Updated 2018
With Thanksgiving arriving so quickly, we decided to revive a favorite tradition from last year and introduce a small new one. Last November we made a simple thrift-store glass jar—picked up for under a dollar—and turned it into our family’s “Thanks Jar.” It was an easy, low-cost Thanksgiving craft that added a meaningful daily ritual to the month.
We etched the jar using an inexpensive glass etching cream and a homemade tape stencil to spell out a simple message—“Thanks” or “I’m thankful.” The supplies are minimal: an inexpensive jar, etching cream, a small brush, and painter’s tape or contact paper to cut a stencil. The result is a pretty little keepsake that looks handmade but polished.
Once the jar was finished, we used it as a gratitude container for the month of November. Every day each of us wrote a short note on a small card describing something we were thankful for and dropped it into the jar. We made sure not to peek—saving the big reveal for the last day of the month, when we opened the jar and read all the notes together. It was a simple ritual, but surprisingly joyful and reflective.
Filling the jar each day felt almost like opening a small present when we finally read the notes. We saved the stack of cards, tied them with a ribbon, and wrote the year on the bundle so we can look back on each year’s memories. Over time those little cards become a family archive of things that mattered in different seasons of life.
This year we’re doing the Thanks Jar again, and we also created a second tradition for relatives who can’t travel to see us: a printed “I’m thankful for you” card. The idea is to send a short, heartfelt card that lists reasons we appreciate someone, plus a second blank card for them to fill out and pass along. It’s an easy way to create a ripple of gratitude that reaches people who might otherwise feel left out during the holidays.
John put together a clean, printable layout with two cards per page and a simple instruction note to explain how to pass the blank card along. The printed page is compact and designed to minimize waste when printed on cardstock. You can cut along the guidelines, fold, or tuck the cards into envelopes for mailing. We like including one completed card and one blank card so the recipient can forward the kindness to someone else, continuing the chain of thankfulness.
The instruction card we include explains the concept briefly and encourages each recipient to fill out the blank card and send it to a friend or family member. Because the design prints two small cards plus the instruction on one sheet, it’s economical and quick to prepare. These small gestures—notes of appreciation and a shared tradition—help keep long-distance relatives connected during the season.
Printing tips: use sturdy cardstock for a quality feel, set your printer to the correct paper size and color settings, and trim with a craft knife or scissors for clean edges. If you prefer, print on recycled paper for a more eco-friendly approach. For young children, pre-cut cards and have them draw or dictate what they’re thankful for—those imperfect notes become the most treasured pieces.
After preparing the cards and the jar, don’t forget the fun parts of the season: a bowl of leftover Halloween candy, a little early turkey tasting, or simply taking fifteen minutes to read through the stack of gratitude notes together. The act of pausing and naming what we appreciate—whether small moments or big blessings—creates a meaningful pause in a busy month.
We’re grateful for readers and friends who join us in these little traditions. If you want to create your own version, print a few cards, start a jar, or encourage a gratitude chain with family and neighbors—small, repeatable acts like these are what make the season memorable.
Want More Thanksgiving Crafts And Traditions?
If you enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving with handmade touches, consider these ideas to expand your family rituals:
- A DIY glass-etched Thanks Jar—personalize a thrift-store jar with etching cream and a tape stencil
- A Thanksgiving gratitude chalkboard display—invite guests to write what they’re thankful for throughout the day
- Documenting your child’s first handwriting in a Thanks Jar—keep yearly notes to watch how they change over time
Update: We also keep a running list of favorite holiday décor and budget-friendly finds to help make your season cozy and festive—many items are under $15.