It may be the “most wonderful time of the year” for many people around the globe. But for some, the winter months intensify feelings of grief and loss. If you know someone who’s lost a loved one, they probably need your love and support more than ever during the holiday season. But, what types of things are appropriate to give someone who’s mourning? Here are some heartfelt sympathy gifts for the seasons when grief feels the strongest.
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Why Seasonal Changes Can Intensify Grief
Seasonal changes can intensify grief because they symbolize the end of a time period. As long summer days morph into the shorter, colder days of fall, it can remind grieving individuals of tough life transitions. The transition from fall to winter can be especially painful because special events can trigger memories of loved ones who are no longer around to celebrate. That’s why so many people feel increasing sadness and nostalgia around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
Comfort Gift Ideas for Someone Who’s Grieving
If you know of someone who’s recently experienced loss, this holiday season will probably be challenging for them. You shouldn’t feel guilty about celebrating with your family because someone else is hurting. However, making the effort to send a sympathy care package or other thoughtful gift can help someone who’s grieving feel remembered and comforted. From sympathy gift baskets to a guided grief journal, here are some comfort gift ideas for those struggling with seasonal grief.
Ready-to-Eat Meal Delivery
Grief can sap a person’s energy and cause them to feel chronically fatigued. It’s not unusual for someone who’s lost a loved one to temporarily stop cooking meals. This can lead to additional fatigue and potentially malnourishment. That’s why ready-to-eat meals are some of the best sympathy gift ideas. To maximize the comfort factor of your gift, send satisfying and nostalgic foods like homestyle soup with delicious bread rolls.
Your Presence
It may sound cliché, but your presence is more meaningful than any present you could give to someone who’s suffering. The holidays can get pretty busy, but do your best to reserve time to spend with a friend who’s wrestling with sadness. You could invite them to a holiday party or to an intimate dinner at your home if they prefer not to be social. The gift of your company may be just what they need to experience a bit of Christmas cheer.
Remembrance Gifts
Remembrance gifts can be especially meaningful around the holidays. They can help grieving friends feel like their loved one is close by. You might create a personalized ornament with a picture of your friend and their loved one. You could also give them a custom teddy bear made out of one of their departed loved one’s shirts. To avoid crossing a line, check with your friend before creating a remembrance gift to make sure they’re OK with it.
Comfort Items
During the chilliest months of the year, grief tends to feel particularly sharp and cold. You can warm a loved one’s body and heart with gifts of comfort items like fuzzy robes, soft pajamas, or cozy slippers. Some people also find weighted blankets to be exceptionally comforting on cold winter nights. Curling up under a weighted blanket mimics the sensation of being hugged or gently held by a loved one. The pressure from a weighted blanket also activates the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress, lower heart rate, and promote calmness.
Tickets to Nearby Events
Sometimes, the best way to kick depression to the curb is to get out of the house and do something fun. It’s important to respect boundaries and avoid pushing someone who’s grieving to fill their lives with social events when they’re not ready. However, it’s also important to recognize and respond appropriately to indications that a loved one may be seriously depressed. If you’re worried about them self-isolating too much, invite them to come with you to a nearby event you think they’ll like. Ideas include craft fairs, comedy shows, live plays, or new movie releases.
Books on Grief and Healing
Many people feel blindsided by the different cycles of grief. They may think something’s wrong with them if they’re fine one day and falling apart the next. Giving a friend one or more books on grief and healing can help them understand themselves and know what to expect. It can also help them avoid being too hard on themselves if they don’t recover as quickly as they think they “should.” Finally, reading books on grief can also help individuals navigate the often-confusing cycles of grief and learn how to help themselves heal.
A Guided Grief Journal
Bottling feelings inside isn’t good for anyone, but it’s especially harmful during periods of grief. If you know someone who has a hard time talking about what they’re going through, consider giving them a guided grief journal. Grief journals include gentle prompts that encourage self-expression and reflection. They can help facilitate the healing process and make it easier to move on in the absence of a loved one.
Conclusion
Seasonal grief can feel harsh and overwhelming, especially if you don’t have adequate support to help you get through. That’s why it’s so important to pay close attention and reach out in love to those who may be suffering this winter. Your gifts of comfort and support may help someone who’s grieving feel a little merrier and brighter this holiday season.