Holidays have always been difficult: the shopping, the traveling, the cooking, and about one hundred other things to do! But then add the loss of a loved one? That just makes the holidays incredibly painful, almost impossible to think about having them. But you must. Your loved one would want you to continue with your life and life’s celebrations. Instead, honor your loved one and remember why they were so special to you. Here are some suggestions:
- Make or buy special decorations for your holiday tree or wreath. You can buy small picture frames and hang them with ribbons
- Buy their favorite perfume or cologne that they wore and give them as gifts
- Give a keepsake or knickknack that belonged to your loved one as a gift
- Make a donation to their favorite charity in their memory
- Create a photobook filled with their pictures to give out as gifts
- Buy a live Christmas tree and plant it in their memory after the holidays
- Do you have a special recipe written by your loved one? You can have it transferred to a tea towel or create a recipe book and give them as gifts
- If being home is just too painful, volunteer to work in a food kitchen. Busy hands always clears the mind
Is this Christmas going to be easy? Probably not, but being together and remembering the love that created your family will help. If you are having a hard time, remember to raise your hand and ask for help from your family, a therapist or attend a support group. Grief is a journey that we all must take but you don’t have to do it alone, especially during the holidays.