer. I added a ribbon and used the silhouette to cut out gift tags {although it was probably more time consuming than just grabbing premade gift tags!} Might even be a great activity to have the children cut them out. I think I will do that next year.       IMG_5568IMG_5570IMG_5576 The Plan: For photo purposes, I hung many tags . . . but we will start with the bare tree and add to it as we โ€œgiveโ€ to others. This can be anything from donating a toy to giving a compliment when someone really needs it. My three year old son received a lollipop from the store today and decided to give it to his sister{without any prompting from me . . . a proud mommy moment}. I am excited to watch the tree fill up and to see our focus turn to others as much as possible. IMG_5577 IMG_5578IMG_5584 I am linking this craft up to Cassieโ€™s Holiday Link Party! Come on over and join us. On Thursday I will be showing you one of my Christmas Vignettes and inviting you to link yours up as well. {And if you are like me and was confused by the term Holiday Vignette . . . itโ€™s ANY Christmas dรฉcor you have around the house!} I will be showing my sideboard. Maybe you decorate your entry, or your buffet . . . it can really be anything! So donโ€™t miss out. I canโ€™t wait to see what you are up to.   Now head on over to Hi Sugarplum! and get those crafts linked up. โ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ Sharing the Giving Tree with My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Filed Under: Christmas, Do it yourself, holiday, link party, Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. Executiva de Panela says

    November 29, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    A wonderful idea for a warm tree – I mean warm because it will turn into something full of good feelings! Loved it!

    Reply
  2. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    November 29, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    i love this idea! it is sweet, pretty, and what christmas is about.

    Reply
  3. Michaela says

    November 29, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    So cute, courtney! This is a great craft because it's sparkly and it teaches kiddos to be grateful and remember what the holiday season is all about!

    Reply
  4. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    November 29, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Oh this is such a great way to teach them about giving! I love this!

    Reply
  5. Kelly | Eat Yourself Skinny says

    November 29, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    What a cute idea and so simple to put together!! Looks amazing! I'm absolutely in LOVE with your blog, so glad to be a new follower! xoxo

    Reply
  6. Cassie {Hi Sugarplum!} says

    November 29, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    What a great idea, girlie!! this time of year, my kids get so 'gimme' — I think I need to set one of these up pronto!! Great photography, too!!

    Reply
  7. Bonnie says

    November 29, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    Fabulous! Totally going to do this with my children! Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Punctuation Mark says

    November 29, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    that is adorable… love your photos!!!

    Reply
  9. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} says

    November 29, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    How gorgeous those little glittery leafs are! They make it feel even more special…and the cute little tags…so darling! I love that it helps focus on the real meaning of Christmas, too, that is the very best part!

    Reply
  10. natasha {schue love} says

    November 29, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    The tree is so so cute and continues to remind us why it is so good to be thankful all season long. Love it!! Can't wait for your link up this Thursday! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  11. courtneyoutloud says

    November 29, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    I love this idea and do something similar but with envelopes.

    Reply
  12. Alexa says

    November 29, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Oh super cute! Love this idea!

    Reply
  13. Allison says

    November 29, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    I love this, Courtney. So pretty and meaningful.

    Reply
  14. Blue Turtle says

    November 30, 2011 at 1:30 am

    Yes. Thanks for reminding me of the giving tree. Instead of making purely a Christmas tree I'll make it also a giving tree.

    thanks,
    jeavon @ Interior Design

    Reply
  15. Shannon Marie says

    November 30, 2011 at 1:40 am

    I am in love with this idea. I'm in college and plan to make my own for my apartment. It's such a constant reminder of love & meaningful things!

    Reply
  16. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    November 30, 2011 at 2:08 am

    Such a great way to make the Christmas season meaningful for your little ones. We do something similar: the chain of kindness….paper chains to decorate the tree with, made out of scraps of Christmas wrapping paper, with any acts of kindness committed around our house written on the inside.
    How sweet was your friend for bringing a thankful tree???
    Enjoy Christmastime with your kiddos, Courtney.

    Reply
  17. Laura says

    November 30, 2011 at 3:23 am

    This is such a cute idea! What a good way to inspire giving not only gifts on Christmas day but as a way of life… I will definitely use this one day when I have kids ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  18. Megan {Honey We're Home} says

    December 3, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    I meant to do something like this for Thanksgiving, but didn't get to it. Kudos to you for such a sweet holiday tradition.

    Reply

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