The Gratitude Jar (2013 Edition)

"While a basic arts & crafts project, it’s the simplicity of this DIY (Do It Yourself) that makes it beautiful. Each person writes down what they are grateful for in their everyday lives on a slip of paper (it can even be a repurposed scrap!) and drops it into a jar. If you’re inspired to doodle or your tot can’t yet read/write, then you can draw pictures instead. And, of course, there is no limit to how many slips everyone can share because there is much to be thankful for no matter how big or small—parents, spouses, siblings, friends, children, chocolate, jobs, health, happiness, hobbies, toy cars, movies, pets, pie, sports, sunshine….

You can create your gratitude jar and fill it all year... Not to mention, scientific research has found that the practice of focusing on gratitude a few minutes each day tends to positively influence attitudes, increase happiness and joy, foster relationships, encourage compassion, and improve overall well-being including immunity.

So, grab your mason jars (or bowls or boxes), recycled paper, and pens and celebrate life’s blessings!"

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Effervescent Ethel chose the accessories/color scheme for this simple craft project. For her first slip of paper,  EE wanted to draw a picture and add a sticker. The first gratitude note reads: Mommy (aka Mad Ellen) taught me how to play Chinese Checkers. It was signed by Effervescent Ethel and I also dated the slip of paper including the day of the week. 

Total cost approximately: US$3.00.

Materials used (and are only suggestions):

-Mason jar

-self-adhesive letters

-self-adhesive pink "gem" dots

-narrow grosgrain ribbon

-scrapbook paper (for the lid) <<--don't forget the glue

-construction paper in various colors (for the slips of paper)

-(optional) stickers to decorate the slips of paper  

All materials minus the stickers were purchased at JoAnns' Fabrics.

Many online sources including: http://blog.honest.com/the-gratitude-jar-giving-thanks-each-day/#.UORgFYnjlQY

or type in 'Gratitude Jar' on Google: https://www.google.com/#hl=en&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=Gratitude+Jar&oq=Gratitude+Jar&gs_l=hp.3..0l4.944.2503.0.2700.13.13.0.0.0.0.166.1435.5j8.13.0.les%3Bcqn%2Cfixedpos%3Dfalse%2Cboost_normal%3D40%2Cboost_high%3D40%2Ccconf%3D1-2%2Cmin_length%3D2%2Crate_low%3D0-035%2Crate_high%3D0-035%2Csecond_pass%3Dfalse%2Cignore_bad_origquery%3Dtrue%2Conetoken%3Dfalse..0.0...1c.1.GhmcSog2lL8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.cGE&fp=b120f3e780b613e5&bpcl=40096503&biw=1283&bih=1222

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Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. 
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot. 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot. 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. 
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack. 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack. 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. 
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite. 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 
We burn up the city, we're really a fright. 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 

We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villians and knaves. 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs. 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 

We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads, 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads, 
Craft up me 'earties, yo ho. 
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.