Christmas is a time when people share festive moments together. Being a time filled with joy, it can amplify the ache of no longer having the deceased loved one around; thus making one feel guilty to celebrate.
However, you should know that there’s no right or wrong way to observe the holiday after losing a loved one – everyone handles it differently. There’s no need to feel guilty about looking forward to Christmas. You deserve to embrace the holiday season and enjoy it without any hesitation.
What to do If You Want to Celebrate
You may feel compelled to celebrate if, in spite of the pain, you want to make memories and spend time with your remaining loved ones. Doing this may help you balance your grief with cherishing them.
After you have made this decision, don’t place any pressure on yourself to have the perfect Christmas season. Share your Christmas plans with your loved ones in advance. This is to help ease their concerns and allow them to support you in the best way they can.
You may want to balance old traditions with new traditions or even totally embrace new ones. Old traditions help us to honor and remember our loved ones. New traditions may help you move through your grief.
If You Would Rather Not Celebrate
If you’d rather not join in the festivities, volunteering could be a meaningful way to keep busy.
Choose a cause that you know your loved one would have supported, and spend some time this Christmas season helping out in their honor.
It gives you a chance to reflect and find peace, offering some time to gain perspective, which is especially valuable during this time of year.
It’s helpful to communicate your decision with your remaining loved ones to prevent conflicts.