Tips For Handling The Holidays

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1. DECIDE WHAT YOU CAN HANDLE COMFORTABLY AND LET FAMILY 
AND FRIENDS KNOW.
Can I handlle the responsibility of the family dinner, etc. or shall I 
ask someone else to do it?
Do I want to talk about my loved one or not?
Shall I stay here for the holidays or go to a completely different 
environment?
2. MAKE SOME CHANGES IF THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE FOR YOU.
Open presents Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning.  Vary the 
timing of Channukah gift giving.
Have dinner at a different time or place
Let the children take over decorating the house, the tree, baking 
and food preparation, etc.
3.  RE-EXAMINE YOUR PRIORITIES: GREETING CARDS, HOLIDAY BAKING, 
DECORATING, PUTTING UP A TREE, FAMILY DINNER, ETC.
Do I really enjoy doing this?
Is this a task that can be shared?
4.  CONSIDER DOING SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
Donate a gift in the memory of your loved one.
Donate money you would have spent on your loved one as a gift to 
charity.
Adopt a needy family for the holidays.
Invite a guest (foreign student, senior citizen) to share festivities.
5.  RECOGNIZE YOUR LOVED ONE'S PRESENCE IN THE FAMILY.
Burn a special candle to quietly include your loved one.
Hang a stocking for your loved one in which people can put notes with 
their thoughts or feelings.
Listen to music especially liked by the deceased.
Look at photographs.
6.  IF YOU DECIDE TO DO HOLIDAY SHOPPING, MAKE A LIST 
AHEAD OF TIME AND KEEP IT HANDY FOR A GOOD DAY, OR SHOP THROUGH A 
CATALOGUE.
7.  OBSERVE THE HOLIDAYS IN WAYS WHICH ARE COMFORTABLE 
FOR YOU.
There is no right or wrong way of handling holidays.
Once you've decided how to observe the time, let others know.
8. TRY TO GET ENOUGH REST -- HOLIDAYS CAN BE EMOTIONALLY 
AND PHYSICALLY DRAINING.
9.  ALLOW YOURSELF TO EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS.
Holidays often magnify feelings of loss.  It is natural to feel sadness.
Share concerns, apprehensions, feelings with a friend.  The need for 
support is often greater during holidays.
10.  KEEP IN MIND THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF MANY BEREAVED PERSONS IS THAT 
THEY DO COME TO ENJOY HOLIDAYS AGAIN.  THERE WILL BE OTHER HOLIDAY 
SEASONS TO CELEBRATE.
11.  DON'T BE AFRAID TO HAVE FUN.
Laughter and joy are not disrespectful.  Give yourself and your family 
members permission to celebrate and take pleasure in the holidays.
Reprinted from *Bereavement & Loss Resources* a publication of 
Rivendell Resources and GriefNet.
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