Remembering Your Loved Ones This Christmas

For most people, Christmas is a time of joy and excitement. A time to get together with family and celebrate. But for some, it’s also a time of sadness. A time that makes us all too aware of a gap in the celebrations. An empty chair at the dinner table should be filled with a loved one who is no longer with us. Which is made all the worse if your loved one was taken too soon. We’re not going to pretend we can make Christmas an easy time. But we can help you remember your loved ones during the festive season in a healthy, positive way.

Personalised Ornaments

This is perhaps the most common way to remember a loved one, in part because it is no simple. Just find a unique ornament that sums up your memories of a loved one, and hand it on your Christmas tree. It doesn’t have to be expensive or special – just something that makes you think of them and smile. Maybe they loved dogs, so you find an ornament of their favourite dog breed. If you can’t find anything you like, or want to make it a nice family activity you could make one instead. You can get ornament kits or even use salt dough to make something special.

Picnic With Them

If it’s possible, pack yourself a picnic and visit their grave or scatter site. You can do this alone, or you could make it a family outing. When you’re there, do whatever feels comfortable for you. Whether that’s sitting quietly and thinking about them, praying, or just having a chat with them and telling them about your year. If you’re allowed, lay a wreath for the festive season. This can be a lovely tradition or just something you do once – it’s completely up to you.

Watch their Favourite Film

Or listen to their favourite Christmas song. It’s a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit and bring back fond memories of them. It’s also a great way to relax and take a pause during a very hectic time of year. Get into your Christmas pyjamas, snuggle up and have some family time in their memory.

Make A Memory Garland

Making a paper chain, and then turning it into a paper garland, is an easy project the whole family can get involved with. It can also be a really cathartic way to remember someone special who is no longer with us. As you make each link of the chain, take the time to write a memory of your loved one, and then thread it onto the chain. Twist the finished chains together to make a garland and hang it somewhere in your home. Then every year when you unbox the Christmas decorations you can read the memories and enjoy them all over again.

Give To A Charity

If there is a charitable cause that means a lot to your loved one, or did goo for them, then you can make a donation in their memory. It doesn’t have to be a big donation, but everything helps charities like these run, especially small local charities.

At Jill’s Fundraising Journey we take time each Christmas to remember Jill. Her glowing personality and positivity, and how dedicated she was to spreading awareness. It’s the driving force behind everything we do. If you have a loved one who has been affected by cancer, please consider donating to Jills’ Fundraising Journey. We’re a small charity, but we can make a big difference by providing free holidays to families affected by cancer.

We hoper you have a happy and restful Christmas surrounded by your loved ones both in flesh and in spirit.