The Christmas season comes with many fond memories and special traditions. Those affected by the loss of a loved one will need extra support as they face the holidays.
It is so painful to embrace new traditions and experience old ones without those we love. It is also difficult to watch a friend or family member go through these waves of grief while also navigating the festivities of Christmas.
You want to communicate that you love your friend and that you care about this significant loss. But how can you practically help a grieving friend face the holiday season?
Over the last few years, I have learned a few simple things that have communicated love to me during a time of the year when loss feels even more profound.
Here are a few ideas of how you can support a grieving friend at Christmas:
- Make a donation in honor of the loved one
- Give a special Christmas ornament
- Run a race and dedicate it to the loved one
- Mention their loved one in Christmas cards
- Send a text on Christmas day acknowledging that you remember
- Give a gift to a family or child in need as a way to honor their loved one
- Give a stone or special item to place in their yard or garden
- Make an end-of-year donation to a non-profit or church in honor of their loved one
- Make a gift with the loved one’s handwriting or fingerprint
- Place a flower on the grave
- Send a small gift with their loved one’s name on it
- Text an encouraging song
- Donate a tree to be planted
- Call and pray for your friend a week before Christmas
- Send a special gift: a piece of jewelry, a small display from Willow Tree, or a decorative quote
- Text a photo or treasured memory
Some families like to save a seat at the table for their loved one. You could offer to do this ahead of time to see if this is something that would feel honoring to your friend. Be flexible as they navigate big emotions.
It is easy to feel you might make a mistake and hurt your grieving friend further. As a mom of child loss, I know that acknowledging my son means more to me than not mentioning him. Just say his name at some point and I’ll be so happy you included him. I’m guessing others swimming the waves of grief this holiday season will likely agree.
You don’t have to do the whole list. You can even come up with your own ideas. We want to know that we are not the only ones who remember and miss our loved one. Just do something and be sure to use their loved one’s name this Christmas.
One way to honor our son is through HUDSON’S CHRISTMAS STOCKING where we give to families with children in the hospital on Christmas day. https://amysylvestre.com/hudsons-heart/hudsons-christmas-stocking/
PS If you are the one grieving this holiday season, empower your family and friends by sharing what will be most helpful for you this year. What can they do to help remember your loved one in a way that will warm your heart? Speak up! Don’t grieve alone. Equip those around you to love you well this Christmas.
