Thanksgiving Craft Traditions

As part of my labor of love as the Craft Lady at MOPS, I've come up with a couple of meaningful ways to celebrate this season of thanks, and I thought I would share them with you. At the end I have also included a few Bible verses I find especially inspirational at this time of year.

NATURAL WONDERS

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

We worship God when we admire His creation by decorating with natural elements.

Our 6” nature vase uses 3' of ribbon, 16” of thread, pinecones, sprigs cut from a stem of dried flowers, a filled glass votive, 8 oz of small river rocks, and a few glass marbles for sparkle.

To create your own original nature vase, simply place a filled glass votive in a clear glass bowl and fill with natural elements. This could include potpourri, rocks, spanish moss, or shells. Just make sure any flammable materials stay clear of the candle!

GRATITUDE WREATH

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1

A gratitude wreath helps us remember what we are thankful for.

Start with a straw wreath, a box of straight pins, a few dozen silk fall leaves, about 5” big, and a metallic or sharpie writing marker.

Start by writing a verse about thankfulness on a leaf. Pin each leaf to the wreath. Hang wreath in a prominent place, such as the front door.

Keep a basket of leaves handy throughout the fall season. As guests visit your home, have each write something they are thankful for on a leaf, and add it to the wreath.

On Thanksgiving Day, have family members add their own thanks to the wreath, then spend some time together reading the verses and thanks out loud.

COVERED IN THANKS

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1

Purchase a white tablecloth for your Thanksgiving table, from Party Time or a restaurant supply store. Get a few permanent writing markers in different colors.

Break the ice by writing out a few favorite Bible verses in different locations on the tablecloth.

As guests sit down for your Thanksgiving meal together, have each one spend a few moments writing something they are thankful for on the tablecloth. Make sure they sign and date their entry.

In future years, repeat the process, taking time to read old entries and remember past visitors.

An alternate idea is to purchase white napkins and have guests write on their napkin. Or, scatter silk fall leaves around the table and offer guests the opportunity to write on a leaf.

• Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4
• Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1
• Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! Psalm 108:5
• Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything. Ephesians 5:19-20
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6