FREE Thanksgiving Printable: Practice Gratitude
This post may contain affiliate links which won't change your price but will share some commission. Read more here.Use this simple FREE Thanksgiving printable to help you and your family practice gratitude no matter the circumstances!
Does anyone else need to make an about face with their attitude/perspective this year?
The last couple of years have been filled with sickness (an HIV/AIDS diagnosis), a divorce and learning how to navigate this season with grace despite deep betrayal.
Yet God has been faithful through each trial and held me when my own strength failed. I’m a big believer in practicing gratitude even when life is messy and uncertain.
Practicing gratitude doesn’t necessarily come easy. It’s called a “practice” for that precise reason. A daily commitment to counting blessings causes our heart and mind to turn towards the positive and not dwell on the negative.
Before the divorce our family blessing jar was one of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions. It was our way of reconnecting with our roots and continuing cherished family traditions even when facing storms.
Yet with the divorce everything changed. For those of you who have experienced divorce or loss you know how life changing it can be.
Do I miss our traditions and have grieved them over time? Yes. Have we begun to create new ones and still enjoy time spent with family? Yes to that, too. And it’s hard. But life can still be sweet and filled with blessings that take your breath away.
I’m always reminded of the ways God has taken the good and bad times and turned them into family memories, a tangible picture of God’s love for us.
In an effort to continue the blessing theme I created a FREE Thanksgiving printable focusing on the practice of gratitude. I’ve also listed different ways you can use these printable Thanksgiving ideas to bring your family and friends closer.
And since I love Thanksgiving decor and a beautiful table filled with pumpkins and simple fall decor you’ll get to see a slice of an easy place setting with little crafting involved!
Materials:
(I’ve included some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
Baby’s breath
Greenery
Ribbon
Wire cutters
Glue gun
Cardstock
Instructions:
Step 1. When setting a holiday table, think about using things you already have, combined with dinnerware you may only pull out for that special occasion.
I used my mother’s vintage china and crystal with Thanksgiving placemats that are merely a pretty brown vinyl material. Everyday silverware? Check! Don’t worry about matching perfectly!
I added in log candle holders with my fancy china and it all worked together beautifully!
Step 2. Add a Thanksgiving printable to encourage all your guests to participate.
My “I am grateful for” printable is perfectly sized when printed two per 8 ½ x 11 sheet of cardstock.
Step 3. Fancy up the printable by adding artificial greenery.
I added some artificial greenery and baby’s breath, tied together with a simple ribbon and hot glued to the cardstock.
The table looks lovely, while also creating an atmosphere of thankfulness.
Step 4. Don’t worry so much!
If you’re the one hosting there’s always so much to do! Try to have a fun thanksgiving and not to stress over the menu, dessert or creating a perfect meal. It’s all about the people you share it with!
Step 5. Set the example for your family by going first.
It’s not always easy to go first in creating family traditions. Even if the people you love can’t tell you the importance of simple activities, believe it!
Ways to use these free Thanksgiving printables
- Use them as a place setting on your Thanksgiving table. Have your guests fill out the worksheet before or after dinner. Then set aside time to read them out loud together.
- You could also use the free printables and have tons of fun by exchanging them and trying to figure out who wrote which blessing.
- This is a fun activity to get the kids involved so write down their answers on the place cards as well.
FAQs about gratitude
Thanksgiving Printable
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Baby's breath
- 1 Greenery
- 1 Ribbon
- 1 pair Wire cutters
- 1 Glue gun
- 1 Cardstock paper
Instructions
- When setting a holiday table, think about using things you already have, combined with dinnerware you may only pull out for that special occasion.
- Add a Thanksgiving printable to encourage all your guests to participate.
- Fancy up the printable by adding artificial greenery.
- Don’t worry so much!
- Set the example for your family by going first.
This is very useful printable. thanks for sharing your lovely family holiday story. I love holidays with families its the best time the year
Thank you, Maria! It’s such a great practice year round!
This is a lovely idea. xo Laura
Thanks, Laura!
Thank you Marty for sharing your life with us. It is inspiring to hear how you’ve coped. Your love and faith truly are inspiring!
Thanks so much, Leslie. God has taught me so much during seasons of want and seasons of plenty. I’m so glad I could be an encouragement!
What a great idea, as hard as this year has been we still have lots to be grateful for.
Thank you for sharing, Marty. It’s always fun to see in to your family life. And to be taught lessons of gratitude. Thanks for the printable. Perfection!
Marty this is beautiful. Your words are and inspiring. We have soooo much to be grateful for and this year Thanksgiving should mean even more to us than ever?
Thanks so much, Deana. You are always such an encouragement to me!
Thanks so much for the beautiful printable Marty and a glimpse of your lovely family. There’s so much to be thankful for if we just take a moment to recognize it <3
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Michelle. We ALL have many things to be grateful for even in the midst of trials!
If ever there was a year to practice gratitude, this would be a good year to start. Thanks for sharing, and passing on, your traditions Marty!