If you have a griever in your life, giving them a thoughtful gift to help express your condolences can be a great way to make them feel loved. Losing a loved one is a painful and difficult experience. If you have a friend who is going through this, you may be wondering how to offer your support and show your love.
One way to do this is by giving them a thoughtful gift that will help them through this challenging time. However, choosing the right gift can be a daunting task. Below, we’ll explore 8 ideas for creative and meaningful gifts for a grieving friend.
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1. Memorial Jewelry
Jewelry is a great gift because it allows the griever to feel like they are carrying a piece of their loved ones with them. You could choose a more understated option with a secret meaning or a more overt memorial piece. Here are some examples:
2. Comfort Items
Who doesn’t love a cozy blanket or candle? This is especially true when grief has knocked out your motivation to get out of bed. You can’t go wrong with one of these crowd pleasers!
3. Write a thoughtful letter
This free option might just be the most meaningful one. Taking the time to be vulnerable and really express heartfelt condolences could help your friend tremendously. If you can, share happy memories about their loved one. Tell your friend what they mean to you. This could be a wonderful opportunity to share in the sorrow of your friend with a personal touch.
4. A Scrapbook or Memorial Box
A scrapbook or memorial box filled with memories of their loved one can be a beautiful gift that they can cherish forever. My mom and sister made me a scrapbook of pictures of my son that I will cherish forever! You could fill it with pictures yourself or if they enjoy crafts, you could leave it to them and include a scrapbooking kit like the one below.
5. Supportive Books
Give your friend a book on coping with loss, grief, or healing. Make sure that it’s specific to their situation and a reputable choice. For example, don’t get a new widow the book that helped you through the loss of your dog. Here are four suggestions that helped me tremendously with my grief:
6. A remembrance symbol item
Cardinal, butterflies, and forget-me-nots are the notorious symbols that people use for lost loved ones. Every time I see one, I think of my son. Consider gifting an item that will make your friend think of their loved on when they see it.
7. Flowers
Flowers are one of the go-to gifts for the grieving for a reason. They brighten the room and freshen the air. You can order from a local florist or send them conveniently straight from Amazon.
8. Other memorial ideas
You could also gift a different memorial item like a garden stone, wind chime, figurine, or painting. Try to be creative and think about things that may be significant to your friend or their loved one. I had a friend gift a windchime and another gift a Willow Tree Figurine and they are two of my favorites!
It’s important to remember that there’s no perfect gift that can take away the pain of losing a loved one. However, offering support and showing love can make all the difference. Whether it’s a simple card or a thoughtful gift, the gesture itself can be a powerful reminder that your friend is not alone in their grief. So, when choosing a gift for a grieving friend, think about what will bring them comfort and help them honor their loved one’s memory. And, most importantly, remember to be there for them with your time, your words, and your heart.
Be sure to check out this post for more ideas on how to support a grieving friend instead of just asking, “How are you?”
