Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. As seasons change we get a taste of cooler weather while still enjoying the warmth of the sun, we sit back with a warm cup of cider as we watch the breeze take off with more and more leaves off the trees, and we can relish the changing colors, the migrating birds, and all that is changing around us.

This year, the holidays are ever more complex. Enjoying large gatherings of family and friends to count our blessings together is not so well advised. While most years, Thanksgiving is a time we gather together for great feasts surrounded by great company, this year, the times of the holidays can be ever more challenging and possibly even disheartening. We are here to say, let’s make the most of it!

Thanksgiving, as its name suggests is all about giving thanks. This year, why not try and have a conversation about the things we have to be thankful for while creating a beautiful work of art together. Whether to decorate your walls or to send to a loved one you just can’t physically be with this year. As you work on this craft, look around you with your child and count your blessings - is your warm house protecting you from the harsh weather outdoors? Can you smell that wonderful soup cooking on the stovetop? Did you enjoy spending time together raking leaves and doing chores? Perhaps you are thankful that this year, you have a great excuse to avoid hearing Uncle Dan and Aunt Betty argue over politics yet again? Or simply that you were able to get enough toilet paper at the supermarket?! There is so much to be thankful for, we just have to open our eyes and remember that “happiness” looks different for each and every one of us.

Step 1: Choose the colors and prepare materials:

For this project, choosing the colors is an important first step.

As in the poem “Thanksgiving Colors”: Orange is a pumpkin, Yellow is the corn. Brown is the turkey with stuffing to adorn. Red are the cranberries, Green are the beans. Five delicious colors, In a feast of my dreams. - Author Unknown. — As in the poem “Thanksgiving Colors”:
Orange is a pumpkin,
Yellow is the corn.
Brown is the turkey with stuffing to adorn.
Red are the cranberries,
Green are the beans.
Five delicious colors,
In a feast of my dreams.
- Author Unknown.

Materials:

Canvas ( I like to use canvas because we can easily hang it later on, and coloring the background is one of my 4 y/o’s favorite things to do!)
Acrylic paint and brushes for the background Non-woven fabric such as felt (construction paper can be used as an alternative)
Scissors
Hot-glue gun (or school glue, if using construction paper in place of fabric)
Pompom or other decorations (optional)
Access to the hands of the family member to trace

Step 2: Prepare the background

Paint the background in your desired color if you are using a canvas, let dry. In the image below you can see that we chose to use a blend of dark and light shades of green.

If you are using construction paper, choose the background-color.