Scrapbooking as a Therapeutic Tool for Grieving Families During the Holidays

The holiday season is often synonymous with joy and celebration, but for families coping with grief, this time of year can be particularly challenging. Creating a space for healing is crucial, and one therapeutic outlet that proves to be both meaningful and comforting is scrapbooking. Bringing children, youth, and families together to engage in this creative process fosters a sense of connection and provides a constructive way to navigate the complex emotions associated with grief.

Yorktown’s Growing With Grief program hosted a family Winter Break Scrapbooking Event for young people ages 0-29 and their families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or custodial caregiver to offer a tangible and visual platform for individuals to express their feelings and memories. As families gather around tables filled with photographs, mementos, and art supplies, they embark on a journey of remembrance. This shared activity not only honors the person or people who have died but also allows them to celebrate cherished moments and discuss difficult ones.

For children and youth, scrapbooking becomes a language through which they can articulate their grief. It encourages open conversations about their emotions and memories, fostering a supportive environment where feelings are acknowledged and validated. This collaborative effort helps break down communication barriers and reinforces the understanding that it’s okay to grieve and remember during the festive season.

The act of creating a scrapbook is not just about preserving memories; it’s about actively processing our grief. By transforming grief into a shared, creative endeavor, families can find solace and strength in each other. Scrapbooking serves as a therapeutic tool that not only honors the past but also orients us to the future, creating space for families to invite in hope, resiliency and a renewed sense of unity for the coming year.

Ten adults and 16 children and youth attended the Growing With Grief Scrapbook event. We are pleased to share what participants had to say:

From Youth

• 16 year old: “I like that the staff took time to spend with us and asked me questions about my grandma and gave us ideas of what we could do to remember her.”
• 8 year old: “This event helped me talk to my mom.”
• 5 year old: The most important thing I learned: “Learning more about daddy.”

From Caregivers

• “I felt/learned that its okay to be sad around the holidays.”
• “I felt connected to my kids. I learned I need to slow down and talk to my kids more about how they feel.”
• “I learned how my son feels about his sister.”
• I learned “that the holidays will look different but that is okay.”
• “This event help to keep the family close and remember the family we lost”
• “[Family Events] are a great way to remember your loved one and to share these beautiful experiences with others going through similar grief as well.”
• I would tell other grieving caregivers “That healing is possible”
• “We really appreciate these events. Thank you.”
• “Thank you very much for everything and for continuing to support others.”

“This was my first time attending a Growing With Grief Family event as a staff.” Shares Preston Steinke, our new Growing With Grief Team Member and Grief-focused Family, Child and Youth Therapist. “I was struck by the richness of community that was quickly nurtured between participants. I am grateful to help hold space for families to process and grieve together.”

If you know a child or youth who is grieving the loss of a parent, caregiver, or sibling, we are here to help.  Please reach out to Danielle at daniellec@yorktownfamilyservices.com, or visit our Growing With Grief Webpage.