No matter what time of year you loose a loved one, it is not easy. You are so accustomed to having them at every celebration and get together. Holidays are one of the toughest times of year to go through without having your loved one here to celebrate them with you.
For most, the holidays is when it really hits them that their loved one is no longer here. The chair they used to sit in at Thanksgiving is either left empty or occupied by someone else. Their familiar laughter and voice is absent from the air. There are no gifts under the tree with their name on it. It can hit you all at once.
To keep a loved one's memory alive throughout the holiday season, here are some things you could do.
1. Keep a chair empty at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
This is their chair. You can place pictures or other items in their memory.
2. Say a prayer at dinner.
Have all of your family gather and say a prayer in memory of your loved ones. If your family doesn't pray, follow your family traditions or just have a moment of silence.
3. Dedicate a tree at a local park in their memory.
Contact your local park and see if they have Christmas trees that you can purchase in memory of your loved one. You can decorate it how your loved one would like it, or with things they loved.
4. Visit their grave.
Visiting a loved one's grave can be so relieving. You get to connect with them on a whole different level. Bring flowers or something else to leave with them.
5. Make a special ornament for your tree.
Gather items to make a homemade ornament in memory of them to put on your tree. You can have one specially made, or you can create your own.
6. Create a memory board.
Create a board filled with memories of your loved ones. You can include pictures, cards, or anything that reminds you of your loved one. Ask your family to contribute and display it during holiday dinners.
7. Buy a candle or light in their memory.
Purchase a candle or electric light that you can keep lit. It signifies the presence of your loved one with you in your mind and heart.
8. Make their favorite dish.
For a holiday dinner, make their favorite dish and make sure everyone knows its in memory of them.
9. Wrap your favorite keepsake of your loved one and give it to another grieving family member.
If you have a favorite item of your loved one, wrap it up and pass it onto another family member who is struggling through the grieving process.
10. Make a scrapbook to display.
Ask your family to gather pictures or memories of your loved one for you to make a scrapbook in memory of them. You can display the scrapbook at a dinner or party for others to look through and remember.
Although your loved one may not be physically with you, they are always in your heart. Try and remember the good times you had with them and carry that with you.
