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Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the blessings in our lives. A Thankful Tree is a simple yet powerful way to encourage gratitude — whether you’re hosting a big family dinner, organizing a classroom activity, or creating a quiet reflection corner at home.
What Is a Thankful Tree?
A Thankful Tree is a visual gratitude display where each “leaf” represents something you’re thankful for. You can place it in a frame, pin it to a corkboard, or even use it as a centerpiece during Thanksgiving dinner.
The concept is simple:
- Print the tree template and leaves.
- Write something you’re grateful for on each leaf.
- Attach the leaves to the tree — using thumbtacks, tape, or even glue.
By the end of the holiday, your tree becomes a colorful, heartfelt reminder of life’s blessings.
Why Use a Printable Thankful Tree?
- Encourages Meaningful Conversation: It’s more than decor — it’s a conversation starter. Guests will naturally share stories behind what they wrote.
- Great for All Ages: Kids can draw pictures on their leaves, while adults can write detailed notes.
- Budget-Friendly: Our printable is completely free — just sign up, print, and use.
- Seasonal Keepsake: You can save the leaves from year to year, building a gratitude time capsule.
Ways to Use Your Thankful Tree This Thanksgiving
- Dinner Table Centerpiece – Guests add leaves before or after the meal.
- Classroom Project – Students learn about gratitude while practicing fine motor skills.
- Family Night Activity – Add a few leaves each evening leading up to Thanksgiving.
- Office Gratitude Wall – Encourage coworkers to contribute their thanks.
Related: 30 Family Craft Night Ideas with Free Crafts Planner Printable
Printing Tips for the Best Results
- Use cardstock for durability.
- Print leaves on colored paper for extra vibrancy.
- If reusing, laminate the tree and leaves so you can write with dry-erase markers.
The beautiful Fall/ Autumn colors against the blue look wonderful. Let me share a closer look at our Thanksgiving craft.
Thanksgiving Tree Printable
We’ve created a beautiful, free Thankful Tree printable that you can download instantly. You’ll receive the file directly in your inbox, ready to print and enjoy.
1) What’s Included in the Free Download?
You’ll receive:
- Printable Tree Template – Designed for standard 8.5” x 11” printing.
- Printable Give Thanks – Designed in two sizes 6″ x 4″ and 7″ x 5″
- Printable Leaf Shapes – Blank in different shapes and sizes to choose from. Print and cut on blank paper for coloring or use colored cardstock paper. Write you message and pin.
- Instructions – Tips for printing, cutting, and displaying shared below.
- Mini Gratitude Prompts – To help spark ideas for what to write.
If you don’t see the email in a few minutes, check your spam or promotions folder.
2) Instructions:
1. To make this Thanksgiving decorative tree, start by printing the “Thankful Tree”.
2. Then cut some leaves for writing your thankful messages. I used the Fall colors orange, red and brown for cutting paper leaves with the scissors.
You can use a silhouette or online leaf template for cutting your leaves in many different shapes. I like this simple Fall leaves shape. Cut a few bigger and smaller leaves to give the tree a more natural look.
3. Using a metallic gel pen to write as you create your thanksgiving tree.
4. Stick the printable Thankful tree on the cork board that is covered with fabric for decor accent. We use thumbtacks to pin the thankful leaves on it as we countdown to Thanksgiving.
5. I also made a small framed “Give Thanks” printable to go along with the tree.
I hope you will love printing and using these free printables as much as we do!
Gratitude is more than a seasonal feeling — it’s a practice that can transform your perspective year-round. Our free Thankful Tree printable makes it easy to involve friends, family, and coworkers in this meaningful tradition.
Simply print your tree, and start adding your leaves of thanks. This Thanksgiving, make your gratitude visible.
You May Also Like:
20 Creative Thanksgiving Garlands and Banners
50 Thanksgiving Ideas Free Printables to Make Your Holiday Memorable
25 Best THANKSGIVING wreaths (DIY Fall wreath ideas)
25 Best Kids Turkey Crafts for Thanksgiving
You may also enjoy the Fall ideas and Thanksgiving Boards that are updated regularly with unique ideas.









Great tree! I love this idea, but I’m lazy and would probably cut out leaves with a punch!
Thanks Mary. I wish I had a punch, I was lazy first but then I cut. It wasn’t bad! 🙂
Loved your thankful tree idea Hani. Visiting you after long. Hope you and your family are doing welll!
Thanks Sonia. So happy to see you after a long time. 🙂
Love your thankful tree I am an elementary school teacher this would be great for the classroom what did you use to pin the leaves and where did you get them/
Thanks
Keri
Thanks Keri. I used thumbtacks I found at walmart for pinning the leaves I cutout from a paper.
Thanks so much for sharing your awesome printable and project at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy!
Congratulations – you are one of our Featured Guests at this week’s party! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thankful tree at The Pin Junkie. Your project was featured in a fall and Thanksgiving craft roundup.
Thanks for sharing your free printable at the Say G’Day linky party. I’ve just pinned this to the Say G’Day Saturday board.
Hope you have had a fabulous week!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
I’m curious how big your leaves are..thank you.
The leaves range in size from 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches.
Want to share this with my kids and husband, so we always remember what were thankful for on a weekly basis.:-)
Thank you.
What size are the leaves?
The leaves vary in size from 1 inch to 2.5 inches.