Thanksgiving is right around the corner. 30 days to be exact.
While I do my best to be grateful year-round and instill values of gratitude, appreciation and giving back with our boys daily; it’s not always easy.
image courtesy of Pottery Barn
I came across this Giving Tree at Pottery Barn Kids and fell in love. To be honest, at first I thought “Why pay $70 when I can make this myself!” Then, I did a quick reality check.
Why yes, I can make this Giving Tree… but where oh where would I manage to find time for such a crafty project before New Years Eve or next Thanksgiving for that matter? Reality sunk in, I caved and I bought it.
You really don’t need this and could use any number of other creative options like a bucket, glass vase or just a plain envelope to collect your thoughts. It all serves the same purpose and in the end it’s the thoughts that count the most, not how pretty it looks. Yet, for me in the end, I figured that if I didn’t buy it and hang it up this whole idea would be just that; an idea that never got executed.
So, starting tonight we’ll talk about what we’re grateful for and I’ll write our thoughts on note cards (provided courtesy of PB) and place them in the designated numbered leaf for that day.
30 Days from today, we’ll read each of our thoughts on gratitude as we share our Thanksgiving meal and celebrate the holiday together as a family.
Cheers to a new tradition and a 30 day gratitude challenge.
* UPDATE: I reached out yesterday to Pottery Barn Kids since so many of you have indicated that you could not find the Giving Tree. I’ve been informed that they are officially SOLD OUT. Sorry folks…
GREY MATTER LIFE 
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I am grateful for my family, friends, a wonderful career, and a spiritual adventure during which I learned to love …. myself and others.
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that’s an awesome idea. maybe instead of a tree it could be a post every single day of what i’m thankful for until Thanksgiving… hm. we’ll see lol.
I’m going to try do a post a day about what I’m thankful for as well. Thanks for the idea!
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Lovely thankyou!
a blessing idea in this more egoistic world. Thanks
Thanks for the reminder. I’m a firm believer that the basis of happiness is gratitude.
Once I tried to thank my husband for one specific thing every night when we went to bed. He was confused at first, answering me with a “humph!” but this ritual had an amazing effect on our relationship over time….not sure why I stopped. Guess it’s time to start again.
Pricey, yes. But what a cool thing to have/do. My niece would love to make something like that. Good times ahead.
WOW, this is amazing, what a great post!! And what a wonderful idea. Yeah it’s kinda pricey, but what your going to get out of it in the end is PRICELESS!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Joseph Palotas
http://www.artsinwonderland.com
What a beautiful thought! Quite pricey, but I can completely understand you bought it rather than attempting to make your own… besides having to buy all the materials could cost a pretty penny too… this is very inspiring…
Thank you for your comment. I struggled with buying it, since I rarely ever make these types of purchases at is was expensive. While I know I could totally do it at no cost with the same effect, at least my splurge can be used for years to come (how I sold it to myself). Best to you, enjoy your day and thanks for visiting Grey Matter Life!
In Arabic there is a phrase الحمد لله (Al hamdulillah) wich basically mean. Praise be to God. It is God in the general sense. Though we only believe in one God, the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mary (peace be upon them.)
The reason I brought this up is because I started using the phrase, in my mind, whenever I was grateful for something in my life. Whether it be because my prayers had been answered or simply when realizing that it is an amazing blessing to be alive each morning when I could have just as easily not woken up. Plus, let’s not forget about being healthy with four limbs and two eyes.. etc. these are things that, when they occur to me, I say alhumdulillah.
I think adding alhumdulillah or just praise be to God, in our minds will make gratitude a part of your daily life, it’s worked for me.
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This is what I needed to see today! Glad I decided to check out “fresh pressed”. This is an awesome idea, and couldn’t we all use sometime to reflect and think about the things that are “good”; there is so much negative around us…I know it’s kind of a late start, but I am going to try to do something similar with my family. I am not very creative, and I can’t afford the PB Tree — but I sure can afford a colorful notebook and some colorful pens to make a “Gratitude Journal” for my family.
I try my best to do it every evening before going to sleep! however not always 100% of the time.
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I like this idea a lot! I think I’m going to establish something similar for christmas this year. Thanks for the idea!
I think I will be infected by your sense of positivism. Glad to have come across this blog.
My friend has this one a month before she has her kids thank God for something/someone special and the kids keep note through out the year.
for advent she has a gift each day for them
That’s really great. My family and I used to do something similar to this, but we’ve stopped in recent years. It’s strange that we don’t say what we’re thankful for as much when there is so much to be happy about.
I’ve actually started a blog that’s similar to what you’re doing here. For one year, I’m going to try and post something every day that brings joy to my life. We’ll see how it goes. Hope your project goes well!
http://marlowesnymph.wordpress.com/
Thats awesome.
Maybe I should try this! I am very ungratefull. My husband suprised me with a new microwave last night and I thre a fit because I did not get to choose it. His mother chose it. Today I feel like a bitch for being so ungratefull!! I hate myself when I am like this! Hope this challenge will change my ungratefull heart!
Wonderful.
Wonderful thought. Just when we are getting sucked into a whirpool of sorts… here is some feel good and do good thought. Thanks. May God Bless You
Think I might do this for my blog starting tomorrow. Always good to give thanks!
What a great post! I am big on gratitude, I actually keep a gratitude journal. I wish that more people, especially in our country can recognize all the beauty and abundance that we possess!
You really got me in a holiday spirit! Can’t wait for Thanksgiving!
hemm…
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Nice post.Thank you for reminding me of the little things in life that we take for granted. Think I also start this project.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, sometimes we do forget to be grateful and to say a simple “thank you” for all the blessings and even misfortunes that we have. This is a very cool idea. I’ll make sure to make something like this at home. ^_^
I am up for the Challenge!!! I will start right here and now – I am grateful for the strength of others! take care-Amy
http://transplantedx3.wordpress.com
I want to make one! What is the Pottery Barn tree made of? I love this idea–we were planning something similar for Advent, but this is a great one for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
The tree is all heavy felt and the numbers are fabric. Hope this helps and best wishes! Cheers, Jennifer
Congrats on being fresch pressed. I love your gratitude tree. We have a family time every night before going to bed, and tomorrow night, instead of reading – we are going to start a gratitude journal. Thanks for sharing.
writing your thoughts is like solidifying them. It makes you not to forget them often. the tree (innovative art work) is a great way of doing that
Such a great idea! Love it! I used to do a gratitude journal (a la Oprah!), but this is such a new, fresh idea.
this is wonderful! what a great idea! thank you for sharing this!
http://spicyt.wordpress.com
What a great idea! You’ve inspired me to do something similar next month. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jennifer,
I like the idea and am going to try it myself at home but probably not publicly on my own blog. Will you be posting what you are grateful for, or is it a personal journey or reflection for you and your family. Kris
Kris, Thanks for the comment! I will not be posting our gratitude list as a whole. If there are entertaining ones that come up that a good tale arises out of, then of course I’ll share. But I expect that by in large they will remain personal. Best wishes to you and your family as well.
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I started a thankful photo journal in September and it has honestly changed my attitude about everything. Check it out!
http://www.krissieisthankful.com
I love the idea of reviewing on Thanksgiving. Beautiful!
I love the idea of a thankful photo blog! Thank you for your comment!
after my last post, i needed to read this! thanks so much for giving me something to think and smile about tonight! much appreciated!
Thanks for the reminder of appreciation and gratitude. There is abundance in everything.
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Cool idea. Teaching gratitude to kids can be tough.
Wrote this post in honor of World Gratitude Day a while back: http://wp.me/pV7CB-7o.
Congrats on Pressed.
Chase McFadden
http://SomeSpeciesEatTheirYoung.com
That is an absolutely beautiful idea. NZ doesn’t do thanksgiving, but I think I’m going to make a gratitude tree anyway.
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What a great idea! I’m grateful you posted it!
I sincere thank you to each of you who commented and shared in the dialogue today. Your responses have been overwhelming and I wish each of you many blessings. Cheers- Jennifer