THE GRATITUDE WREATH

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.

Materials: 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

Directions

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.
________________

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article: About the Authors: 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
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