Gratitude tree: stir up the wind and let the leaves write their name
Gratitude tree is set in an autumn landscape at golden hour: a low sun, rolling hills, a red barn and silo, geese flying in a V, hay bales and pumpkins. In front stands a large maple full of leaves, next to a harvest table with a pumpkin pie, apples and candles in jars. As the recipient moves a finger over the tree, it rustles and leaves break loose wherever the finger passes, swirling away and settling on the ground. After enough wind, a big gust arrives and hundreds of leaves rise into the sky to spell out the recipient's name.
Thanksgiving is a good excuse to tell someone you're grateful for them. Send this to family you can't sit at the table with this year, a friend abroad, a colleague, or anyone who had your back recently. The idea is clear even to someone who has never celebrated it: their name is written with the tree's leaves and the table lights up. Share the link by WhatsApp or by copying it, and the recipient opens it in their phone's browser without installing anything.
What does the recipient experience?
- The screen says the sender 'wants to celebrate Thanksgiving with you'. The recipient turns the sound on and taps 'Let's begin'.
- Their name is written out with the line 'The gratitude tree is waiting for you'.
- The recipient sweeps a finger (or the mouse) back and forth over the tree's crown. The tree rustles and bends in the wind, and leaves tear loose and blow away wherever the finger passes; a simple tap makes a small breeze. After five or six swipes it says 'A little more…'.
- A big gust lifts the leaves, the camera tilts up to the sky and hundreds of leaves spell out the recipient's name. The string of bulbs over the table lights up one by one, then the candles in the jars, and a folk-style tune written for this template plays.
- After a moment the wind scatters the name and the leaves drift down. 'Happy Thanksgiving' appears with the recipient's name, followed by the sender's message on a card; the recipient can send an emoji back with 'Say thanks'.
What can you choose?
The sender enters both names and an optional message and picks the leaf colour: red maple, golden, or mixed (autumn shades from red to yellow). The choice colours both the tree's crown and the leaves that write the name in the sky. If no message is written, a ready-made line ending 'I'm so grateful to have you in my life' is shown.
When to send it
Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November in the US and the second Monday of October in Canada, and this template is Wishwiff's card for the day. Send it that week to relatives you won't see at the table or to anyone you want to thank. There's no hold-to-play button here: stirring the wind takes a few swipes across the tree, which for most people is a matter of seconds.
Common questions
Can a long name be written in leaves?
Yes, the name is turned into points for the leaves and sized to fit the sky. Very long names come out smaller, so a short name or nickname reads most clearly.
Where on the screen should I swipe?
Swiping over the leafy crown works best, because leaves break off where your finger passes. Swiping elsewhere still stirs the wind, just more slowly.
Is it odd to send this to someone who doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving?
Not at all. Saying thank you makes sense anywhere. If they've never celebrated it, a line in your message about why you chose this card helps.
Do I need to sign up to send it?
No. You type the names and an optional message, get a link and send it; there is no account to create. They open it in their phone's browser without installing anything.