Remembering Loved Ones During the Holidays

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For most, the holiday season is a joyful, uplifting time of year filled with love, laughter and holiday cheer.  For those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, the holidays often don’t have the same sparkle and Christmas can be a constant reminder of the loss of their loved one.    

Whether you have recently suffered the loss of a loved one or are simply missing his or her presence, there are special ways to include them at Christmas and throughout the holidays. 

Here are different ways to honour your loved one, their life and legacy this holiday season... 

• Purchase or make your own personalized 'in memory of' at Christmas ornament with your loved one’s name or photo on it to commemorate your loved one.  Gather the family together and share memories of your loved one while you pick the perfect spot to hang the ornament on the Christmas tree.​
• Remembering loved ones at Christmas is simple to do by hanging stockings with their names on them.  On Christmas Eve, have your family members fill the stockings with cards and letters to or about your loved ones.  You can all take turns reading the memories out loud on Christmas Day.  This is sure to become a beautiful and meaningful family tradition.
• Dedicate a small Christmas tree to your loved one and decorate it with photos, notes, and special ‘in memory of’ at Christmas ornament.
• At your place of worship, light candles in your loved one’s name or remember him or her in prayer. 
• Set up a memorial table in your home for remembering loved ones.  When friends and family come over for Christmas dinner, ask them to bring a small memento to place on the memory table that reminds them of someone special that has passed away. 
• Set a place for your loved one at the Christmas dinner table.  
• Prepare your loved one’s favourite dish to add to the Christmas feast. 
• If your loved one was a baker, or enjoyed cookies, bake his or her favourite holiday treat with your family.  These can be the cookies that are left out for Santa…
• Dedicate some time before you and your family start eating Christmas dinner for remembering loved ones.  You and your guests can take turns toasting them and sharing special memories. 
• Send a holiday card to someone that was special to your loved one, for example, an old friend that too is missing him or her during the holidays.
• Wrap a keepsake that belonged to your loved one and give it as a gift to another grieving family member.
• Make a scrapbook celebrating your loved one's life and share it with friends and family.
• During the holiday season, surround yourself with people that you love and who also loved the person you lost.
• Singing your loved one’s favourite Christmas carol with your family on Christmas Eve or while carolling.  If you play a musical instrument, learn to play the song and have your family sing along. 
• Create a Christmas music playlist full of your loved one’s favourite holiday songs. Have the music playing in the background during your family dinner.
• Start a new tradition during the holidays where you and your family take part in your loved one’s favourite hobby.  For example, if he or she loved board games, have a games night with family and friends in his or her memory.
• Visit your loved one’s resting place and leave a Christmas wreath.
• Plant a memorial tree and dedicate it to your loved one.  You can then decorate the outdoor tree each Christmas in their memory.   

Do you and your family have special ‘in memory of’ Christmas traditions?  If you do, please share them in the comments below.
 
Shauna Domalain is a Transformational Medium, Intuitive Life Strategist and Guide. She lives in Calgary, Canada with her family and fur baby Midnight. Visit her website for more information: www.livealifeyoulove.org.