It can be difficult to know what to give someone who has experienced pregnancy and infant loss for the holidays when what they long for the most is gone. Our team at Return to Zero: HOPE created this gift guide featuring the meaningful gifts they were given in memory of their babies or in honor of their losses, items they gifted to others who have experienced loss, or something special they wished someone would have given them.
We hope these gift suggestions help bring light in a time of darkness and send strength and peace to those who need it most this season.
GRIEF JOURNAL
“An illustrated journal for meeting grief with honesty and kindness, like this one from Megan Devine, helped me to honor my loss, rather than packing it away. For an extra thoughtful idea, I would include some pens to go with it.” - Holly Ann, Community Engagement Team
2. PERSONALIZED JEWELRY
”As a gift for bereaved parents, I always recommend jewelry/necklace symbolizing their baby either by the first letter of the babies name, or a symbol they connect to, or a birth stone of the month the baby was born/stillborn in.” - Jen, Community Support Team
“I love these personalized pendants. Someone could put the first letter of their baby’s name on it. I had one just like this. And this bracelet is an easy gift that any loss parent would cherish.” - Natasha, Board of Directors Chair
3. SEND A VIRTUAL CARD
“Wrap your love around those who need it most with personalized holiday and greeting e-cards. Each card not only carries your heartfelt message but also supports RTZ's vital work as a donation to our non-profit. Whether you're sending warm wishes to surviving parents, cherishing the memory of a precious baby, or extending compassion to others, our collection of designs has the perfect card for your needs.” - RTZ Staff
4. CONNECTING WITH NATURE
“I love this beautiful memorial wind chime as a remembrance or keepsake gift.” - Shianne, Community Engagement Team
“My work team planted a grove of trees in a national forest in my home state in honor of my son with the company, A Living Tribute. It means so much to me to know they'll grow and thrive for decades to come.” - Jessica, Support Group Facilitator
“Gift bereaved parents with a plant/tree for their garden/yard to memorialize their baby/loss.” - Jen, Community Support Team
“I received this tiny Jizō monk from a friend after losing our son in 2021, and it’s one of my most cherished items on my alter! I purchased one for each of the support group members in one of the Ending a Wanted Pregnancy group I co-led this year. The Jizō is a Buddhist deity, believed to help lost babies/fetuses/embryos to the other side by carrying them in his pockets.” - Emily, Support Group Facilitator
5. BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
“A Gift of Time: Continuing Your Pregnancy When Your Baby's Life Is Expected to Be Brief” by Amy Kuebelbeck - Betsy, Director of Community Support
“An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination: A Memoir” by Elizabeth McCracken - Natasha, Board of Directors Chair and Ryan, Support Group Facilitator
“Three Minus One: Stories of Parents' Love and Loss” edited by Sean Hanish & Brook Warner - Natasha, Board of Directors Chair
“The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief” by Francis Weller - Betsy, Director of Community Support
6. FOR KIDS
“On the one year date of our twin daughters birth and passing we received this bouquet of Lego flowers. It was a tangible way for our living children to participate in their grief. They were able to build these flowers as a way to honor and remember their sisters. These flowers stay with us, just like the memory of our daughters, as opposed to real ones that would have just had to be discarded a few days after receiving them. This bouquet of Lego flowers still sits on the table next to a photo of our daughters.” - Anita, Community Support Team
“We received many children's books after our twin daughters were born and passed away. We keep this stash nearby so on the hard days we can read these books together as a family. Reading these books help us feel the roller coaster of emotions and have allowed us to have hard conversations about life and death with our living children.” - Anita, Community Support Team
“Some Babies” by Holly Ann Abel
“Here in the Garden” by Briony Stewart
“Always Remember” by Cece Meng
“Why Do Things Die?” by Katie Daynes
“The Rabbit Listened” by Cori Doerrfeld
7. FOR PARTNERS
“My husband loves football and was excited to share that love with our son. His best friend knew that and sent this with our son’s name and handprint. My husband really loves it.” - Jessica, Support Group Facilitator
“This men’s customizable leather bracelet can be engraved with one or several names for a wonderful remembrance gift.” - Betsy, Director of Community Support
8. COZY COMFORT
“Items that provide warmth are so important for comfort. A heating pad for postpartum cramps or a heated blanket to help regulate the body and calm the nervous system are both essential items for healing.” - Holly Ann, Community Engagement Team
“A pillow to hug. I sent to long distance friends and told them to squeeze it and imagine a hug from me. Also this remembrance blanket has a heartfelt message that you can snuggle up with.” - Jessica, Support Group Facilitator
“Warm, fuzzy socks are like a balm for the soul.” - Jessica, Support Group Facilitator
“Weighted stuffed animals provide a special kind of comfort. A friend gave me one that weighed 2 pounds (my baby's weight when he was delivered) that I cherish”. - Jessica,
“I always suggest Molly’s Bears for grieving families impacted by infant loss.” - Jen, Community Support Team
9. CANDLES
“This candle is a great gift option that provides much needed calm and comfort. It has rose to uplift, pink quartz for love, and cinnamon for energy.” - Natasha, Board of Directors Chair
“Laurelbox is my go-to grief support gift. This company was founded to support those walking through a loss. They have a variety of hand made gifts such as candles, jewelry, keepsakes, and self-care items. Seeing our baby's names written out is soothing to my soul and I hope others feel the same way when they receive a similar gift.” - Anita, Community Support Team
“Laurelbox is a fantastic site I’ve used to send personalized candles and windchimes to my grieving friends.” - Jessica, Support Group Facilitator
10. ORNAMENTS
“Have a personalized Christmas ornament made for bereaved parents. Perhaps with their babies name or birthstone on it.” - Jen, Community Support Team
“Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS) released their first commemorative holiday ornament collection, with beautiful options for families, rainbow babies and remembrance.” - Dorienna, Board of Directors member
11. SELF-CARE
“I love spending an extra 5-10 min in the shower and just taking deep breaths with one of these steamers when I need an extra moment of self-care. And this gift pack of organic lip balms soothe dry lips and provide some much needed aromatherapy.” -Jessica, Support Group Facilitator
“I always recommend the company Spoonful of Comfort for everything.” - Ryan, Support Group Facilitator
”Spoonful of Comfort soup is DELICIOUS, the packaging is so sweet, and their blankets/socks are incredibly soft and cozy.” - Jessica, Support Group Facilitator
12. IN MEMORY OF DONATIONS
"Shortly after my daughter passed, I received an email that a donation was made in her honor. There's something so special seeing your baby's name honored in such a permanent way and knowing it will help others." - Shianne, Community Engagement Team