Gratitude Wreath
by Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes
Bring a little bit of autumn indoors. Family and friends help
create this wreath by sharing what they are thankful for on brightly colored
leaves. Every member of the family can contribute to this beautiful wreath.
This is a great, concrete, visual way to put meaning back in the holidays
for children.
What You Need
18-inch diameter straw wreath
fall leaves
1 or 2 metallic paint pens
3 1/2-yards of 1/4-inch elastic
1 straight pin
1. Fill a large grocery sack with sturdy fall leaves.
2. As a base, use an 18-inch diameter straw wreath.
3. Wrap the wreath with the elastic. Start by securing one end of the
elastic to the top of the wreath with a long straight pin. Wrap the elastic
around the wreath at 3-inch intervals. The elastic should be snug against
the straw, but not too tight. Once you have gone all the way around the
wreath, tie the ends of the elastic together.
4. Using a paint pen on the leaves, have each member of the family write
down what they are most thankful for.
5. Starting at the top and working clockwise, tuck the stems of two or three
leaves into each band of elastic. Try to arrange the leaves so that no
elastic or straw shows. This wreath should take about 15 minutes to
construct. Hang the finished wreath on the front door and celebrate all of
your family's blessings.
We leave a basket of leaves near the door, and on Thanksgiving Day, all of
our guests add their blessings to our wreath.
About the Author:
Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes are the co-authors of
the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out
their website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit Together Parenting
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