This is an edited re-post from last winter. I wanted to share it again for the many new folks as well as a reminder for those of you who read it last year. A simple tradition, the Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree transformed our holiday last year.

In my family, where deer hunting comes before all else, Thanksgiving could easily feel like an afterthought. But this year we gathered together and celebrated with intention and gratitude. It was a sincere celebration of family, love, and appreciation.

The new tradition we created this Thanksgiving was a Gratitude Tree. A friend mentioned that she was creating a Thanksgiving Tree on her holiday table this year. She explained the concept and with a little bit of Googling I found dozens of variations on the idea. We jumped on board, and I suspect we'll do it every year.

The concept is simple: create a "tree" on your holiday table with a branch, ornament stand, or small tree. Provide guests with paper leaves, pens and a simple question: What are your grateful for? Throughout the evening, guests quietly penned the important things in their lives on leaves and suspending them from the tree.