How to Pick the Most Difficult Gifts of All -Sympathy Gifts
It can be so hard to know what to do and say when someone we care about is going through a difficult time, such as dealing with the loss of a loved one. We can often feel totally adrift, sometimes even doing nothing, as we don’t want to upset them even more by reminding them of their loss. Let me reassure you that a meaningful gift chosen with love in our hearts can do so much to help. Whether it is in the first few weeks or months later, or even their first Christmas without their loved one - your special gift can provide them with an immeasurable degree of comfort, often in unexpected ways, and is a tangible way for you to acknowledge that loss in their lives.
A well chosen gift can be soothing and promote a sense of nurturing or allow remembrance of loved ones. Many sympathy gifts can support the journey towards healing and adaption to such terrible loss or inspire and instil hope that they will get through this - somehow.
Let me give you some examples: –
A beautiful candle thoughtfully given can allow its light to soothe and quieten surroundings but can also be a candle of remembrance, bringing connection to those who have loved and lost.
Whilst a gift of soap or bath oil may seem superficial it can allow for much needed respite from the torturous bouts of crying and allow moments of stillness and relaxing.
A culinary gift, may seem irrelevant, but can provide the opportunity to take time out and enjoy a soothing cuppa, when those times seem impossibly distant.
When my son Stuart died I received a beautiful angel given to me by my boss’s wife. That little angel (it only stands about 10cm tall) has helped me through some dark, dark moments and sits on my bedside table alongside a photo of Stuart. It is still there, guiding and helping. An angel, similar to the one I received, can offer support and connection to those affected by grief.
By giving a beautiful journal, you are giving someone the opportunity to express their feelings of deep sorrow, and pain. They may also use it to write to their loved one and establish a means of connection again, albeit in a different form. Or, it can become a treasured remembrance book of photos, clippings and inspirational passages.
A book can do many things, and whilst concentration is deeply affected during grieving, well chosen passages can provide comfort and support. A book detailing how other individuals have coped with loss can give them signposts to help on their journey and instil much needed hope that they too will survive.
A sympathy gift doesn’t have to be morbid and dull. A light hearted but relevant gift can have the effect of lifting a mood and showing that you care. Even at such moments in life, we still experience things that make us laugh, as well as cry. Sharing it with special friends makes it even more meaningful.
Today, take the time to choose a meaningful and compassionate sympathy gift, however difficult it might be and know how much comfort and help you are giving to a friend.
Maureen Hunter is the founder of ESDEER, an online retail store specialising in the sale of Meaningful and Compassionate gifts, including a range of Sympathy gifts.
The idea for ESDEER began in 2007 following the sudden death of her 18 year old son, Stuart, in a car accident. Many of the items she used to help in her grief were hard to find and not available from any one source. ESDEER was established in 2009 and brings together a range of gifts suitable for many occasions, including bereavement.
Related posts:
- Sympathy Gifts during Times of Bereavement and Trouble
- Sympathy Gifts: Saying it All When Words Can’t
- With Deepest Sympathy Gift Basket
- Inspirational Sympathy Gift Basket
- Sympathy Gift – Remembrance – Male – 4 1/2 X 8
