Write a Thanksgiving Proclamation!

Thanksgiving has been around for a long time, and so have Thanksgiving proclamations. Starting with the first national Thanksgiving proclamations issued by the Continental Congress between 1777 and 1784, these proclamations were specifically a statement of gratitude towards God for the many blessings received, and a request for further divine favor. Still in the midst of the War of Independence, Congress asked that God would "smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties," and called on Americans to set aside a day (then designated to be in December) to cease normal recreational activities for solemn Thanksgiving and praise.

Fast forward a few years to the first presidential Thanksgiving proclamation, made by George Washington in 1789. With the War ended but still fresh in mind, Washington asked that all Americans take Thanksgiving to give God "our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation."

Lincoln, in the midst of Civil War, focused his 1863 proclamation on giving God thanks for victorious battles and the overall preservation of order and harmony. He added, "I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."

All other presidents who have issued Thanksgiving proclamations have followed the same basic theme – expressions of thankfulness for benefits and blessings enjoyed.

Helping your child write his own "Thanksgiving Proclamation" – basically a statement saying he is thankful for the many benefits in his life – can help him not only gain a better grasp of the spirit of the day, but also develop more of an attitude of gratitude. With a few simple supplies you can even turn this into a fun and creative activity by making a traditional-looking proclamation.

What You Need:

• regular white paper
• tea or coffee
• a pan for soaking the paper
• calligraphy pen or special marker
• matches or a lighter (optional)
• candle (optional)

1. Make a list. For a young child, help him or her think up a list of the many things she has to be thankful for – for example a warm and cozy house to live in, mom and/or dad, loving relatives, siblings, friends, books to read, plenty to eat, snow (or rain, or sun) to play in, toys to play with, pets. You get the idea – get detailed and go over the list together. An older child can write his or her own list, but may still need help brainstorming. Encourage him to think beyond himself (his iPod may be at the top of the list but here's your chance to help him think a little more deeply).
2. Make “old” paper. Make some weak tea or coffee. Take a sheet of white paper and crumple it up really well, then dunk it in the tea until it's all wet. Take the paper out and lay it flat until dry. For a burnt-edge look, light a match and carefully burn the edges of the paper to give it some extra flair.
3. Write the proclamation. A calligraphy pen would be great here in keeping with the historic theme, but any marker that is special to your child would work. Have your child sign the proclamation to make it official, and note the location and date underneath the signature.
4. You can also add an official seal to your child's proclamation under the signature by melting a bit of candle wax and letting it drip onto the paper, then etching your child's initials into it as it cools and hardens.

Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful time for kids to pull their list out and share it with family or friends. Not only will it help them to share in the spirit of the day, but won't Aunt Sophie be touched to see that she made little Maggie's list of things to be thankful for?