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The holidays are especially hard after a loved one has died. Special traditions don’t feel right when the person who was so integral to them isn’t here anymore.
If you’re grieving a loved one this Christmas, you might take comfort in this meaningful idea to honor their memory through a snowflake luminary.
The idea came from Instagram. A Child Life Specialist who goes by “Miss Suzanne” shared it on her account, Child Life Grief Notes.
She wrote,
This snowflake luminary is a beautiful way to honor your loved one.
Each jar features one unique and special snowflake representing your person . . . that they are unique and special and that our relationship with them is ALSO unique, special, and one-of-a-kind.
For those children who are grieving the loss of several people, they can add a different snowflake for each person on to the jar. I assure you that children will remember which snowflake belongs to whom.
A tag is tied to each jar with their person's name. This tag serves as an invitation to SAY THE NAME of their person.
Luminaries also serve as a light in the dark . . . another beautiful reason to create one when we’re perhaps missing our person the most.
Her account is a great one to follow if there are grieving children. She shares lots of helpful ideas and resources for helping children process grief.
The Snowflake Luminary craft offers children and teens “a safe and supportive environment to talk about their person” and “a creative outlet to honor and memorialize their person.”
It’s beautiful to look at, and the meaning behind it is so important and profound.
And honestly, the Snowflake Luminary doesn't just have to be for children and teens. Anyone who is grieving may want to make one, no matter how old you are.
She includes instructions on how to make the Snowflake Luminary on her Instagram post. Check it out for the full details.
Now sure if you’re ready to start making it? Here’s the list of supplies.
- Glass jar
- White and light blue tissue paper, cut into squares
- Snowflakes (cutouts, stickers)
- Mod Podge
- Paintbrush
- Fairy lights or a tea light
- Tags, ribbon & marker
- Glitter (optional)
The holidays hurt when you’re grieving, but these little luminaries shine a literal light in the darkness. They’re a visual opportunity to honor and talk about the person you miss. And they’re a beautiful witness of the way that love lives on after death.
