ISSUE

50

Today Matters!

Inspiration from With Sympathy
Gifts & Keepsakes

December 3, 2013


 



During the holidays, I like to talk a lot about working through your grief by including your loved one in the festivities. I am a big believer of incorporating your loved one in old traditions and starting new ones.....so you can grief with joy and gratitude.

Below I share some of my favorite ways to include your loved one. I know how hard it can be just listening to holiday music, go shopping, or even making plans. I didn't even want to go to church on Christmas after my mother died because I knew it would be difficult to see other families together celebrating. I didn't like feeling that way so I decided that my grief was going to be different.

Because I wanted my loved ones with me during the holidays, I made it a point to include them. The ideas below are wonderful ways to bring your family together and celebrate life. It will help heal and you will feel the presence of their love. Through these activities, you are doing Joyful Grieving, remembering your loved one with connection and celebration. 

Chelsea

For those of you in the Green Bay area, check out our in person workshop "Joyful Grieving" this Saturday, December 7th.

Joyful Grieving!

Give Gifts in their Name

Continue buying gifts for your loved one and instead of leaving them unopened under the tree, give them to those in need in your loved one's name.




Tree of Life and Lights

Many organizations have tree lighting ceremonies to remember loved ones. If you don't have one in your area, you can have your own with your family.
Sponsor a tree or bring an ornament to hang. Gathering with others who are a remembering their loved ones can be very healing and uplifting.
 


 

Include them at Dinner

At dinner, have every one go around and say their favorite memory of your loved one.
If this is too hard, then you could always pause and have a moment of silence in their honor.



Stuff their Stockings with Love

Continue hanging your loved one's stocking and every year have family members write notes to them and stuff their stocking with love.



 

Honor them with a Special Tree

You can decorate a small tree by their headstone to honor your loved one and let them know you are missing them.
After the holidays, you can plant the tree in a memorial garden or special place.

 

Jacob's Wisdom

Every morning my son jumps out of bed to go find his Elf on the Shelf. It is quite fascinating that he actually believes that his elf comes to life while he is sleeping and flies around. Just like how children believe Santa fills his sleigh with toys for every child in the world and flies around from house to house in one night. It is so fun to watch how excited he gets about Christmas.

A friend of mine who doesn't have kids asked me what the point of Elf on the Shelf is. Besides telling her it was a Godsend for parents and I wished our elf could stay around all year, I explained that it is something tangible that kids can see to help them understand abstract concepts. Our Elf helps my son understand the spirit of Christmas. I like tangible things, which is partly why I opened my sympathy gift store. Sometimes it is hard to see and feel that love lives on after our loved ones pass so having something to hold onto can help in the healing process. That is why I believe in starting the traditions above. Sometimes just thinking about your loved one isn't enough, having something physical to hold or doing something like writing them a note will help fill that emptiness.

Give a Gift of Comfort and Healing
"Merry Christmas From Heaven Above"


This moving gift book is the perfect gift at the holidays for someone who has lost a loved. The gift recipient will be touched that you remembered his or her loved one at Christmas, which is often a difficult time for the bereaved. Your gift will bring comfort at a time when it is needed. 

This remembrance gift can be given at the first Christmas after loss or any future Christmas. Merry Christmas from Heaven Above is our most popular remembrance gift for the holidays and was written by Chelsea Hanson, the founder of With Sympathy Gifts and Keepsakes. 

"Let your faith be strong, for I am spending Christmas in Heaven where I belong. May your Christmas be happy in all kinds of ways. And may all your tomorrows be wonderful days.” -Excerpt from Merry Christmas from Heaven Above

During the holidays, a simple gift of remembrance is a small gesture, but it can make such a difference to the recipient. The bereaved will be moved that you remembered his or her loved one at a tough time of the year. Because many others will be afraid to give such a gift, your remembrance becomes more important and is probably one of the best gifts you can give.
 
Click here to purchase $9.00

"Joyful Grieving" Workshop - Dec 7

Do Grief Differently Through Celebration and Connection!


 
The holidays are often difficult for anyone who has lost someone they love. The holidays often stir up renewed grief for people who have experienced loss. Oftentimes, the sights, sounds, and smells trigger memories of their loved one. While the rest of the world is in joyful celebration, grievers can face a season of sadness.
 
Join me and Life Coach, Kerry Geocaris this Saturday as we DO GRIEF DIFFERENTLY through CELEBRATION and CONNECTION!
 
In this workshop you will:
  • Learn how to celebrate and honor your loved one in a way that will keep you motivated to live the life of your dreams
  • Must-know tips for grieving (especially during the holidays)
  • Learn wellness and self-care tips that will keep you going
  • Learn different ways to connect with your loved one
  • Make your own holiday remembrance keepsake
  • Do a fun, surprise activity to connect with the one you love
This workshop is for you if you have lost a loved one or you have a close friend or family member who has experienced loss and you would like to learn ways to support them.
 
This is also for you if:
  • You are dreading the holidays
  • You are getting more anxious as the holidays are approaching
  • You are more tearful than usual
  • Memories are being triggered
  • You get sad thinking that things will never be the same
  • It’s difficult to carry on traditions you use to have
  • You are more withdrawn and isolating
  • You want to be happy and celebrate but you don’t know how
  • You feel guilty being happy with your loved one gone
  • You feel alone and that nobody understands
  • You get annoyed by people telling you what to do and how to grieve

Saturday, December 7th
3:00-6:00pm

Jitterbean Coffee
2670 Monroe Rd

De Pere, WI 54115


$45
Bring a friend along for support for only $25

Call: (855) 404-4387 to register

If this workshop interests you but you can't make it, please email and let us know if you would be interested in a virtual program. 
This workshop is focused on helping you find more JOY.  It is in a safe, cozy, and supportive environment.
 
You will leave with more JOY and CONNECTION as well as a keepsake to honor your loved one and a chance to win some great door prizes!
 
- See more at:http://withsympathygifts.com/mystore/holidays/joyful-grieving-workshop.html#sthash.4EOct8dD.dpuf
 
 

About Chelsea

Chelsea Hanson, is a nationally recognized author, grief expert, and founder and owner of WithSympathy Gifts and Keepsakes.  Her published works and grief support programs are being used by funeral homes across the country to provide comfort to those who have lost loved ones. People who are grieving turn to Chelsea because they can relate to her story and are looking for inspiration to move forward. 



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WithSympathy Gifts & Keepsakes
2153 Kensington Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311