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5 Ways To Survive The First Holiday Without A Loved One

Losing a loved one is tough. You and your family can get through it together.

Teagan Thompson

Nov 20, 2018

UCLA

165

5 Ways To Survive The First Holiday Without A Loved One

Teagan Thompson

The holiday season is filled with joy, happiness and (the best part to me) your loved ones. Spending time with friends and family is what makes the holiday so great and special but what happens when a loved one is no longer there? They were the ones that always brought a certain dish for the holiday meal or even the one that held the whole family together. The first holiday without a loved one can be extremely tough and painful. But you and your family can get through it. Here are some things that can help.

1. Assign someone new to their trademarks

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This may feel like you're replacing them or being inconsiderate towards the importance that they held in your family but keeping their traditions alive also keeps their memory alive. Find that recipe they always made and either make it yourself or give it to someone who can. Make someone bring the movie or CD they would bring every year. Assign someone else to host if they always did. It helps to keep their legacy and memory going in their honor.

2. Put up a picture

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Put up a picture frame on the table, or somewhere visible of them. It could even be a couple. Seeing their face surrounded by the rest of the family is a great reminder that the family is still together, as a unit.

3. Share stories about them

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What was your favorite holiday memory of them? What was something about them that made you laugh or smile? Share those memories and stories with the family out loud. it's okay to tear up a little, but don't forget to also laugh and smile like they once made you.

4. Play a video or recording

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If you have a home video or a voicemail with their voice in it, play it out loud for the family. if other's don't want to watch or listening go somewhere to listen to it by yourself. Hearing their voice fill the room will make it feel as if they are there with you.

5. Love the people who are there

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Look around you at the people that are still physically there with you. Give them an extra hug on the way out, say "I love you" to whoever it applies to. Love those that are still there just a little harder, because you all shared love for that person that is no longer there. Keep the love going strong.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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5 Ways To Survive The First Holiday Without A Loved One

Losing a loved one is tough. You and your family can get through it together.

1. Assign someone new to their trademarks

2. Put up a picture

3. Share stories about them

4. Play a video or recording

5. Love the people who are there

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AKA, Christmas overload.

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1. Watch an R-rated Scary Movie in a Movie Theater

2. Buy a Lottery Ticket

3. Vote in an Election

4. Participate in a Run (or a Walk, Realistically) for Charity

5. Go on a Road Trip

6. Start a Savings Account

7. Get a Credit Card

8. Sign up for Spotify Premium

9. Go to a Club

10. Start a Meditation Routine

11. Go to a Yoga Class

12. Treat Myself to a Dinner for One

13. Volunteer for a Charity

14. Participate in a Research Study

15. Bake Something (That Ends Up Being Edible)

16. Go Skydiving

17. Be Called for Jury Duty

18. Figure Out What I Want to Do With my Life

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1."But what would happen if we all tried to be like Santa and learned to give as only he can give: of ourselves, our talents, our love and our hearts? Maybe we could all learn Santa's beautiful lesson and maybe there would finally be peace on Earth and good will toward men."

"Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

"If you won't use your heart, who cares if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose."

"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends."

"Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it."

"If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find a that love actually is all around."

"Sometimes things look good on paper, but lose their luster when you see how it affects real folks. I guess a healthy bottom line doesn't mean much if to get it, you have to hurt the ones you depend on."

"'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.'"

"Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to."

"There's room for everyone on the nice list."

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

1. Why are towels considered dirty when you get out of the shower clean?

2. Who closes the bus door once the bus driver gets off?

3. Why is there a "d" in "fridge" but not in "refrigerator"?

4. If you drop soap on the floor is the floor clean or the soap dirty?

5. Is the "S" or the "C" silent in the word "scent"?

6. Does expecting the unexpected make the unexpected the expected?

7. Would Lightning McQueen buy car insurance or life insurance?

8. Who put the alphabet in alphabetical order?

9. What color are mirrors?

10. If 2 mind readers read each other's minds whose mind are they really reading?

11. Is there a synonym for "synonym"?

12. If your shirt isn't tucked into your pants, are your pants tucked into your shirt?

13. Why is it called "quick sand" if you sink slowly in it?

14. If I try to fail, but succeed, which one did I do?

15. If Cinderella's shoe fit perfectly, why did it fall off?

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