The holiday season is the perfect time to sprinkle a little extra gratitude into your days. This Christmas Gratitude Tree is a simple way to help kids celebrate what matters most.
With this free Christmas Gratitude Tree activity, kids can color and decorate their own tree with thankful thoughts. It’s a creative activity that encourages kindness and mindfulness while adding a holiday touch to your home or classroom.
I’ve enjoyed this meaningful holiday activity with my boys and hope you do with your kids, too.
Meaningful Christmas Gratitude Activity for Kids
As much as I love the holiday season (especially the decorations and baking yummy treats!), I know how easy it can be to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle. As a mom of five boys, there’s always something going on.
But more than anything, I want my boys to remember the real reason for the season and that it’s an important time of year to be thankful for all that we have.
Over the years, we’ve done all sorts of Christmas challenges (like random acts of kindness). And they’ve been such wonderful ways to spread joy.
Another favorite activity that’s become a sweet tradition is our Christmas Gratitude Tree. It’s such a simple yet meaningful way to slow down and reflect on what truly matters.
This printable activity makes it so easy (and fun!) to bring more thankfulness into your holiday season. You can use it as a Christmas Gratitude Tree. Or turn it into a cute DIY project by attaching the light bulbs to string or ribbon to create your own Christmas Lights Gratitude Garland. However you use it, it’s a special reminder to shine bright with gratitude this Christmas.
Suggested Supplies for This Christmas Gratitude Activity
To make this Christmas gratitude activity extra fun and simple, you don’t need much. Here’s what’s inside the free printable Christmas Gratitude Tree Printable Set:
- Christmas Gratitude Tree Page: Kids color the tree. Then, they decorate it with light bulbs representing what they’re thankful for.
- Printable Light Bulbs Sheet: Cut out and write or draw thankful thoughts inside each bulb. Attach them to the tree or hang them on string or ribbon for a glowing gratitude garland.
- Simple Prompts: Thoughtful and fun questions to spark gratitude and reflection
You’ll also want to have:
- Crayons, color pencils, or markers
- Scissors
- Tape, glue stick, or string or ribbon (if making the garland version)
How to Use Your Christmas Gratitude Tree
This activity is super easy to set up and so cool to do together. Plus, this Christmas Gratitude Tree is a beautiful way to slow down and reflect on the season.
Here are a few ideas on how you can enjoy it:
- Print your Christmas Gratitude Tree and light bulb pages. You can print one for each child or make one big family (or classroom) tree to fill together.
- Write or draw thankful thoughts inside the light bulbs. Younger kids can doodle while older kids can write what they’re grateful for.
- Cut out the bulbs and decorate your tree. Attach to the tree page with glue or tape. A variation is to put them on ribbon to make a Christmas Gratitude Lights Garland.
- Display your gratitude! Hang your finished tree or garland where everyone can see it. Such a lovely reminder of what matters most this season!
- Optional: Keep the gratitude glowing. Add a light bulb each day leading up to Christmas. You can use as a countdown calendar. Also, you can pair this activity with your Gratitude Journal for Kids Pack for even more thankful fun.
Why a Christmas Gratitude Tree Is So Powerful for Kids
The holidays are such a special time to slow down, reflect, and reconnect. This Christmas Gratitude Tree is a wonderful way to do just that. Beyond being a hands-on project, it’s a gentle and meaningful activity that helps kids build important life skills while creating happy memories.
Here are a few of the amazing benefits:
- Encourages reflection and thankfulness: Kids learn to notice and appreciate the little things (from cozy moments to big family traditions) to help them develop a positive outlook.
- Builds emotional awareness: Talking about gratitude helps children connect emotions with experiences and recognize what brings them joy, comfort, and peace.
- Strengthens communication skills: Writing or sharing their gratitude light bulbs encourages kids to express feelings and ideas in creative ways.
- Promotes creativity and calm: Coloring and decorating the bulbs and tree gives kids a chance to relax, focus, and enjoy screen-free time that still feels festive and fun.
Keep the Gratitude Growing and Glowing!
If you enjoy this Christmas Gratitude Tree, you’ll love keeping that thankful glow all year long! Practicing gratitude doesn’t have to stop when the holidays are over. In fact, it’s one of the best habits kids (and grown-ups!) can build.
My Gratitude Journal for Kids Pack makes it easy to keep those positive vibes shining bright. It’s has simple activities to help kids reflect, express emotions, and focus on what makes them happy.
This set includes two PDF printable pages. Please print as many as you need for your personal use, family, class, homeschool co-op, or community event. If you have a friend or co-worker who enjoys this sort of holiday fun, I ask that you please share this post with them.
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Celebrate the season with this free Christmas Gratitude Tree printable! It’s an easy and meaningful activity that helps kids reflect on what they’re thankful for while adding a cheerful holiday touch to your home or classroom.
