Thanksgiving Tradition: Grateful Pig

This weekend we are going to get our Grateful Pig out to start our Thanksgiving gratitude tradition. But our old sparkly one might be replaced with a new and improved version! I found this darling Pilgrim Pig at Old Navy (in stores only, not online) and fell in love. If you are looking for a fun idea to give to grandchildren or a great new tradition to start, grab this cute Pilgrim Pig and counting your blessings together this November! 

 "GRATEFUL PIG" is just a piggy bank that was given to us by my mom a few years ago to keep track of our blessings. Most years he sits in a prominent place with scraps of paper and a pen next to him. Every time someone thinks of something they are grateful for, they write it down and drop it in. Then we read them all on Thanksgiving to remind us of the wonderful life we have been given.

Last year, we were on vacation over Thanksgiving, so my mom brought Grateful Pig and we all did it together for a few days then read them aloud on Thanksgiving. 

My kids love this tradition and love hearing what they are grateful for read aloud. They also love hearing what others are grateful for, especially when it involves them :). It makes for some pretty sweet moments together. You can choose to keep them anonymous or sign them (either way, the kids always give theirs away :). 

It was a really wonderful gift a few years ago. Here is a cute poem you can attach if you plan on gifting it to your own family or another family:

Meet your family member for November

His name is grateful pig.

All month long slip him notes of thanks

For things little or things big.

Think of all the people who help you

Be who you want to be,

And those who teach you every day

Or keep your country free.

Think of things you love to eat

And songs you love to sing,

Be specific, really think

And be surprised with each new thing.

Think of good friends, fun places

And homes that keep you warm

Think of Jesus Christ our Savior

To free you he was born.

Then stuff that little piggy

With every happy bit.

This month will be different,

And not because of what you get.

One a day or even more,

Filling him up is not a sin.

Then on Thanksgiving dump him out

And read how blessed you’ve been.