Grief can feel too much during the Christmas season. It may be a time when you are surrounded by memories and other people making plans with their loved ones. There are lots of potential triggers which could pop up at any time – Christmas adverts, personalised cards, poignant films and lots of social media posts. Here are some grief activities that might help a bereaved child or young person cope with their grief at Christmas.
Remembering at Christmas
Christmas time without your person for the first, second, or even tenth time can be really difficult. It’s normal for children and young people to feel completely different from one year to the next. If they’re feeling okay to think of their person and remember past Christmases spent with them, this activity might be suitable to do this year. ‘Remembering at Christmas’ allows the child or young person to reflect on their person’s favourite things about Christmas, as well as make plans for how to celebrate this year without them. Download the PDF to try out the activity.
Writing an unsent Christmas card
It might feel odd, but there’s no reason why a child or young person can’t buy or make a card for the person who has died. There might be lots of things they wished they could say to them, for example things they miss or how they feel. Writing these down can help get them out of their head. They could put the card in a memory box or special place.
Snowman strike
Christmas can be a difficult and overwhelming time for grieving families. It can help to start a new tradition and spend some time together where you are doing something unrelated to your grief. This Snowman Strike activity is simply a fun thing to do together that can be a distraction and hopefully bring some joy.
Self-care kit
Christmas can be overwhelming, especially when you’re grieving. Helping a child or encouraging a young person to create a self-care kit with lots of ideas on how to make themselves feel better can really help when emotions are running high. This could include anything – meditating, screaming into a pillow, going for a run, listening to music… Whatever works for them.
Memory box
This is a special place to keep treasured items that remind children and young people of the person and that they can look through whenever they want to remember them. Customise the box and fill it with photos, letters, jewellery, clothing, Christmas cards… anything special. It can help to write notes for each item, especially if children are younger, so they can read these memories.
Life quiz
There will be lots of things a child or young person doesn’t know about the person who died. If you’re spending time with family and friends who knew that person around Christmas, it could be a good time for them to share memories. Create a quiz about their person with questions like ‘What was the worst or best Christmas present they ever gave you?’ or ‘What was their karaoke song?’.
How to get grief support
If you’re a young person who is struggling with their grief or you are an adult who would like help to support a child or young person after the death of someone, Winston’s Wish are here to help. Winston’s Wish provides support for children, young people up to the age of 25 and adults supporting them.
You can call our Freephone Helpline on 08088 020 021 (8am-8pm, Monday to Friday), email us on ask@winstonswish.org or use our live chat (open 3-8pm, Monday to Friday). Our practitioners are here to listen, can offer immediate guidance and resources and tell you what support we can offer and what might be most suitable for you.
Our Winston’s Wish Crisis Messenger is available 24/7 for urgent support in a crisis. Text WW to 85258.
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