As much fun as September and October were, I’m excited about getting back to our normal posts and projects around here. In case you missed it, I’ll be writing over at Oh My! Creative a few times a month and sharing some simple seasonal printables and fun kid crafts for your family. The girls and I were brainstorming a few ways to share what we are thankful for this season and this jar was one of our favorite ideas!
I don’t know about you, but in our home we are constantly talking about gratitude and how much we have to be thankful for. I know we are just wrapping up Halloween, but I wanted to get a head start on helping my girls recognize these things during the upcoming holiday season. Enter our Thankful Jar.
Instead of having blank cards or strips of paper to write on like we have in the past, I created a quick printable with prompts to make it easier for my girls to collect their thoughts. These prompts inspire kids to share special notes about the ones they love, things they are thankful for and reasons they love the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a simple concept, but I think that putting pen to paper helps us all remember just how much we have to be grateful for this time of year.
Josh and I got a big kick out of reading through the few they’ve already managed to complete. Especially when Ella said he was “sometimes” nice!
You can download the free printable here. Just cut the cards apart and leave them somewhere your children (and your husband!) will see them on a regular basis. I added them to a brass tray on our dining room table along with some pens and pencils. You might have to encourage them in the beginning, but after a few days my girls were eager to find new things to be thankful for. I’m betting you’ll have to make more copies before Thanksgiving ever gets here!
Now find somewhere fun to collect your notes between now and then. I love this glass pumpkin that has been in my family for years – I can remember my mom using this every fall since I was a little girl. No fall themed jars on hand? Any jar or large bowl (or a piece of twine and some clothespins) will do! Don’t peek, these notes will be perfect to read over breakfast on Thanksgiving morning.
I couldn’t resist sharing one more of our favorite finds in the jar so far (I’ve got to stop peeking!). Sophie has taken Beemer’s death the hardest and we’ve had many a morning filled with tears over the last month. I can promise you that this little card will never be misplaced!
