Usually posts are easy for me to write. The words flow out of my mind and into the computer with no problem. But this is not one of those posts. This is a hard post. A sad post. A missing my dad post.
Last year my dad passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. I miss him every single day.
When I had to help my mom and sister clean out his closet earlier this year, I couldn’t bear to give away all of his things. So I packed up some of his favorite shirts and brought them home with me.
I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do with them, but I knew I’d think of something. And a few months later, in the middle of the night, I did. I decided to use some of my dad’s old shirts and his handwriting to make Christmas memorial ornaments for myself and my family.
I didn’t think that I’d share this project on my blog, but when I saw how much these ornaments meant to my family members, I decided to post the project.
I know there are others of you out there, just like me, who are missing loved ones every day and especially at the holidays. So I wanted to share my idea of how you can honor them and remember them with special DIY Memorial Ornaments that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
Supplies Needed to Make DIY Memorial Ornaments
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- Clear glass ornaments or clear plastic ornaments
- Fabric scissors (regular fabric shears or pinking shears)
- Card stock
- Scanner or copier
- Hole punch
- Metallic tinsel cord
How to Make DIY In Memory Ornaments
First, gather your loved one’s shirts. You’ll have a good cry at this point. I guarantee it.
Once you’ve calmed down and wiped away your tears, cut the shirts into strips. I cut my dad’s shirts into strips about 1″ wide and about 4 or 5″ long.
Next, put the strips of fabric into a clear glass or plastic ornament. Alternate the patterns or colors as you place them inside so that you get a good variety once the ornament is complete.
Now, if you have a card or note from your loved one, this step will help make the ornament even more special.
I had a note from my dad that he wrote right before he went into surgery. (I cherish this note!)
Scan the note into your computer as a photo. Then, crop the photo in photo editing software (like the photo software pre-installed on your computer or the online service PicMonkey), to be the person’s signature, and then save that signature as a new photo.
Once you have that new photo, print it onto card stock.
Cut out your loved one’s note, punch a hole in it, and tie it onto the ornament with pretty ribbon or string.
And with that, you’ll have a beautiful and personalized ornament to honor your loved one at Christmas and always.
If you don’t have a note from your loved one to include their handwriting on the tag, you could make a tag of your own with their name or something else that is meaningful to them and you.
I would give anything to have my dad back with me for another Christmas, but at least I have a little something of his with me this holiday.
Christmas was always so special with my dad, because every year he was the one who turned on the Christmas music for present opening, handed out the gifts, and maintained the all-important gift wrap trash bag. He was the best. (Here he is with my family on Christmas 1994 or so.)
So for those reasons, and countless others, I can tell you that this ornament hangs in a place of honor on my Christmas tree. It is front and center, and that’s where it always will be.
I hope that you’re not missing anyone special this Christmas, but if you are, I hope you know that you’re not alone. You will get through it. Peace and love to you at Christmas and always.
Brenda says
That is so sweet. My dad died few weeks ago. Hard to part with his clothes.
Bre says
Brenda, I am so sorry to hear this. So tough to lose a parent, I know. Please take care of yourself and take all the time you need to go through his things. Love and hugs to you.
Pauline Morris says
What an awesome gift!
Bre says
Thank you, Pauline! <3
Mary Esther says
Bre, I hope you know how you help people during a difficult time. I lost my daughter, brother and mother all within the span of less than a year apart. I know you posted this several years ago but here it is December 2022 and you’re still helping people bring their loved ones into the holiday. I have other memory items made already but just this year thought about doing this. First time I’ve put a tree up in 6 years. Please know that not only will I think of my precious angels I’ll think of you and all the others that share in love and loss. I wish you blessing this season and always. Thank you.
Susan Carson Bowser says
Thank for this post. I too lost a loved one this year, my mom. I was wondering how to stretch her memory across several states for siblings. I still have all her belongings that I’m not ready to part with. Thank you for the great idea. Sniff, Sniff.
Bre says
Susan, I am so sorry for your loss! The holidays make it extra hard. I am glad this post sparked some ideas for you. Hugs!
Jean says
I did something similar in memory of my husband. I took the order of service from the funeral and cut it up and placed the pieces inside a glass ornament. I like your idea of a note to attach. I have a special note “going out for coffee. I love you.” to copy and attach for this Christmas.
Thank you so much. It’s so important to do things like this to help us cope with loss.
Bre says
Oh, Jean – I am so sorry for your loss. Your ornament sounds beautiful. What a wonderful idea. And the note you’re going to attach made me tear up. So lovely. Hugs and blessings to you.
Cindy says
Thank you so much for this great idea , our family lost our dear 21 year old nephew to cystic fibrosis this October and I want to make a remembrance ornament for each family . This is such a easy and beautiful remembrance. I know I will also be in tears when I make them. Happy holidays
Bre says
Cindy, I am so sorry for your loss. That is awful – a life gone too soon. If you did make these, I hope your family was glad to receive them. Such a loss.
Libby says
Thank you for sharing this. My FIL is in hospice right now, and he will most likely not live to seeThanksgiving, let alone Christmas this year. He was visiting us a few weeks ago and left 3 shirts behind. I will be using those 3 shirts to make ornaments for my husband’s family. I know they will cherish them as much as you cherish yours.
Bre says
Libby, I am so sorry to hear this. How sad. I know how hard this is, especially at the holidays. I pray for comfort for your family during the difficult days ahead. Love to you all.
Kara Price says
Thanks for this idea. We just celebrated our first Christmas without my mom (who also had brain cancer). Pinning this idea for next Christmas.
Bre says
Hi, Kara – I am so very sorry for your loss. I know the pain you’re feeling and I can only hope that you are able to cherish the memories of your mother and find comfort in them in the coming days. If you ever need a fellow brain cancer listening ear, feel free to email me (averagebutinspired@gmail.com).
Beverly Yarborough says
Bre,
Thank you for sharing something that is so personal. I lost my Daddy in 2006. There is not a day goes by that I don’t miss him like crazy. Our birthdays are 3 days apart and he passed away the day after my birthday. I wish my Mom would’ve kept more of his clothes. However, I do have 1 of his work shirts, his fire uniform, and 1 of his flannel shirts which he wore all fall abd winter. I would love to fix something like your ornament to put on my Christmas tree. I wish you happiness this Christmas season and that you have your Dad’s presence with you.
Bre says
Hello, Beverly – thank you for your incredibly kind note! I am so sorry that I didn’t reply sooner. We were moving and then with the holidays things got crazy. Anyway, I am so happy that you have some of your Father’s clothes so that you might be able to make them into a memorial ornament. I know they’re special treasures on their own, too. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and am thankful you stopped by my blog. xo
Robin says
I love this post. I am going to try it with my dad’ s ties. I will zigzag the edges after I cut. I miss my dad every day. He has been gone since 1995. Happy 2019!
Bre says
Oh, Robin! I am sure that will be beautiful. I am sorry for the loss of your father, but I’m so glad you can make a special memento to honor him!
Lorena says
What an amazing gift. To have that to remember and cherish AND to honor them and have them with you during a special holiday. I don’t have the words for the emotional event as these are explained and handed out to family. Truly something special. Thank you for sharing this, inspiring us all and allowing us to honor your father as well. hugs.
Bre says
Hi, Lorena. Thank you so much!!! Your kind and thoughtful comment means more than you could know. Thank you for being so sweet.
M. S. says
Over the years I have saved the gift tags that are on the presents from loved ones, until now wasn’t sure what i was going to do with them, now I do! Thanks for inspiring me!
Bre says
That is brilliant! How special that you’ve saved those tags! I’m going to start doing that, too. Thanks for sharing your great idea!
Megan says
I lost my dad this year and I’m going to make these for my family tonight, as I kept some of his shirts as well.
It was so hard to read this as I feel everything you wrote so deeply. Sending you love for this christmas season as well.
Thank you for this idea. Now time to dig up my keepsakes and look for a note I’m pretty sure I saved from him, definitely will result in a good cry. Will be worth it to have this beautiful keepsake to pull out every year!
Bre says
Megan! Thank you for this beautiful note. I’m sorry it took me so long to respond; I got really behind with Christmas prep and my kids’ winter break. Anyway, I know this Christmas was very hard for you. It is SO DIFFICULT to miss a loved one at Christmas. I pray you found comfort in the love of your family and that you were able to find joy in the season despite missing your dad. I hope that 2018 is a better year for you and your family. <3
julie says
I had seen this ornament in your Christmas pictures but did not realize it’s meaning. …and now understand how comforting it would be. Especially his personal note to you. Something to cherish forever.
Bre says
Thanks, Julie! Yes – it is really special!
Amy | Canary Street says
Bre, I teared up reading this. What a beautiful idea to create an ornament with some of your dad’s shirts. Thank you for sharing.
Bre says
Thank you, Amy! 🙂 It was definitely a hard post to write, but I’m glad I did it. xo
L. Elliott says
This will be a terrific way to use my FIL’s ever present Hawaiian shirts. Thanks for posting this.
Bre says
Hi, Laurie – oh that is perfect! I hope the ornaments turn out amazing and that you and your family love them. Thanks for stopping by and leaving this nice note. Happy holidays!
Tami Gail says
Thank you for sharing this. My big brother passed away for few years ago and each year I am wanting to do something special in his remembrance for my family. I know this gift will be cherished by all of them.
Bre says
Hi, Tami – First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a family member. I am glad this idea may work for you and your family. I wish you peace and comfort this Christmas!
Meg @ Green With Decor says
Oh Bre, this made me cry. What a special way to remember your dad at Christmas. I just love that you can include his handwriting on the ornament. Hugs, friend. 🙂
Bre says
Thank you, Meg! 🙂 Yes, the handwriting part really made me cry a lot! I am so happy it’s on there though. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great holiday season.
Breanna says
Aw Bre this is so special. I can only imagine how hard it is especially around the holidays and this is the perfect little reminder that your dad will always be there with you. XO
Bre says
Thank you, Bre! Yes, the holidays are always harder. But I have to say that I LOVE seeing this ornament filled with memories of my dad right on the tree. Thanks for your kind comment!
Sarah says
These are beautiful, Bre. What a sweet way to remember loved ones. Hugs to you, sweet friend. <3
Bre says
Thank you, Sarah! xo
Emily says
Oh Bre, I am tearing up as I read this. This is such a wonderful idea, and your handwritten tags make these even more special. Wishing you comfort and love this holiday season <3
Bre says
Thank you so much, Emily! This was a tough post to write, that’s for sure, but your sweet note is appreciated!