The Laurelbox Holiday Gift Guide: Meaningful Remembrance Gifts for Those Grieving This Season

By Lanna Britt at laurelbox

The holidays have a way of making grief louder. The familiar carols, the empty chair at the table, the traditions that now feel like a reminder of who is missing can make December feel less like a season of joy and more like a season of survival.

I remember our first holiday season after losing our second son Cooper at full term in March and then losing another baby late in the first trimester right after Halloween. I definitely felt more like Ebenezer Scrooge and less like Buddy the Elf. If we hadn’t had our then toddler Trey I’m sure I would have skipped Christmas decorations, turned off the radio and said “Bah, HUMBUG!” to any carolers who dared approach my door. 

If someone you love is carrying grief this holiday season, please please please reach out to them. Don’t let the holidays go by without checking in. However, I realize that’s easier said than done if you are unsure what to say or what to do. Flowers seem too temporary. A card feels too small. And scrolling through generic gift sites ahead of Black Friday doesn't help.

The desire to support grieving hearts is exactly why the team at Laurelbox intentionally created their new holiday collection - and all the pieces are so special! Every item is chosen to comfort those who are missing someone they love, to acknowledge the loss without trying to fix it, and to give the bereaved something they can hold onto long after Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” song stops being played EVERYWHERE. 

This guide explores the full collection — organized by who you're shopping for, what moment you're trying to mark, and what kind of comfort you want to send.

A note on timing: Laurelbox ships within 1-3 business days from our warehouse in Cincinnati, Ohio. If you're sending for a specific holiday or remembrance date, ordering early gives you peace of mind so don’t leave it until the last minute (this from a world-class procrastinator!) 

Not every gift fits every loss. The collection spans ornaments, candles, garlands, mini trees, jewelry clutches, and more — so the best starting point is thinking about who you're shopping for and what kind of comfort will resonate most.

For Someone Who Lost a Parent, Sibling, or Close Family Member

These gifts honor the relationship and give the recipient something to display, wear, or light as part of their holiday remembrance rituals.

Why ornaments matter: A holiday ornament isn't just decoration. For the bereaved, hanging a memorial ornament is an act of acknowledgment — a way of saying "you belonged here, and you still do." It's one of the few gifts that gets taken out year after year, making it one of the most lasting gestures you can send.

I speak from personal experience. I have a few Laurelbox memorial ornaments for our lost babies as well as my late father and each year I think it’s so special to include them in our decorations and use them as a way of sharing stories with our young children. 

For Someone Experiencing Their First Christmas Without a Loved One

The first holiday season after a loss is often the hardest. The traditions are intact but the person is missing, and that absence is felt acutely. For this recipient, a gift that specifically acknowledges the difficulty of this moment is more meaningful than one that tries to be cheerful.

• Memories Shine Bright Holiday Gift Box ($33): Includes a personalized ornament tag and a copy of A Practical Guide to Grieving During the Holidays — a small but genuinely useful booklet for navigating the season.
• A Practical Guide to Grieving During the Holidays ($6): A standalone add-on that pairs beautifully with any other gift in the collection. Practical, honest, and kind.
• Save a Seat for Me Holiday Swag ($78): A handmade evergreen swag with a red velvet bow, copper bells, and a wooden tag. Limited edition and made with real care — this is the gift for someone you want to show up for in a big way.

"Perfect way to let someone know you are thinking of them. These gifts are so much more meaningful than just sending flowers." — Kiera, verified customer

I actually just ordered the “Save a Seat for Me Holiday Swag” for a friend who lost her mom to cancer a few weeks ago. I know this Christmas will be bittersweet and this is one small way of letting her know she’s loved and seen. Because I know her daughters are grieving too, I added in the Look For Me In Rainbows Sun Catcher Decal Set ($22). 

For Someone Grieving a Pet

Pet loss is real grief, and the holidays make it sharper. The empty bed by the fireplace, the missing stocking — these small absences accumulate. Laurelbox's pet memorial holiday gifts validate that grief without minimizing it.

• Pet Memorial Sun Catcher Ornament ($27): Engraved with the pet's name and a paw print, with a crystal prism that catches the light.
• Favorite Hello Pet Memorial Ornament ($27): Gold acrylic with a red ribbon, personalized with the pet's name.
• Custom Dog or Cat Memorial Ornament ($25): Rose gold mirrored acrylic with "Forever Loved" and the pet's name engraved.
• Friend to the End Pet Memorial Ornament ($27): Black and gold acrylic — a more modern, striking design.
• Custom Pet Memorial Gift Box (from $60): A full curated box with a personalized candle and memorial ornament. The most complete option for someone navigating pet loss this season.

For Someone Who Lost a Baby or Experienced Pregnancy Loss

This is one of the most underacknowledged forms of grief, particularly at the holidays. A gift that names the loss and says "I know your baby was real, and I remember them too" can be profoundly healing. Speaking from experience here, friends. 

• Angel Baby Ornament ($24): A white ceramic ornament with gold artwork depicting a parent and child, with a hanging initial charm. Gentle, beautiful, and specific to infant and pregnancy loss.
• In Memory Feather Ornament ($27): I personally really like this one for child loss also. You have the option to add a name charm (up to 12 characters) that makes it really personal. 

"What a beautiful way for a child lost to be remembered. This piece says it all. Sometimes words are futile and the heart just needs to see with the eyes." — Elizabeth W., verified customer

Holiday spending can easily get out of control. That’s why Laurelbox always tries to offer beautifully sourced gifts at every price point. The holiday collection covers a wide range, so there's something meaningful at every spending level.

Under $30: Small Gestures That Say a Lot

These gifts are simple, beautiful, and easy to add to a card or care package. They work especially well when you want to acknowledge a loss without making a big production of it.

• I am Always with You Cardinal Ornament ($24) — Round maple wood with a hand-engraved cardinal. Cardinals carry deep spiritual symbolism for many grieving families. I have this one in honor of my dad. 
• On Angel's Wings Ornament ($24) — White resin with gold detailing and a custom "MOM," "DAD," or name tag.
• In Memory Feather Ornament ($27) — A bestseller for good reason. Hand-carved mother-of-pearl with gold edges. 201 5-star reviews and counting.
• Always Shining Sun Catcher Ornament ($27) — Engraved with a name and a crystal prism drop. Hangs beautifully near a window.
• Forever Among the Stars Custom Ornament ($27) — Layered gold and white acrylic star with "Forever Among the Stars" and the loved one's name.
• Personalized Memorial Clutch ($27) — A blush satin jewelry pouch with "Forever Loved" and a custom name in gold foil. Pairs perfectly with any jewelry gift. There is even an option to add interior engraving with a favorite poem, quote, or personal message, printed along the inside flap. Super unique and special! 
• Cardinals Appear When Angels are Near Birdseed ($18) — A personalized birdseed mix with a cardinal illustration. Quiet, thoughtful, and something the recipient will use.

$30 to $80: The Sweet Spot for a Meaningful Gift

This range gets you into curated gift boxes and statement pieces that feel substantial without being extravagant.

• Memories Shine Bright Holiday Gift Box ($33) — A ready-to-send box with a personalized ornament and the holiday grief guide.
• In Memory Feather Garland ($37) — White beaded garland with gold charms engraved "Loved" and "Missed." Drapes beautifully on a mantle or tree.
• Sound of an Angel Garland ($37) — Upcycled copper bells on twine. Each ring is a gentle reminder of the person who is missed.
• Let their Light Shine Custom Memorial Candle ($35) — Green glass with a personalized "In Memory of" label. A lasting presence on any holiday shelf.
• Cardinals Appear When Angels are Near Custom Candle ($35) — Red frosted glass with a cardinal and pinecone design. Seasonal and striking.
• Sound of an Angel (from $58) — The bestselling gift box: a brass bell ornament and feather keepsake, beautifully packaged. 
• Custom Pet Memorial Gift Box (from $60) — Candle and ornament together, personalized with the pet's name. A complete gesture for someone grieving a beloved animal.
• Personalized Remembrance Tabletop Tree ($70) — A miniature Christmas tree with a custom engraved ornament. A centerpiece for remembrance that can be displayed year after year.
• Save a Seat for Me Holiday Swag ($78) — Limited edition. Handmade evergreen swag with a red velvet bow and copper bells. The most visually stunning piece in the collection.

$80 and Up: When You Want to Show Up in a Big Way

These are the gifts for the people in your life who are carrying the heaviest grief this season — the ones for whom a card just isn't enough.

• When Cardinals Appear Angels are Near ($125) — The most complete gift in the collection: a curated box with wooden ornament, custom memorial windchime, a personalized candle, and a cardinal birdseed mix. For when you want to say "I see you" in every possible way.

Not sure where to start? Laurelbox also offers a build-your-own option — choose individual items and they'll package them beautifully. It's a good path if you want to combine a candle, an ornament, and a table top tree with a personal note into one cohesive gift.

Personalization is what takes a gift to the next level of thoughtfulness. When you engrave a name, a date, or a meaningful phrase on a keepsake, you transform it from a beautiful object into an irreplaceable memento.

Most items in the holiday collection offer personalization. Here's how to make the most of it:

What to Personalize

• The loved one's name — The most common and most meaningful choice. Seeing a name on an ornament or candle label is a form of acknowledgment that the person existed, mattered, and is still remembered.
• Relationship terms — "Mom," "Dad," "Gramsie," "Papa" — these work especially well on the On Angel's Wings Ornament and the Personalized Memorial Clutch.
• Dates — A birth year, a loss date, or both. Particularly meaningful on the Their Name, Always Custom Memorial Ornament.
• Short phrases — "Forever in our hearts," "Until we meet again," "Always with us." These work well on candle labels and the Memories Shine Bright Holiday Ornament.

Adding a Personal Message

Every Laurelbox order includes the option to add a personal message on a sympathy card. If you're not sure what to say, keep it simple and honest. Something like:

"I know this season is hard without [name]. I'm thinking of you and want you to know you're not alone."

You don't need to have the perfect words. Showing up is the message. The gift carries the rest.

For more guidance on what to write, Laurelbox's grief support resources offer articles on navigating difficult conversations and finding the right words during the holidays. There’s also a blog I wrote about feeling alone during the holidays that might be helpful. 

As we all know, the holidays don't pause for anything - including grief! But a thoughtful gift can make the season a little more bearable for the people you love who are carrying loss.

Every item in the Laurelbox holiday collection is hand-packed in Cincinnati with care, personalized to honor a specific person, and shipped directly to the recipient with your message. Whether you spend $18 or $125, what you're really sending is the reminder that someone sees them in their grief and that they are not alone.

You can also explore curated gift boxes ready to ship, browse bestselling sympathy gifts, or build your own Laurelbox from individual items in the shop.