Christmas is one of the most anticipated holidays in the UK and all over the world.
The celebratory customs have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins including gift exchanges, Christmas tree decorating, attending church service, and of course, sharing a meal/making memories with family and friends.
There are times, however, when the enchantment that floods this time of year leaves a bitter taste and makes one less receptive to the general jubilation. These are the times of bereavement, when the absence of a loved one is felt even more keenly, especially if the loss is recent and of someone that brought the whole family together during Christmas.
Still reeling from loss, and perhaps in denial, most people place unrealistic expectations on themselves, trying to keep everything about Christmas exactly the same as it was before the loss of a loved one. This may include taking on all the cooking, wrapping gifts, putting up decorations, and observing family Christmas traditions which in the end can all prove overwhelming and lead to a breakdown.
There’s no single, universal way of dealing with grief. Everyone experiences it differently. While some prefer to withdraw and observe solitude, others find it healthy to join in the festivities of the holidays; more as a tribute to the life and memory of their deceased loved one than as a desire to forget them/suppress the grief resulting from the loss.
Most people find solace in starting new traditions through which the family can honor the deceased person’s memory together while others invest in memorial gifts that act as a keepsake or memorabilia of the deceased.
Memorial Gift Ideas to Honor Your Deceased Loved One this Christmas
Memorial gifts are an aspect of grieving that has become popular in the UK and all over the world over the years. Because of them, people are able to keep a piece of their dearly departed, long after they have left the earthly plane and in so doing are able to preserve their memory/legacy for future generations.
Here are a few ideas on how to pay tribute to your loved one at Christmas:
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Hang a Christmas Tree Memorial Ornament or a Memorial Stocking for Them
You can hand-paint or engrave the deceased’s name on the ornament, and even add their photograph for a more personal touch.
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Memorial Christmas Lanterns
You can personalize a remembrance lantern with the name and dates of your departed loved one, plus a goodbye message for them.
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Personalized Angel Wings
Angel wings symbolize that your loved one is watching over you as your guardian angel.
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Memorial Garden
This is a quiet, safe space for you to visit and revisit anytime you want to feel your loved one’s presence. It can be as small as a single tree in your compound or even something as elaborate as a flower garden. A bonsai tree (which symbolizes harmony, peace, order of thoughts, balance and all that is good in nature) is one of the most popular examples of a memorial garden centerpiece.
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DIY Photo Vases
You can personalize the vases with photos of different moments in your loved one’s life, and place them here and there in the living room. This can be a craft project for the whole family after Christmas dinner.
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Make a Memorial Quilt in Christmas Tones
This is a collection of special clothing items pieced together to celebrate important milestones, special events, or the life of your deceased loved one
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Leave an Empty Seat at the Dinner Table
Remember to propose a toast to the memory of the deceased or dedicate a minute’s silence to them at dinner.
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Mark Christmas with Commemorative Jewelry
The purpose of commemorative jewelry is to preserve a memory or commemorate a special occasion, such as a birth, a wedding or the death of a loved one.
The most common types of commemorative jewelry include birthstone jewelry (featuring a precious or semi-precious stone associated with the month of the deceased’s birth), fingerprint jewelry (featuring the deceased’s fingerprint), photo jewelry (featuring a photo of your loved one, as is the case with medallions) and finally, memorial diamonds (real diamonds made from the ashes of your departed loved one).
Commemorate Your Deceased Loved One with a Beautiful Diamond for Christmas.
A memorial diamond is a diamond created from carbon extracted from the cremated ashes or hair of your deceased loved one.
Diamonds are forever. Just like the memory of your loved one.
The natural geological process that forms diamonds deep in the earth’s crust is reproduced using high-pressure, high-temperature machines in the laboratory. The resulting memorial diamonds take an average of 9 months to form, and are both physically and chemically identical to their natural counterparts.
Although they go through the same synthesis process, memorial diamonds are never identical. Each diamond is as unique as the person it is intended to commemorate.
Memorial diamond prices in the UK vary based on carat weight, diamond cut, color, and clarity. A 0.25-carat natural amber memorial diamond costs 2,000 euros, while a 3.0-carat pure colorless memorial diamond costs 32,800 euros.
The Significance of Diamonds as Christmas Gifts
- Diamonds are a universal symbol of love and commitment, and are the perfect way to show your gratitude, love or admiration during the Christmas vacations.
- Diamond jewelry can start a family tradition: it’s easy to keep and can be passed on to the next generation as a family heirloom, the best example being family engagement rings.
- Diamonds are eternal. They last a lifetime and carry stories with them. In the case of memorial diamonds, this gesture is even more significant, as the gem is an extension of your deceased loved one and their legacy.
Far from removing our loved ones from our hearts, the Christmas season in many ways allows us to rekindle happy memories. It’s also the perfect time to strengthen in peace, happiness and serenity the spiritual union with the dearly departed.
