23/12/2025
How we include and honour Jack at Christmas ✨
I often get asked by other bereaved families how we include or honour Jack at Christmas. Yesterday, a dear friend asked me—and it brought such unexpected joy to be asked.
Our first Christmas with Jack was only two months after he died, and I felt so much pressure to “figure it out” quickly.
But grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and there’s no right or wrong way to include a little one in your heart during the festive season. It took time to find what felt meaningful for us—and that’s okay.
For us, keeping Jack part of our celebrations is gentle and intentional:
🎄 We hang a stocking with his name so Santa can bring a small gift for his sisters (we’ve done a bear personalised jumpers, this year it’s “Play Snap with Jack”) and a book to add to their collection.
💌 We make a donation in his name such as to or
🕯 We light a candle on the Christmas table with his photo.
🏮 And we leave a lantern burning on our doorstep all night so Jack can see his home from the stars.
These traditions allow us to include him in a way that feels meaningful to us - especially to his sisters- both of whom are starry eyed with the magic of Christmas, even when grief is everywhere.
Love doesn’t end, even when little lives are no longer here, and his memory shines bright among our stars ⭐🤍
So what do I tell other bereaved families?
Honouring your baby doesn’t have to be big or loud. Sometimes it looks like speaking their name, placing a star on the tree, lighting a candle, or choosing a small tradition that keeps them part of Christmas.
There is no “right” way—only what feels true to your heart. Sometimes it’s simply allowing space for both joy and missing to exist together. 💛
