12.03.2010

our thankful tree

When I started my blog in February, one goal was to start some new family traditions. I'm not really a tradition type of mom; I'm more like a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of mom. Traditions involve planning, and well...you know me.

But when I ran across this idea on Naomi's blog, I just had to start this tradition for my family...the Thankful Tree! Next year we will do our Thankful Tree leading up to Thanksgiving, but I didn't want to miss a whole year so we're doing ours now.

Here's the before:
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(Thank you Pier 1 for making decorating virtually fool-proof).
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I had these grandiose visions of snapping pictures of little hands writing on cards, working hard, lost in thought, so many things to be thankful for.

The vision is always better than the reality, isn't it?

I did get a picture of the Tiny Tornado climbing up onto the table and nearly knocking over the tree, but that wasn't really what I was going for.
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Every year when it's time to take down the Thankful Tree, I'm going to save all the little cards and put them in an envelope with the year on it. I think it will be so fun to look back.

And here's the finished product...I love it!
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If you've done a blog post on any holiday traditions you love, please link me to it! I'm always looking for ideas! :-)

26 comments:

Karen said...

I love it - the cards, the tree & your creativity! So precious! Keep it up girl you are making good memories.

Warren Baldwin said...

Cool idea.

Family tradition for us: Night Before Christmas game. Maybe I'll do a story on it. wb

stacey said...

Oh that Naomi! Love her and love this idea too. Maybe if I'm on top of it I'll do it next year!

I'm also terrible at traditions but I'm really really trying hard this year to create some new ones with the kids. A few we've started...reading the Christmas story (via a cute children's book and when they are older straight from the Bible) before opening gifts, baking cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve Eve, and driving around looking at Christmas lights on that same night. We make popcorn for the kids to bring along in the swagger wagon and play Christmas music while we ooooh and aahhhh.

Keep sharing those traditions! Always trying to think of new ones.

Ashley Sisk said...

I'm so stealing this idea because I loved it when I saw it from Naomi and I love it even more now. I didn't realize you just started blogging in February...but I feel like we've known each other for a lifetime. So glad to meet my retirement neighbor so early in life. LOL

Aleasing said...

You continue to impress me every day of my life ^-^
ONLY GOD COULD LOVE YOU MORE:)

Unknown said...

You are just way too creative for me - WOW! Gorgeous centerpiece.

We have done several variations of the thankful tree the last three years. I share some of those ideas on our homeschool blog.

Every year at Christmas time we do a Bethlehem dinner - the children LOVE it and so do I. We all look forward to it and can't wait to hear the story of Jesus' birth on our special night. This year will be our daughter Lilly's 1st Christmas and dinner with a family. How exciting on so many levels.

Your photography is GORGEOUS! Beautiful job?
Is this with your new lens? I'm going to order the same one soon too! It has been on my wish list for a long time!

Hugs and love,
Jill

Ciera said...

That is so awesome! I have to do this! And then saving the cards and putting them in an envelope with the year on it?! Brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

Discovery School at First Baptist Heath said...

consider this stolen...

Brooke said...

What a lovely tree! I love how it turned out :D I wish I had something nifty ideas to pass along - but I am coming up blank. I guess I need to get my tooshie in gear and start some cool traditions too :D

Tracy said...

that's gorgeous. LOVE the idea. :) Maybe we'll do one next year. :)

Cherry said...

I love this Karli!! What a neat idea. :)

Naomi said...

Umm..extreme gorgeousness! Your tree turned out awesome! A bajillion times better than mine! Lol. So great and so are your photos of the tree! Perfection!

Kari said...

very cute...
XOXO

sharin said...

cute, cute tree Karli!

Some traditions we've carried on for eons--
-have Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve
-open one gift on Christmas Eve
(Note: it has to be a small one)
-after dinner on Christmas day go to the movies with tons of friends
-entertain carolers on Christmas Eve with cider and cookies
-light luminarias along the front fence and up the driveway
-and of course, take scads of pictures of it all. ;-)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea! And, your tree (and the photos of it) are gorgeous!! Taylor and I do have a couple holiday traditions, so maybe I will do a post on those. I will definitely be starting a new tradition with this tree idea!!

Natalie said...

What a wonderful and inspiring idea! love it!

cooperl788 said...

This is such a beautiful tradition! I love the tree itself too - gorgeous!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Oh... I *love* this idea! Definitely want to do this! What a beautiful tree you made. Are the gorgeous red berry sticks real? They are SO pretty... need to find me some of those! :)

Jodee said...

I love, love, love traditions! This turned out soooo cute! In fact, it looks like something straight out of Pottery Barn! I will be posting our Christmas chain and blessings bucket next week!

kitten said...

This is a great idea, maybe or little family can start this tradition too next year. :) Thanks for sharing.

Casey Martinez said...

Are you sure you didn't take those pictures out of a magazine??? How beautiful is that!!! Love it and thanks for the inspiration for next year!! You are so creative and the lighting in these shots is beautiful!

Anna said...

This is the prettiest thankful tree I've seen! Lovely job, and LOL at the Tiny Tornado adding her spark.

..and *WOW* on the flower shots--A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Ashley said...

What a great idea! I may file this away and copy you next year. :)

Anonymous said...

I love this. Gorgeous. I am stealing this idea. So pretty!

Unknown said...

That is so pretty - and such a great idea! :D

Sarah Andrews said...

Super sweet idea! I'm bad with traditions too.