
SIDS of Illinois, Inc.
In the belief that every baby should live...
Ways to commemorate your baby during the holidays
Buy a gift for a child in need that is the same age and sex your child would be
Hang a stocking for your baby and allow family members to write messages to your child and put them in the stocking. They can be later kept in a scrapbook or diary.
Meet at the grave and light a candle; sing a favorite holiday song
Plant a tree in memory of your child
Set up a scholarship in your child's name at the local college or your alma mater
Listen to music that reminds you of a happy memory with your child
Have a charcoal drawing made of a favorite photograph
Donate books in honor of your child to your local library or school
Wish upon a star... name a star after your child
Make a quilt or quilt square in honor/ memory of your child
Journal, journal, journal.
Write a poem or story in honor of your child
Put a photo of your child in a locket to wear on a chain
Plant a garden in honor of your child
Support local and national fundraisers
Using a favorite photo, you can have your child's likeness etched on to a locket or jewelry disc
When family photos are taken, have someone hold a portrait or photo of your deceased child
Draw a heart and put your child's initial inside of it and use it when you correspond with friends and family.
Write and sing a song for your child
Make a button with your child's photo on it
Create Wreaths with mementos of your child- like rattels, pictures, booties, pacifiers,etc.
Place a Christms Tree at the cemetary, family and friends can also bring tiny ornaments to trim the tree
Write a note to your child and put it inside of a balloon, fill it with helium and then release it.
Instead of signing your baby's name on a holiday card, add a symbol such as a butterfly, angel, heart, flower, balloons, ladybug or a rainbow. You can add their initials as well.
Make a video with all of your still photos
Place a flower on the grave- yellow roses signify remembrance
Hang a windchime outside your window
Purchase or make special holiday ornaments each year
Help put together a local memorial service or service of remembrance for you and other bereaved families
Buy a "brick" at a local park with your child's name on it
Donate your time and talent to a local charity in honor of your child
Light Candles in remembrance

Make a shadowbox with memories of your child
Stamp art- make greeting cards in memory of your child
Place an ornament on the memorial tree at the mall during the holidays
God’s Lent Child
I’ll lend you for a little while, a child of mine, God said, for you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead. It may be six or seven years, or forty-two or three But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief You’ll always have his memories as a solace in your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught below I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked this whole world over in my search for teachers true. And from the folk that crowd Life’s lane I have chosen you. Now will you give him all your love and not think the labour vain, Nor hate me when I come to take this lent child back again?
I fancy that I heard them say “Dear God, thy will be done. For all the joys this child will bring the risk of grief we’ll run. We will shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may. And for all the happiness we’ve ever known, we’ll ever grateful stay. But should the angels call him much sooner than we’d planned. We will brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.”
~ Author Unknown