What do I gift someone who has lost a child?

When choosing a gift for someone who has lost a baby, it's important to select something that honors the memory of the child and provides comfort to the grieving parents. Personalisation adds a meaningful touch, showing that you understand the significance of their loss and are offering a thoughtful, heartfelt gesture. Here are some personalised gift ideas that can help express your sympathy and support:

1. Personalised Memorial Jewelry

• Engraved Pendants or Bracelets: Jewelry such as necklaces or bracelets with the baby’s name, initials, or birthdate can be a beautiful and intimate way to keep the baby’s memory close. Some pieces allow for engraving with a meaningful quote or symbol, such as an angel, heart, or birthstone.
• Fingerprint Jewelry: Some jewelers offer the option to engrave the baby’s fingerprint or footprint onto a pendant or ring, creating a deeply personal and unique keepsake.

2. Customised Memory Box

• Keepsake Box: A personalised memory box engraved with the baby’s name or a special message can provide a space for the parents to store precious mementos, such as ultrasound photos, hospital bracelets, or a lock of hair. This box serves as a private, special place for the parents to hold onto their memories.
• Photo Memory Box: A memory box with a frame on top can allow the parents to display a cherished photo of their baby, combining functionality with a beautiful tribute.

3. Personalised Memorial Ornament

• Christmas Ornament: A custom-made ornament featuring the baby’s name, birthdate, and a meaningful design, like angel wings or a star, can be a comforting reminder during the holiday season and throughout the year. This ornament can be a part of the family's Christmas tradition, keeping the baby’s memory alive in a special way.
• Year-Round Ornament: Some ornaments are designed to be displayed year-round, serving as a constant symbol of the baby’s presence in the family’s heart.

4. Custom Artwork

• Personalised Print or Canvas: Consider commissioning or purchasing a piece of artwork that can be personalized with the baby’s name, birthdate, or a special quote. This could be a watercolor painting, a drawing, or a digital print featuring symbols like stars, butterflies, or rainbows.
• Tree of Life or Family Tree: A custom artwork that incorporates the baby’s name into a family tree or a Tree of Life design can be a meaningful way to acknowledge the baby’s place in the family.

5. Personalised Candle

• Engraved Candle: A memorial candle with the baby’s name, birthdate, and a special message or quote can offer comfort, especially during difficult moments. Lighting the candle can become a ritual for the parents, offering a moment of peace and reflection.
• Photo Candle: Some candles can be customised with a photo of the baby, making it a deeply personal keepsake that also provides light and warmth.

6. Custom Star Naming

• Name a Star: You can name a star after the baby, providing the parents with a certificate and a star map showing where the star is located in the night sky. This symbolic gesture can offer comfort, as it suggests that the baby’s memory will shine brightly and eternally.

7. Personalised Blanket or Quilt

• Memory Blanket: A soft blanket embroidered with the baby’s name, birthdate, or a comforting phrase can provide physical and emotional warmth. Some blankets can be made from clothing or fabrics that have special significance, adding an even more personal touch.
• Personalised Teddy: A small teddy customised with baby's name and other details make a comforting toy for younger family members in particular. 
• Memory Quilt: For a more elaborate gift, consider a memory quilt made from pieces of fabric that hold meaning to the parents, perhaps from baby clothes or blankets.

8. Customised Garden Stone or Plant

• Engraved Stone: A personalised garden stone engraved with the baby’s name, a meaningful symbol, or a special message can be placed in a garden or a special outdoor spot. It serves as a lasting tribute in a place where the family can go to remember their baby.
• Memorial Tree or Plant: Gifting a tree or plant that can be planted in memory of the baby, accompanied by a personalised plaque or tag, can be a living tribute that grows and thrives over time, symbolizing the enduring memory of the child.

9. Personalised Storybook

• Custom Storybook: A personalised storybook that tells a comforting tale and includes the baby’s name can provide a gentle way for parents to remember their child. This book can be kept as a cherished keepsake that offers comfort and a way to share the baby’s memory with siblings or other family members.

Conclusion

Selecting a gift for someone who has lost a baby is a deeply sensitive and meaningful gesture. These personalised items not only honor the baby’s memory but also provide the grieving parents with a tangible reminder of their child’s impact and presence in their lives. The thought and care put into choosing such a gift can bring a measure of comfort during an incredibly difficult time, reminding the parents that their baby will always be remembered and cherished.