| |
| |
|
Holidays Information |
|
|
|
Christmas Mourning
Deecember is a cruel month. Christmas sales, decorations, advertisements -everyone seems so happy and cheerful - it's easy to feel alone. It's precisely at these happy times that the loss of our loved one can be felt the strongest. We remember only too well who is missing. Whether our loss was recent or whether it occurred many years ago, we are constantly surrounded by sights and sounds that trigger memories of holidays past, and wracked with dreams of what might have been. Holidays involve expectations about getting together with family, about special meals or special gifts, and special traditions. Even when we find a way to cope with everyday life, the holiday season brings a renewed sense of these dreadful feelings of grief. No matter how much we surround ourselves with the closeness of family and friends, it's impossible to forget the memories of past holidays when our loved ones were here. And impossible not to wonder what the present holidays would be like if our loved ones had not been taken from us. What can we do? Plan ahead Sit down quietly and think about what you can handle comfortably. Pin down those traditions which are really important to you, which ones you can scale down and which ones you could skip entirely. Change or Modify Change can make things less painful. Do you routinely cook the traditional meal ? Will this be something to distract you, to keep your mind off your sorrow ? It may be too much work, or too much pain ... if it's too much - it's perfectly okay to say so and let someone else take on the traditional task. If you normally travel at Christmas consider staying home. Or if home has too many sad memories, think about getting away somewhere for a day or two. Avoid excessive self-medication Don't use alcohol or over-eating to cope. Too much food or alcohol only makes you feel worse. This is no time to shortchange yourself by self-medication on alcohol. Let people know Tell your friends and family just what you can, and can't, do. You'll find that others are only too happy to take over some of your tasks, or to assist you in those you choose to keep. Talk about the person who has died. Others often avoid mentioning your loved one's name in an attempt to avoid hurting you, so be honest with them and teach them that its a lot more painful not to talk about your memories. Ceremonies Commemorate your loved one with a special Ceremony. Make them part of your traditional holiday celebration by including them in your family dinner - lay an extra place setting, light a special candle, make a small speech and raise your glass in a toast. Children could write the loved one a letter to place under the christmas tree or the main decoration you normally have for the holidays. Get a new ornament in memory. Plant a tree. Start a new tradition. Do something for others You may find comfort in doing something for others. Take the money you would have spent on a gift for your loved one and donate it to a charity in his or her name. Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, grief counsellor and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions, and specialises in celebrations for women. http://celebrant.yarralink.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Holidays - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Kid Birthday Party Game Ideas - 7 Proven Winners Here are 7 classic kid birthday party game ideas that are always successful. And you can easily make all of them fit your party theme. Tips For Singles on Surviving (And Enjoying) The Holidays Here you are, facing the holiday season alone. Have you been thinking about?*how alone and lonely you feel*excuses you can give family members as to why you can't come this year*what friends may be available to spend those long days with*how another year has passed and you are (still) single*how unfair it is that everyone else seems so happy and connected*how you will handle the office holiday party- single, take a friend, not attend*going to a far away (tropical?) place to escape it all*hiding out, alone, in your own homeIf these thoughts sound familiar it is probably time to reflect on your feelings regarding this holiday season. Dear Santa: Christmas Sucks! Christmas time is finally here, and most people during this holiday are happier than a fat kid eating a Krispy Kreme donut. Christmas brings so many great things to the table; the caroling, the NO SCHOOL, the snowmen and hour long snowball fights that ends with bloody noses, the eggnog and drunken relatives, the presents, holiday parties, and the drinking hot coco next to a roaring fire while cuddling up with your loved one. Aran... Where the Sweaters Come From Aran Sweaters. The Aran sweater takes its name from the islands from where it originated, untold generations ago. Holiday Tips & Treats That Wont Play Tricks On Your Waistline Halloween - so starts the Holiday Season. The average American gains 7-12 pounds between Halloween and New Year's . Great Gifts Under $5 Gift giving is at its absolute finest during the Christmas season. Putting smiles on children's faces, making an elderly person feel appreciated, rewarding a hardworking employee - the reasons for gift giving at Christmas are endless. Top 5 Ways for an ADD Adult to Have a Happy Holiday Holidays have the potential to send an adult with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) into overload. Too many details to plan, kids to manage, and family to cope with can turn a good day into a stressful one. Glorious Holiday Decorating (Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Sanity) Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally draining. But you can decorate your home beautifully--on a budget--by following just a few simple suggestions. Find Easy Halloween Costumes Online! Great Ideas Are Only One Click Away We all wish there was more time in a day. So when you start thinking of what to wear for your upcoming Halloween party, have no fear: you won't need lots of time to get your costume ready. Preparing For the Holidays: Ho Ho Ho... or Bah Humbug! Some of my clients dread the holiday season because it often represents stress, pressure, expectations, guilt, disappointment, pain, loneliness, exhaustion.. Say I Love You For Valentines Day With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the perfect gift for the one you love. Whether you are looking for something special on a tight budget or would simply like to add something special to another gift, there's no better way to express your love than by saying it in a variety of languages. Its Party Time - Lets Decorate! Holidays are here and so is the spirit of partying. Here are some wonderful ideas for transforming your home into an innovative party scenario and giving your guests an occasion that will forever remain etched in their memories. Christmas Tree Topper Ornaments From my childhood memories, pride of place on the top of Christmas tree always went to a fairy dressed in white. Or was it an angel? No, I'm sure it was the Christmas fairy; and she was usually last to go on the tree apart from the tinsel. 30th Birthday Gift Ideas Choosing a birthday gift for a friend about to turn thirty years old can be a challenging task. You want to honor the special day with a unique gift, but not necessarily draw attention to their age. Making Gifts A Pleasure As we reach the time of year when Christmas items start to appear in the stores, and thoughts of vacations start to wind down with the shortening daylight, it is a good time to think about gifts. Not only the gifts, though, but also the practise of giving. Maybe This Christmas Will Be Different.... Have you always dreamed of a Norman Rockwell Christmas - where everyone is singing Christmas carols and there is joy in the house? Alas, your Christmas memories are often filled with Uncle Joe getting drunk and your parents ending up in a fight. By the end of Christmas day family members are mad and no one is talking to one another. Are You Truly Thankful For Everything? Thanksgiving is the time of year when we stop and are thankful for all our blessings. Of course, we should be thankful every day of the year. Texas Exotic Hunting Texas Exotic Hunting is a popular sport in this state. Hog hunting in Texas and dove hunting in Texas are both considered exotic. Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining The holiday season is upon us! It is a time when family and friends gather together. Some people love to entertain and enjoy bringing people together. Keeping Christmas Spirit Alive: Christmas Just Isn't The Same Without Santa Claus! Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas, should never change. Most folks have a favorite holiday and for many it is Christmas.
|
| home | index |site map |
| © 2006 |
