As we approach Thanksgiving and the launch of the Christmas holiday season, it is far too easy to get caught up in the preparation hustle and bustle and forget what made these holidays so special to us as kids. The real meaning of the Holiday can easily be lost when we focus on all the work instead of why we are gathering together.

Think back to your childhood Thanksgiving memories, remember how we were thankful just to be out of school, at home with our families while we counted down the hours until the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special?

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. – Cynthia Ozick

Like many of you, we are hosting our family this year for Thanksgiving. In planning our dinner party we are trying to blend the traditional fare with some of those happy childhood memories and a few updated crafty additions to ensure we all stay true to the meaning of Thanksgiving.

I think an easy way to integrate an exercise of gratitude into any Thanksgiving meal is to showcase why everyone is thankful.

I am using simple colorful leaf paper die cuts to capture my guests grateful sentiments. Once we are seated we will pass the bowl and take turns reading some of our thankful sentiments aloud.  These leaves might also make for a sweet keepsake or scrapbook page later.

And who knows, some of the answers may really surprise you!