Our Tip of the Month: A Heartwarming Gift for a Grieving Friend – The Memory Jar

Start the year with intention: Give a grieving friend a year of meaningful memories

Our Tip of the Month

The beginning of a new year often brings promise and hope. But for someone you love who is grieving, it can also feel heavy. They might need a little extra support to face the months ahead.

If a friend is entering the new year carrying a loss, this month’s tip — a Memory Jar — can offer comfort and inspiration. By collecting memories of their loved one, they can have a gentle, tangible way to look back and feel the love throughout the year.

Give them a jar filled with simple notes on beautiful, colored paper, each one recalling a memory of their loved one. With every note they read, they receive the gift of remembrance and connection.

And it couldn’t be simpler.

How-to Suggestions:

1. Purchase a large pickling jar and use a sticky-back label to handwrite the name of your loved one. Tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar to make it feel extra special.
2. On a small piece of colorful paper, write down one memory of your friend’s loved one. It could be something they once said, words they expressed, a shared experience, a favorite saying, a trip you took together, or a joke they loved. Every memory, no matter how small, is a meaningful gift.
3. Fold the note and place it in the jar.
4. Encourage others to contribute, too. This can become a beautiful group activity, with each person sharing a memory and signing their name on a colorful note.
5. Aim for at least 12 notes — one for each month of the year — but more is even better.
6. Use a large square of wrapping paper to wrap the jar, gathering the excess at the top. Tie it with a ribbon to create a lovely, gift-ready package.

A Memory Jar is a gentle way to open your heart. Writing down and sharing memories is a simple act, yet it creates enduring expressions of love. It also offers your grieving friend a quiet reminder that they are supported, and that the moments friends shared continue to matter.

Sometimes, all it takes is a small, intentional gesture to unlock cherished memories and bring comfort. There’s no better time than the start of the year to fill everyday life with love, intention, and golden moments.

May We Suggest:

Healing with Craft: A Sachet for the Stages of Grief

A DIY sachet can bring comfort and warmth during the grieving process

A Teaspoon of Sugar & Memories: The Grieving Candle

DIY candles made with a loved one’s cup are a comfort during the grieving process

Our Weekly Tip: “Love Box” for Children in the Stages of Grief

An easy healing craft to help kids express their grief