Looking for a holiday gift for a grieving young person? We turned to the real experts—our Youth Advisory Board, a group of thoughtful teens who’ve experienced the death of someone close to them. We asked them to share the most meaningful gift they received in their grief. As you’ll see, the gifts that mattered most weren’t flashy or expensive—they were personal, sentimental, and rooted in connection. We hope their shares inspire you.
STICHED ITEMS (T-shirts, quilts, pillowcases)
Amber:
“When I was 10, I lost my dad to a heart attack. A family friend gave me a blanket made from his old T-shirts, sewn together into a collage that captured his personality. My dad loved shirts with funny sayings, and his humor is in every square. When I wrap myself in the blanket, it feels like a hug from him.”
Sydney:
“When I was seven, my dad passed away from pancreatic cancer. My mom made pillows for me and my brother using his old ties. He had so many—some for work, some for fun. Every time I see the pillow, I think of him. We both still keep them in our rooms.”
CJ:
“When I was three, my dad died from a blood clot in his lungs. One of my mom’s friends made a quilt for me and my brother that we still use today. It’s created from shirts that show the things he loved most: the Cardinals baseball team, the college he went to in Missouri, a Cancun shirt from my parents’ honeymoon, and even pictures of his kids. This quilt helps me understand the kind of man he was.”
<<Want to buy a meaningful customized quilt for the grieving young child in your life? Experience Camps approved vendor: Project Repat: Buy a custom quilt through this link, and Experience Camps will receive $10 for every item purchased.>>
CUSTOMIZED OR WORN JEWELRY
Teelin:
“My father died when I was four from a heart condition. He was a well-known sculptor and artist. For my 16th birthday, my uncle gave me a necklace with my dad’s signature—the same one he used on his artwork. I’ve worn it ever since. I like to think of myself as one of my dad’s pieces, and wearing his signature brings that to life.”
Ellen:
“When my father died, my aunt gave me a necklace with his thumbprint on it, and my mom gave me one that holds some of his ashes. I still wear them every day. These gifts mean so much because I can keep a piece of my dad close to my heart. Losing a parent is indescribable, and even something small—like a simple necklace—can help you feel their closeness.”
Leila:
“My mother and her two best friends all had matching oval rings they wore every day. My mom died of cancer when I was 12. Two years later, my aunt gave me the same ring that her best friends had. My mother loved jewelry, and wearing this ring makes me feel closer to her. I never take it off.”
<<Want to buy a meaningful piece of jewelry for the grieving young child in your life? Experience Camps approved vendor: Amelia Rose. For every purchase made with code EXCAMPS, 30% will be donated to Experience Camps through 12/15. Buy a piece of jewelry here.
The best gifts for grieving kids aren’t always https://ameliarosejewelry.com/the biggest or the newest. They’re the ones that help them feel connected to the person they’re missing. Whether it’s something soft to hold, something made with care, or something they can wear close to their heart, these gifts offer comfort that lasts far beyond the holidays.
