November Sharing Time
Basket of Blessings
by Shauna Gibby

This sharing time will remind children of their many blessings and help them think of ways to show their gratitude.

Preparation: Obtain a basket or bowl. Obtain several seasonal items to fill the basket such as colorful leaves, apples, or gourds. On each item place a note with a blessing word (see suggested list below). Add a scripture reference or song title to the notes for blessings with an accompanying song or scripture. Place the items in a sack. Place the basket on a table at the front of the room.

Presentation: Show the empty basket to the children. Tell them you are going to fill it with blessings. Ask a child to come pick an item from the sack to add to the basket. Have them read what blessing that item represents. If it has an accompanying scripture, have the children read it aloud together. If it has an accompanying song, have the children sing that song.

Then tell the children that before they can add that blessing to the basket, they need to think of something they can DO to show gratitude for that blessing. (Examples: Bishop—tell him thank you, take him cookies, obey the commandments; Family—be kind, share, help each other with chores.) Once they have thought of at least one way to show their gratitude, add the item to the basket and have another child pick a new item out of the sack. Continue until the basket is full of blessings.

Suggested Blessings: Home Family (song—“Families Can Be Together Forever,” CS 188) Restoration of the Gospel Jesus Christ (scripture—John 3:16) Food (song—“For Health and Strength,” CS 21) Clothing Priesthood Apostles and Prophets (scripture—Amos 3:7) Bishop Scriptures (song—“Scripture Power,” 2006 CSMP)

Show the children how full and beautiful their “blessing basket” is now. Bear testimony to the children that all these blessings and many others come from the Lord and we can show our thankfulness by doing the things He wants us to.

Sing additional songs to reinforce the lesson, such as “Children All Over the World,” CS 16; “I Have Two Ears,” CS 269; “I Thank Thee Dear Father,” CS 7; and “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” CS 228.