Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to come together and show appreciation and thanks to God and to each other for all we have been blessed with. It’s easy to remember to be thankful for the “big” things that happen in our lives: a new car, house, job promotion—the list goes on and on. But what about the awesome “smaller” things that truly bless us and remind us of how much God cares for every small detail of our daily lives? The meal a friend brought over when you were sick, a birthday you celebrated, a new friend you made, or an inspirational book you read—things that really impacted you, but have been long since forgotten in the business of life. Here is a simple way of keeping track of those memories. It will remind you and your family of just how much you have been blessed, and will be a Thanksgiving tradition for years to come!

You will need:

  • A tree, either made or purchased (I got mine at a local craft store for $3.00!)
  • Tags, with strings attached
  • A pen
  • A small bucket or basket
  • Bows, buttons, or whatever you would like to use to decorate your tree

Throughout the year, keep the bucket or basket handy, in a drawer or cabinet, filled with blank hang tags and a pen. As a blessing comes along, fill out a tag and keep it in the bucket. Get your kids involved! Let them draw pictures of their special blessings. Purchase or make a tree that you can keep on display at Thanksgiving and decorate it if you like. Pick a day around Thanksgiving Day to sit down as a family and pull out your tags. Read them out loud to each other as you place them on your tree. Make it a special time to really thank the Lord for all He has done. Keep the tree out throughout the holiday season, for all to see how much the Lord loves us and cares for our needs. Refill your bucket with blank tags and start again for the next year.