By Sanjea Taylor, Contributing Writer
As Thanksgiving is just days away, many students are thinking about how to make this Thanksgiving an unforgettable experience. One of the best ways students can do so is by making DIY projects, adding a personal touch to this special celebration.
There are so many different DIY Projects students can make this year to really enjoy the Thanksgiving experience. Whether you will be spending Thanksgiving on campus or with friends and family, here are two DIY projects you can work on to show your Thanksgiving spirit.
Kick off your first DIY project with a “Gratitude Jar.” Grab a jar and fill it with little notes about things you’re thankful for, all decorated with fun designs and doodles. It’s a creative way to keep track of the good stuff in life!
Gratitude Jars allow people to really express what they are grateful for and are a good tool to have, especially on days when you are feeling down. These jars will surely brighten your spirit on gloomy days.
To make these jars you will need six things: a large jar, various art supplies like ribbons, glitter, even photos, scissors, writing utensils, glue, and paper (colored or plain).
First, you can decorate the jar with either paint, ribbons (by wrapping them around the lid) or even colorful paper by placing it on the lid.
Another way to decorate your jar is with glitter, stickers, colored paper, or whatever you would like. Decorate it however you like to make it fun and festive.
Next, you would take the paper and write down something you are grateful for. You would then fold the paper and place it inside the jar. You can toss in several notes at once, or add a new one each day, filling the jar with something you’re grateful for.
When you are done, close the jar with the lid and that’s it! Your gratitude jar is complete.
Paris Williams, a freshman medical humanities pre-med major, shared her thoughts on this fun DIY project. Williams shared that she thinks gratitude jars are a really fun way to show thankfulness.
“I feel like we know what Thanksgiving is, and we know it’s all about expressing gratitude, but we never really exercise gratitude,” said Williams. “I feel like the jars are really beneficial because it takes time out to really put thought into it. And then when you have a full jar, it shows you’re thankful for a lot of things.”
Another fun DIY project you can work on is “painted pumpkins.” These are pumpkins you paint with various colors, styles, and even messages or quotes, all to make these pumpkins exciting and fun.
To make these colorful decorations, you will need just a few tools; Paint, paintbrushes, pumpkins (either real or decorative), and any other fun decorations like glitter, masking tape, etc.
The steps when making painted pumpkins may be very simple, depending on the style you will be making. First, you would take your paintbrush and dip it into various painting colors you maylike.
You would then take the paintbrush and paint over the pumpkin. Depending on the style you are choosing, you can use masking tape and add various colors, write quotes and messages, or you can sprinkle glitter over your pumpkin and make it sparkle.
Regarding painted pumpkins, Williams was able to share her thoughts on why she enjoyed doing this DIY activity.
“I’ve actually done one of those pumpkins before, and it was a really good exercise, because in the moment, I was feeling happy,” said William as she explained this experience helped her express a multitude of feelings she had bottled up inside, so it was a good way for her to let it out.
Getting involved in art crafts and handmade projects are a great way to relax and connect with our loved ones, mainly during the holiday season. You can do these projects all from the comfort of your home or dorm, helping you get into the Thanksgiving Spirit.
