Lisa Henry, Bereavement Coordinator/Counsellor at Wakefield Hospice, shares her helpful tips around dealing with loss and bereavement at Christmas. Five Festive Tips for Christmas... Christmas Texts not Christmas Cards – Christmas may present the first time you have to write a card, or lots of cards, without signing your spouses or loved ones name. If it doesn’t feel right for you this year, consider swapping to a festive text message instead. Don’t rely on alcohol - it may seem to help at first, but it is known to reverse its own effect. Try to get outdoors, enjoy fresh air and drink water on a daily basis, it may take an effort to do this, but it will be beneficial on many levels. Family memory making – whether creating memory boxes as a family or alone, or creating a jar of memories with children, it can really help to focus on reflecting in a positive way. Some items may remind you of a loved one, but it is the love and memories contained within these items which is the really special element. Don’t hide away – it is OK to want to be alone, but do try to accept invitations from those who you are comfortable and safe with, even if it is for a brief hour or so rather than the pressures of a full day. Signposting - There are lots of free services which are available to support anyone dealing with bereavement, at Christmas and indeed all year round. Wakefield Hospice is able to offer bereavement support to service users who are known to the hospice, but the below services are just some of the other organisations which may be of help: Samaritans: www.samaritans.org / 116 123 Cruse Bereavement Support: www.cruse.org.uk / 0808 808 1677 Good Grief Trust: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org Read More: Surviving Christmas - Intro Surviving Christmas - Acknowleding Differences Surviving Christmas - Finding the right balance Surviving Christmas - Conversations