Thanksgiving Day Family Gratitude Pumpkin

For several years, I have searched ways to teach my kids about gratitude and to always be thankful for everything we have.  This  year, I decided to start a new tradition to achieve this goal.  This year, we started a gratitude pumpkin. 

The idea is simple.  You buy a craft pumpkin and a sharpie marker.  Each day, from November first until the day before Thanksgiving Day, write down what each member of your family is thankful for.  We decided dinner would be a good time to discuss what each person is thankful for and write it on the pumpkin.  For the first time, the entire family was thinking about gratitude for the entire month instead of just the one day.  And the kids were thinking about what they would put on the pumpkin even a day or two ahead!  Each day was dedicated to filling up this pumpkin.  On Thanksgiving, instead of asking the family to come up with one item for which they are thankful, we will read the entire pumpkin. 

1. It created fun family time and helped focus discussions on appreciating big and small things. It served as a reminder to be thankful each day throughout the entire month of November.  It reduces the pressure of everyone trying to come up with one “thankful” item at Thanksgiving dinner.  And it created a fun dinner discussion each night.  We laughed because my youngest son consistently said he is thankful for his daddy…only his father….NOT ME!  LOL  It gave us quite a laugh.  I will keep my fingers crossed for next year! Maybe then he will be thankful for his mommy too???
2. It is a minimal fall decoration that also will also have sentimental value as we will be able to look back each year. The pumpkin is small and does not overwhelm any spaces.  It is a decorative piece that can sit on your breakfast table, coffee table, an end table, mantle, and many other places.  It takes no time to create.  There is nothing to do here except buy the pumpkin and the sharpie marker.  If you really want to get fancy, buy a metallic color sharpie (I may do that next year).  Very quick & easy.  If you are not crafty or simply do not have the time for crafting something else, this is perfect!

I hope you’ll try creating a Family Gratitude Pumpkin for your family!  Now, the question is how to do this for the other 11 months of the year?  Maybe a Thankful Tree for Christmas?? hmm…perhaps. I’ll let you know in December!

Please comment below.  I would love to hear if you tried this or if you have any other ideas!  Enjoy!