The day that is supposed to be characterized by joy, peace, and visions of sugar plums dancing in our head. A day that is supposed to evoke a sense of wonder and magic of preparing for or awaiting a festive celebration of days past and yet to come. But instead, is replaced with a sense of dread and foreboding due to the remembering and reminder that our loved one is gone. A remembering of what we long to forget and reminders that only trigger the continued weathering and cutting away of our heart and soul.

When Christmas is just days away and your loved one is no longer here for the celebration, here are some things that could assist you in alleviating the dread of Christmas day.