Holiday Rituals to Include Your Loved One
The holidays can be especially bittersweet for parents who have lost a child. While traditions bring warmth, joy, and togetherness, they can also magnify the ache of a missing presence. Many bereaved parents find comfort in creating special rituals to honour their child’s memory during the holiday season. These acts can serve as both an expression of love and a way to feel connected, making the season feel meaningful while keeping their child close in spirit.
If you’re looking for ways to honour your child’s memory this holiday season, here are some ideas that can add a sense of peace, purpose, and connection.
- Create a Memory Ornament or Decoration
Decorating a special ornament in your child’s memory can be a beautiful way to honour them each year. You could place a photo inside a clear ornament, write a favourite memory on it, or even use their favourite colours, symbols, or designs.
- Cook or Bake Their Favorite Dish
Cooking a dish your child loved or a recipe they enjoyed making with you can bring a comforting sense of closeness. Some parents bake cookies or cakes that remind them of their child and serve it as a part of the holiday meal, sharing stories or memories as they eat.
- Light a Memory Candle
Lighting a candle in your child’s memory during holiday dinners or family gatherings can be a simple but powerful ritual. As you light the candle, take a moment to share a favourite memory or something about your child that made you smile. The candle’s warm glow serves as a gentle reminder that their spirit is with you.
- Celebrate with Nature
If your child loved the outdoors, find a way to honour them in nature. Some families take a holiday hike or walk, dedicating the time to their child’s memory. You might bring a small item or biodegradable flower petals to leave in a special place as a symbol of your love.
- Make or Donate or Volunteer
In addition to making a donation in their name, you could start a small fundraising event or campaign for a cause that mattered to them. You could organize a toy or coat drive in their name, supporting families in need while honouring your child’s giving spirit.
- Have an Adventure in Their Honor
Plan a trip or special outing that captures the joy and love they brought into your life. This could be a trip to a new place, like a beach or a national park, or something experiential, like a holiday light show, musical, or even a visit to the zoo or aquarium if they loved animals. Taking time to immerse yourself in the wonder of a new environment can help rekindle the connection to their spirit, as you embrace feelings of joy that they inspired.
- Create a Vision Board or Affirmation Wall in Their Memory
A vision board cantered around their memory and your self-growth aspirations is a tangible way to honour them. Include photos, quotes, and affirmations that inspire you, and display it somewhere you’ll see daily. This can serve as a visual reminder of the ways they continue to influence your life positively.
- Participate in Therapy or Coaching Focused on Growth
Honouring your child by dedicating yourself to your mental health and emotional healing can be profound. Working with a coach on grief and self-growth can support your journey, and making a conscious effort to become a stronger, more self-aware person keeps their memory close.
- Attend Retreats or Workshops for Self-Development
Attending a retreat or workshop on personal growth, spirituality, or grief can be deeply healing. These experiences offer you a chance to reset, learn new perspectives, and meet others on similar journeys. Dedicating these transformative experiences to your child creates a path to healing in their honour.
Honouring Your Child’s Memory with Love and Intention
The holidays can be a time of both celebration and remembrance. By creating these small rituals, you allow your child’s presence to be part of your holiday traditions, keeping them close to your heart and connected to your family. These acts of remembrance can help ease some of the emotional weight of the season and provide a meaningful way to keep your child’s memory alive.
In our membership community, we understand the challenges of facing the holidays after loss. We offer support, live calls, and courses designed to help you process your grief and transform it into a journey of healing and awakening. If you’re ready to find new ways to honour your child while nurturing your own growth, our community is here to support you through each season and each step of the way. Together, we can create new traditions that hold space for both healing and connection, turning grief into a source of strength and love.