A couple of years ago my sister started searching for a perfect Thanksgiving countdown. She wanted one that was a big turkey with feathers that would get bigger through the season and be very kid friendly. I couldn’t really find anything like that, other than an amazing piece at Pottery Barn Kids, but it was $80 so we just sighed and said, “Oh well!” I finally had an idea for something like that which will be grand enough even for her, but I was getting a bit overwhelmed with everything that I have going on around here, so I returned the supplies to the store and decided to do something on a smaller scale that would still be fun and kid-friendly to teach my boy gratitude this year. I think it could also be used as a sort of countdown, but that’s not how my son decided to use it, and I decided to roll with it and do things his way. So, without further ado, here is our turkey gratitude jar!
I made this little turkey jar by cutting out a turkey shape on brown vinyl using my Cricut Expression. This turkey shape is from the Animal Kingdom cartridge (farm 2, layer 1). Of course, you could just cut out a pear shaped “turkey” with construction paper and decoupage it to the jar as well.
I used transfer paper to attach the turkey to the small mason jar that I found in the cupboard.
Finally, I added a beak and a wobble with some glitter glue.
If you are going to use this as a countdown then I would grab some feathers (I got mine at Michael’s) and put them in a small basket or another jar next to your turkey. Then each day you can discuss something for which you are grateful and add it to the jar. By Thanksgiving your turkey will have a fabulously full tail that will remind you of your blessings!
I told my four year old son that we were going to be adding one feather each night, but he requested that we go through and make a long list of our blessings and do EVERY feather EVERY night. Well, how could I say no to THAT?! We had a great time naming the things we were grateful for that day. Among other things, our list included our family, Jesus Christ, good food, our tv, being able to live with my dad in his big, warm house, snuggles, books, cookies, his new Dr. Seuss room (sneak peek on Instagram!), music, sleepovers, and Dr. Pepper (Mommy’s pick, which really made him giggle for some reason). I am so blessed. So very, very blessed.
I hope that you use this idea to celebrate your blessings as well. Another idea that we use each month to celebrate our blessings, which also serves as a family journal and time capsule of sorts, is Gratitude Hand Turkeys. Come see the details and read the sweet (warning: tear-jerking!) story behind the tradition HERE.
Happy Thanksgiving-month, everyone! I am grateful for YOU, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Your support on my blogging journey has been amazing and overwhelming.
If you enjoyed this post you may also enjoy these posts:
20 Activities to Teach Kids Gratitude
Make a Silly Turkey Placemat Using Fall Leaves
50+ Thanksgiving Crafts, Recipes, and Activities for Kids
For more great ideas from all over the web be sure to follow my Thanksgiving Pinterest board.
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This is such a great idea.
What a fun idea!! Super cute!
I love this! How sweet is Callum to want to do all of the feathers!!
The feathers are such a colorful addition! I’ll be featuring this on The Crafty Crow soon 🙂
Thank you!!