Our Holiday Giving Tree: How You Can Make One Too!

I am constantly trying to find ways to keep my children grounded in a society that seems to thrive on excess. I have found myself throwing my hands up in the air when one of my kids complains for the umpteenth time that he doesn’t have enough [insert meaningless consumable item here] or that I’m so mean because I won’t get him [insert meaningless consumable item here].

I recently saw an example of a Thanksgiving tree, on which each leaf represented something for which to be thankful. Since I’m late to the game, and Thanksgiving is less than a week away, I thought “Why not do a giving tree for the holiday season?” I started researching random acts of kindness for kids (since they will need a little direction here!), and I found this great list of 100 acts of kindness for kids.

To make your own giving tree, just follow the steps below:

1. Roll out craft paper and trace the outline of your tree. I wanted to stick our tree on the pantry door, so I guesstimated the height (thankfully it was a good fit!).
2. Cut out your tree and branches.
3. Trace outlines of leaves on your scrapbook paper or construction paper. I had some left over scrapbook paper, and I liked the idea of different colors and patterns, so I just used what I had.
4. Cut out the leaves.
5. Print one random act of kindness from the list on each leaf.
6. Attach your giving tree to the wall or closet door using painter’s tape (this is important because you don’t want to take the paint off your doors or walls!)).
7. Attach your leaves to the tree. I used painter’s tape for this as well, so it wouldn’t rip off the messages on the back of the leaves!

 Boardwalk KFT3040765 Kraft Paper, 30 3M Painter’s Tape, Multi-Use, .94-Inch by 60-Yard K&Company Sheer Simplicity Designer Paper Pad, 12-Inch x 12-Inch, 60 Sheets, Green