Reaching out for the Holidays

Do you know a neighbor, friend or even church member who has lost a loved one some time during this year? It seems as we get older it becomes more often that we know them.
Christmas is one of the hardest times for those who have lost a loved one. It almost tops the anniversary date of their death, birthdays and other events. Christmas has always been about family and being together. The loss that is felt at this time of year is deeper and heavier then one can imagine.

This year, reach out to someone who could use a little Christmas cheer. Invite them over for dinner or take them out to lunch. Let them talk about their loved one without feeling rushed. Give them the gift of time. It's just as difficult to take a few minutes in the rush and hustle of Christmas but it will be a lasting gift of time that can never be taken away.
If you know a widow or widower, single mom or just a lonely grandma, bring them over to enjoy the season with you. It's what Christmas means to many and it will mean the world to the person who otherwise would have been alone.

Celebrating the Holidays without your Loved One

This month has been one of the hardest so far as I deal with the passing of my father. The holidays are fast approaching and I just don't feel much like celebrating.
Have you felt like this? It is normal, but it doesn't make it easy.

Here is an article that helps you understand that the pain is normal, but that you can turn that pain into a new tradition that will honor your loved ones memory at Christmas time and throughout the year.

Read it here at Planet Gift Baskets where you can send a sympathy gift basket any time of year.

Holidays and Grief

Heading to a grief support group was not my idea but my friends. I didn't want to go, I didn't want to have to deal with all the emotions. Grief is such a private thing. However, I went with her.
The director introduced us, I sat silent. While people talked, I kept longing to hear the words that would bring me comfort. The meeting was over, the director finished with her usual speech about everyone grieving differently, but I knew most of that.
In the parking lot that night I began to sob. My friend, compassionate and sincere, stood beside me with her arm on my shoulder. I'm not sure she spoke a word, words were not needed. It was just her being there that meant so much. I was not alone.

Later as she drove me home I started to talk about the upcoming holidays and how hard it would be. Remembering all the good memories just tore at my heart. Knowing that I wasn't able to spend the last holidays with my loved one pulled at my heart. The harder I tried to remember our last holiday together, the more foggy my memory became. And then I told her those words I was waiting to hear from the support group. "It will get better, the holidays will get easier" I told her no one said it. Everyone should me sympathy, but no one told me it would get easier.
My friend, wise beyond her years stopped in front of my house. She turned to me and put her arm on my shoulder again. Her words did not bring me comfort this time. "It is not going to get easier, you will always hold these memories in your heart and they will come up when you least expect it." Oh, the pain in my heart at those words. Her next sentence did give me some relief. "I will be here for you, and we can remember together every holiday if you like."
The importance of that simple comment has stayed with me for several years now. Yes, the holidays have changed for me, we have new traditions, new memories, but all the old ones are still with me. My heart aches at my loss, but I always know my friend is right there when I need her. She seems to call right when I'm at my lowest, she has sent me cards that seem to know what day to arrive, she has even showed up to take me out to coffee when I didn't even know I needed the break.

If there is one lesson I have learned from this part of my life, it is the constant love and support of friends who stay by your side, each day, each week and each moment that you need them. Friends who love you enough to remember with you and remember you during the holidays.

If you have a friend or family member who has lost a loved one, why not take a few minutes to drop a card in the mail, make that phone call or just show up to take them out for dinner or coffee. I promise, it will be exactly what the need.

A Guide to Grief : HospiceNet.Org

Grief is the normal process of reacting to the loss. Grief reactions may be felt in response to physical losses (for example, a death) or in response to symbolic or social losses (for example, divorce or loss of a job). Each type of loss means the person has had something taken away. As a family goes through a cancer illness, many losses are experienced, and each triggers its own grief reaction. Grief may be experienced as a mental, physical, social, or emotional reaction. Mental reactions can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness, and despair. Physical reactions can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, physical problems, or illness. Social reactions can include feelings about taking care of others in the family, seeing family or friends, or returning to work.

To read the rest of this article head over to HospiceNet.Org.

The information on their website is helpful for anyone who is suffering a loss. The death of a spouse, parent or child can be life changing, and grief comes in so many forms. Understanding and being able to identify your stages of grief can in itself be a step towards healing. Hospice was a wonderful help to our family and their website is full of information to help all those involved.

Thank you to HospiceNet.Org for writing this article.

How to Handle Gift Requests at Funerals

The family has asked for charitable donations in lieu of gifts. Can I send flowers or a sympathy gift basket anyway?

Yes you can. The family is trying to let people know that we don’t want you to spend money on flowers that will only be enjoyed for awhile and that instead we would like your money to do more good for others in our loved ones name. It does not mean they would turn them away or think less of you, it just means they are trying to be practical and change a difficult time into some good. If you want to send a gift or flowers by all means do it. It will cheer them to know they are thought of and it will be welcomed. If you do make a charitable donation a note saying what charity you donated to is more than acceptable. You do not need to note the amount you sent.

Remembering the anniversary of a death.

It has been a year since my friends husband has died, should I let her know I’m thinking of her or would that bring up too many wounds?

Yes you should call or come over, it is going to be a difficult day whether anyone calls them or not. Having a friend who remembers will go a long way in easing the pain of the day. It doesn’t take much to show you have remembered their loved one, and yet it can mean the world to the person who has lived the loss daily for a year. It shows them that their loved one has lived on in the hearts of friends and family and that the memory has not faded or gone. Time does heal, time does lessen the pain, however that first anniversary is hard. By just remembering them with a simple gesture you can ease their pain tenfold.

The Importance of a Sympathy Card

An interview recently turned up this thought provoking look at how a simple sympathy card could really make a difference in the life of someone who is grieving.

Read the article here.

Helping your Child Deal with Grief

Helping Children Deal With Grief means you must also work at accepting your own feelings about grief. It is not an easy road, but realizing that we are grief differently, understanding that grief can show itself in many different forms will help us to accept it. 

Adults and children respond to that grief differently. Younger children may view the death as temporary or reversible. They do not grasp the finality of death. Because children view death differently than adults they should never be forced to attend a funeral if they are scared to go. Let them deal with the death on their own terms such as drawing a picture, writing a letter or making a scrapbook.

Remember, children may simply be grieving because they see you grieving. Accept where they are, encourage them to explore feelings, and be honest about your own. Like everything, grief is a process. There will be good days and bad. There will be easy days and difficult. Understanding that you are grieving and it is acceptable will help you to face it head on.

If grief ever becomes so overwhelming that you can not function for days at a time, consider seeing a grief counselor to help you. There is no shame in seeking help. Think of it as a gift to yourself and your children as you pass your healing on to them.

Thrust into a care giving situation does not mean you don't need support and help. This video from the CRFoundation will help you understand how you can support the caregiver and how the caregiver can get support.

Preparing Children for Surgery

I have some wonderful friends who have a little boy with a heart defect. He has had several open heart surgeries. I've been blessed to watch how they help him understand all the tubes and wires, doctors and nurses and the unfamiliar surroundings.
He is 5 years old and this will be his 7th surgery. That is a lot for a little one. Building a sense of control into his life is key. For weeks ahead of time they "play" doctor and listen to each others hearts. Getting him familiar with the masks and the doctors tools.
A good set of Fisher price doctors tools and bag helps them to play these simple games which actually are preparing him for the real doctor. His parents do their best to keep happy and play with him to keep his mind off things.
The biggest thing they have reminded me of is that children are very aware with how comfortable or uncomfortable the parents are around the doctor and machines. If you are relaxed your child will naturally follow your lead. It may be hard to hold it together some times in front of the child, but doing your best to smile and stay calm is the best way to help your child do the same.

Showing Kindness During This Back To School Season

Mom's usually love shopping with their children for the back to school days. Trying on outfits, getting school supplies, a fun lunch just the girls and maybe even getting that hair cut and pedicure together.
Maybe your children are all grown up but you know of a single dad whose wife has passed away. If you have the little extra to give why not take their son or daughter out for a back to school shopping trip. It doesn't have to cost a fortune to give of your time to make a child feel extra special.
If it's the single mom who has a child at home her finances might be extra tight. Offer to take them both out school shopping or give them a few gift cards to the local store to purchase a few items as well as a gift card for lunch out and even a hair cut.
These simple gifts will go a long way and help a child have a wonderful memory to share of back to school shopping. And it will help out the single parent in many ways.

Respecting the Wishes of the Deceased

There comes a time when we have to discuss with our parents or loved ones their wishes for burial. I considered it a great honor to hold their final wishes in my heart. Tragedies happen all to often and not only are we not given the chance to say goodbye, but we are sometimes left wondering what kind of service, burial or final resting place they would have wanted.
It's difficult to discuss those wishes with those we love but knowing that the last greatest gift you can give them is to honor their requests brings comfort to a broken heart.
Recently we discussed my father's requests for services and burial. He has asked that no public services are held and that his remains are cremated and spread somewhere he enjoyed as a child. While they may not be what I would want for him, these are his wishes and as his daughter I feel it's my duty to honor him this way.
In order to properly respect all the wishes of your love one, store all the papers and directives in one place. It is likely they have an advanced directive, make sure they have filled out exactly what they want medically. Secondly, if they have a preference as to what funeral home they want attending to their body make sure you have the contact information. Depending on burial or cremation make sure you understand where they want to be laid to rest. Many times they may have a spouse or other family cemetery they want to buried in. Note any material processions they want buried with them. Finally have a list of poems, songs or letters they want read at their service.
Store all these papers in a labeled envelope in a file cabinet. Update as needed. This will allow you and your loved one peace of mind and one last thing they need to concern themselves with in their last days.

Sympathy and Social Media

Recently while watching a movie with my family I glanced over facebook on my blackberry. It was at that moment that I saw a post that choked me up. A friend of mine had passed away suddenly the night before. Shocked I ran to the computer and pulled up facebook and her profile to see if this was a joke or true. What I found was touching. She had indeed passed away but the expressions of all her friends as they posted on her wall with memories and prayers was comforting. Her facebook page had become an online memorial service. Friends comforting each other with sweet stories, posts to her saying how much they will miss her. Pictures shared by her friends and family so that all could witness her life. Prayers and comforting words for the family she left behind and a sense of being able to say goodbye.
While I'm not sure facebook is the way I want to find out when someone has died, this social media outlet has had a healing effect for her family as well as for her friends. I've appreciated all the posts and pictures, songs and poems people have shared. Today I will attend her Memorial Service, something a week ago I would not have even considered. I feel prepared to walk in knowing that there are so many people who loved her.

Holly Davis was 35 years old when she passed away. She will be missed.

Expressing Your Sympathy When The Boss Dies

Sympathy Gift Baskets

How does one express sympathy to the family of your boss when they pass away? Many times the employees do not have a close relationship to the boss, yet the untimely passing leaves a huge gap that is not easily filled.
The first thing to do is respect the wishes of the immediate family. If you have been invited to the memorial service it is polite to attend. Many times in larger corporations representatives from each department or branch are asked to attend. In this case one person should come to represent the group and could bring a gift or card signed by each member they are representing.
If you have fond memories of the person it is also acceptable to send a card with the representative for the family expressing your sympathy and your memories.
No one enjoys going to funerals, but when it is requested that employees attend going to show the family your support is important. While the person may have just been your boss, he or she is also someones close family member and seeing supporters does bring a small level of comfort.

Sympathy Charms

About a year ago I came across these unique sympathy charms. This is a beautiful way to give a sympathy gift or keepsake to a friend or family member. These charms caught my eye because of the detail that can be seen and the precious memories that can be forever etched in silver or gold.

These gifts are perfect for children who have lost a grandparent, parent or friend. A beautiful gift for a widow who has lost her spouse.

A beautiful memorial piece that will be cherished for many years and generations to come.

Grieving from Afar.

Offering your sympathy and condolences when a family member of a friend or an acquaintance passes away in another state or country is a natural act of love and empathy. Letting he or she know that you are there for them is often times all that is needed to show you care. For very close friends and acquaintances some choose to send a gift of support such as a sympathy gift basket or a contribution of flowers for the services. But what do you do when a family member or friend that you share a special friendship or bond with passes away and you find yourself living in another location far away and circumstances are such that you are not able to travel to attend the funeral services? Many find themselves in this agonizing situation with obstacles such as work, family obligations and other commitments that interfere with their ability to attend the funeral.

Fortunately for those who find themselves in this situation there is now a solution that is readily available, easy to set up, and a blessing for many. Online funerals are a direct result of modern technology and the information super highway that keeps us all connected no matter where our location or what our situation.

Many funeral homes are now offering this service. The family of the departed may choose to offer this service and find it acceptable but it is also wise to check with the clergyman who will officiate the ceremony as they sometimes may consider this to be inappropriate. If such a service is acceptable the family can begin to make the necessary arrangements and notifications of the day and time of the service. If you will be attending an online funeral you will want to pay particular attention to the necessary time zones so that you do not find yourself missing the service due the hourly difference in the time zones.

Once the services are ready to get underway you will be required to log in to the memorial home's company website and tune into the live web cast. There you will be able to observe the service just as if you were sitting in the audience and in actual attendance. This funeral option is an ever evolving service that will very soon allow you to interact live in real time with those in attendance. With such real time technology one might be able to personally offer condolences, support, or even give a eulogy for the deceased! Whatever the situation those who find themselves unable to attend a funeral will be ever grateful for this advanced and very loving alternative to show they care.

Please enjoy the informative and brief video that highlights the many benefits on online funeral planning or attendance.

Patriot Guards also Known as Operation Patriotic Shield

I was listening to the radio station this morning when the local news told of a story of the Operation Patriotic Shield. I was intrigued and listened.
I was aware of the protests that have been happening at military funerals. While they saddened me deeply, I wasn't sure what I could do to help. This is where Operation Patriotic Shield comes in. Normal every day people like you and I come in with flags and posters thanking the family for the service and sacrifice of their loved one. These people, everyday citizens, line the funeral route to overwhelm the protesters. It's kind of like a human shield of honor.
Stephanie Williams of the Kansas City Examiner wrote an amazing article that shows how important this is.

If your interested in knowing more or participating in a local ceremony check out the Political Chips website or Operation Payback. Both sites are updated often. There is also a facebook group called Operation Patriotic Shield that you can friend.

Take Initiative

When someone we know is experiencing grief we don't always know exactly what we should do. Do we let them take the lead and call us? Do we send a card and offer help, but let them take initiative? What is the right thing to do, and for how long?
First thing, be the one who takes the initiative. Your friend is grieving and her memory may be very short at this time. Don't expect her to remember who said they would help when a card was sent. Call from time to time to check up on your friend and continue to offer your help. Be specific with errands you think you could run for her that would help. Drop off a dinner, don't wait to be asked. Most times people will not ask, so here is a great time to just take the initiative and assume it will be appreciated. To make it convenient put it in a throw away container, mark and date it and offer to put it in the freezer for her.
Offer to take the kids to the park or run them to practice. If she does have younger kids she may not have had time to properly grieve since she is trying to stay strong for her kids. An offer to let the kids get out will be appreciated in many ways.
If you know your friend is going to a bereavement group, offer to go along. Support can go along way, even if it is just being there.
Remember the holidays, this can be one of the most difficult times during the first few years. A quick call, an invite to dinner or even a card just letting them know you are remembering them during this difficult time will go along way to show you care.

Above all, be genuine. Do for your friend what you would hope someone would do for you. You can't go wrong ever, by showing someone you truly do care.

How Do I Help Someone In The Hospital?

Even with family there are a lot of things that still need to be taken care of when someone has to have an extended stay in the hospital. Usually family will be near their loved one and this means errands and normal household chores still need to be done. This article will expand on some ways to offer a helping hand to someone who finds themselves in a medical emergency.

The first things you want to do is to get permission and a house key. Let the family know what you would like to do. Your friend may not be able to give permission but extended family can. Get an idea of how long they are expected to be in the hospital and time your help accordingly.

If there are pets, consider bringing the pet to your house to be watched why they are in the hospital. Many families have dogs, cats or other critters that need food and water daily. It can bring comfort to the patient to know their animals are still receiving great care.

If there are children young or old offer to run them to school, pick them up, drop them off at activities. Depending on how many extended family members are around this may not be something that is needed, but offering it and being willing to do it will show just how much you want to help.

Offer to purchase groceries for the family still at home. Unless the person lives alone there is bound to be hungry people who would rather spend time with their loved one then grocery shopping.

Pre make several healthy soups and light meals. Label, date and freeze these meals. Nothing will say I care more then coming home from an extended hospital stay to healthy wholesome meals ready to go. Simple beef broth soups, chicken and rice soup, bean soups as well as small portion pasta dishes will be so appreciated as they regain their strength.

Another simple yet mundane task is preparing the house for their arrival back home. A quick dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down the bathroom would allow for them to relax instead of seeing what needs to be done. Hang fresh towels in the bathrooms and kitchen, make sure dishes are washed and any laundry is done and put away. Opening the windows and airing out the house for a few hours before they arrive will assure a welcoming environment to come home to.

Setting up a favorite chair or bedside table with recent magazines, fresh flowers, and a sympathy gift basket filled with healthy snacks will greet your friend and make them feel like a million bucks. Place all their mail in a simple basket along with a garbage can next to the table and they will be set and ready to continue the healing process.


For even more tips on showing sympathy and unique sympathy gifts, visit PlanetGiftBaskets.com

We Send Sympathy Gifts

We Send Sympathy Gifts

A Unique Way To Help Someone Who Is Grieving

Scrapbooking is a method for preserving personal and family history in the form of a scrapbook. Typical memorabilia include photographs, printed media, and artwork. Scrapbook albums are often decorated and frequently contain extensive journaling. Scrapbooking is a widely practiced pastime in the United States. (from Wikipedia)

Scrapbooking and designing scrapbooks are a huge part of some people's lives. After a devastating loss, some people do not know what to do to show comfort to the grieving.
Why not help to build a lovely scrapbook for the person or family who is grieving. For more information on Sympathy Gifts, read this article about Scrapbooking.

When You Grow Apart, Your Heart Can Hurt.

Sister for always................
Growing up in a close knit family is something I want to recreate for my children. Mom, Dad, my sister and I were like the four musketeers. I know. There are only three, but you know what I mean. One for all and all for one. We did everything together.
I have great memories of my childhood. We had a pool. Every Tuesday my Mom put a red flag up and that let the neighbor kids know that it was open swim. Sometimes mom would cook hot dogs or one of the other mothers would bring over peanut butter and jelly. I can still picture my sister on an air mattress while I swam behind her kicking, pretending like I was the propeller. Good times for sure.
Hiking was what my dad loved. He knew every trail in the southern part of our state. Saturday mornings we were usually up early and ready to go on a new adventure. We were the wilderness family.
My favorite time of the year was Christmas. Dad got on the roof the day after Thanksgiving and hung the lights and then we had hot chocolate together and thought how beautiful the house looked. Shopping, caroling, baking, we did it all and made beautiful and new memories every year.
But then all that changed. My sisters freshman year of college she met the love of her life. At first things were great, but over time she began to change. Over the years it because clear that my sister’s now husband did not want to be any part of our family. I never really can figure out why... It broke our hearts because he did not encourage her to see us either.
Every Christmas the same problem comes up. What to do for my sister and her family?  It hurts to think about.  It would break my heart to do nothing and yet I want to be sensitive also.
Holiday gift baskets the article read.  It told how I could pick out the items I wanted to send and they would be packaged in a Christmas theme and sent right to the house. And so I ordered my basket and had it sent. Somewhere in the bottom on my heart I still believe that my sister remembers all our adventures we had growing up and in her heart she is still part of the four musketeers. I have to believe…..

What Will You Do When You Lose A Loved One To Death?

How many times have you tried to imagine what life would be like without a significant person in your life?  We all do it. We think about how we will react and what we might do to carry on. When you lose a friend or family member you can spiral into the grieving cycle. An unexpected death in the family can be a devastating tragedy.  What can you do to prepare yourself?

If your loved one endured a long illness,  you can prepare to some extent. But, it can be painful and heartbreaking, even if you think you are prepared.  How can you possibly prepare yourself for that kind of loss? Where can you turn?

Many people turn to their faith to get them through a tough time. Your church or place of worship can offer sympathy in a variety of ways. If you are plugged in to a church that has programs that support loss, they can offer relief from tragic moments in life. Some churches offer services such as sympathy gift baskets filled with books and food for the hurting. Some offer counseling, others offer meal delivery. All can help you through a rough patch in life.

The emotions can be intensified if you suddenly lose someone in an accident or some other tragic event when you never even had the chance to say goodbye. You can go into shock and not know where to turn. You also have so many things to do during this time of grieving.  You must prepare for the wake or memorial service and the funeral, along with getting the word out to friends and relatives. You need someone in your life that can help you take care of everything. Someone willing to show sympathy like giving you sympathy gifts that can help ease the hole in your heart.

Sometimes after the funeral or memorial service is when you need the most support. Many people will send sympathy cards and gifts. Some people will send angels to watch over you or memorial gifts like garden stones or a personalized frame. All of these ideas can help the hurting person deal with the grief of losing a loved one.

When you receive gifts or gourmet gift baskets, you need to remember to send a thank you card or note.

Thanking everyone who helped you through a tough time is appreciated by many people. It also gives you a chance to touch base with people who love you. Don't forget your church or place of worship, your friends and those who have brought meals or food to you. When my mother in law passed away. The family sorted through all the gifts and cards and we made a list of all the people who needed a thank you. We then divided the list by all the kids and we all were able to write some thank you cards. When you divide them up, you can write more from your heart because you have less cards to write. The cards are meaningful to the people who gave the gifts and who attended the services.

Inspirational Words by Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon
(June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892) was a British Preacher who was known as the "Prince of Preachers".
In his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10,000,000 people. People still look to his sermons for inspiration. When I read this passage, it really helped with a recent death in my own life and I wanted to pass it along.

"O children of God! death hath lost its sting. It is sweet to die; to lie upon the breast of Christ, and have one's soul kissed out of one's body by the lips of divine affection. And you that have lost friends, or that may be bereaved, sorrow not as those who are without hope. What a sweet thought the death of Christ brings us concerning those who are departed! They are gone, my brethren; but do you know how far they have gone? The distance between the glorified spirits in heaven and the militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not so. We are not far from home" Charles Spurgeon

Our Sympathies Gift Basket- Gourmet Trunk

Our Sympathies Gift Basket- Gourmet Trunk

Sympathy Gifts can be hard to choose. Sometimes as family and friends, we do not know what to do or say when someone is grieving. Even worse, we may even say nothing at all. As time goes on it gets even more awkward to express your sympathy and condolences for their loss. Planet Gift Baskets strives to make this situation easier on those that wish to express their sympathy. We have created a unique and personalized sympathy gift line that includes condolence gifts for all budgets, lifestyles and recipients.We have also included a line of sympathy gifts for men which can be hard to find that reflect a masculine style. Each gift comes with free personalized ribbon to express your heartfelt condolences. If you are at a loss of what to say, we have included some respectful and common expressions you may choose to add to your ribbon.

How To Help A Family Through A Rough Time

Right after high school graduation our son joined the Marines. He wanted to do something that would bring purpose to his life. Even though his father and I could think of other things we would rather see him do, we were very proud of him. While in boot camp, the unthinkable happened - 9/11.

In a nearby city, a young man who also wanted to find purpose in his life chose a career in firefighting. After graduation he started taking all the steps needed to live out his dream as a fireman. Then 9/11 happened. It made such an impact on him that he decided to join the Marines and serve his country. My son and Bryan ended up in the same platoon. They quickly became the best of friends. Over the next few months they worked hard at becoming war ready. In February of 2003 they answered the Commander-in-Chief's call and headed to Kuwait.

Bryan lost his life in Iraq. With honor, he gave his life as he protected those Marines with which he served. I remember the phone call his mom made to us just as if it were yesterday. We spent the next few days with his family grieving, crying and even laughing. The community gave Bryan's family great support and many friends stopped by their home with offerings of food, flowers, sympathy gift baskets and shared memories of Bryan. Even though the pain of their loss was overwhelming, these offerings helped comfort them.

For tips on how to help visit our Sympathy and Grief Resource Center
Sympathy Gifts of words and love can help.

How We Helped Grandpa Through The Holidays

Grandpa was funny. He always acted so strong and in control. He was the man of the family. The one who wore the pants. Sure, he loved my Grandma but he made most important decisions. I always wondered if it was him or his generation? Maybe it was both. But when Grammy died, I am sure part of Grandpa did too. See, in many ways she died slowly. My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was a slow painful disease. We all watched her turn into someone she wasn’t. So when that first Christmas came where Grandma was with us physically but the disease had stolen most of who we knew her to be it was hard for all of us. But especially for Grandma

Grandma loved Christmas. She cherished it. I can still picture her Santa shaped sugar cookies, her beautiful table, and I can’t forget about Christmas Eve Soup night. It hurts to actually recall those things. Time changes things. And while it was inevitable, Grandpa needed our sympathy gifts that first Christmas more than anything else.

It was hard to know what to give her or him. The Grandma we knew had changes so much and most of her time was spent sitting and staring. It was heart breaking to watch and yet if we were hurting I can only imagine what Grandpa who always seemed so self assured must have felt. We decided to help him through this first holiday but keeping Grandma’s memory alive. We made a blanket with all of the great grand kids pictures on it. Both would enjoy it and Grandma always was cold before she was sick.

We made a sympathy gift for Grandpa. It was a basket of all of his favorite things that reflected Grandma. Her sugar cookies, her silly hats she made for Grandpa, a framed photo of their wedding day with an embossed love note I found in a drawer.

These sympathy gifts were hard to see. But meant the world to Grandpa at the same time. And while Grandma may have only been aware for a moment I am sure I saw her smile as Grandma held close their wedding photo as if it were tugging at his heart.

Helping of all of us walk through the pain Alzheimer’s can bring is heart wrenching. But offering a sympathy gift during the holidays can help heal and mean hearts.

Memorial Gifts...How Can You Choose What To Give?

A memorial is a time to pause and reflect upon a life that was lived. It is a time to seek and look for all that was good in the precious life that was lived. A memorial is also a celebration of life. It is a time to rejoice and remember. A memorial gift can help keep those memories close to ones heart. It can help heal, bring joy, and continue the celebration of a person’s life. There are many different types of memorial gifts one can give. Here are some ideas and tips when giving a memorial gift to celebrate a loved one’s life for all of time.

*Choose a gift that reflects the person who has passed away. Sympathy Gifts for Men can be simple. If he loved fishing then a fishing photo personalized with his name would be a wonderful gift for a family member.

*Choose a gift that can be well used and often remembered. A blanket can be an everyday item but a blanket personalized with the date of life to death of a favorite grandmother will become a cherished item and not just a blanket.

*Remember those who are sometimes forgotten. Children can have a hard time expressing their emotions when death comes. A gift basket that is filled with items that reflects the person who has passed away is a great way to show love to the child and also respect for the lost. It is fun for kids to go through a gift basket and discuss how the items remind them of the person who is no longer in their lives.

*Memorial gifts should be positive. All life ends at some point. Seek to give an inspirational gift that encourages and focuses on the good. Prayers, poems, and inspirational messages coupled with beautiful artwork can do wonders for a grieving heart. There are many different items that can fill this need and constantly be a reminder of the life that was lived.

*Include a personal message. If you are not sure what to say than buy a book that helps one walk through the stages of grief. And write a small note on the inside. Actions as always speak louder than words.

There are just a few hints when choosing a memorial gift to celebrate your loved one!