Suitable Christmas cards after Bereavement?

[Enko]

My Friend died end of October. I have been in regular contact with her husband since. I really want to send them a Christmas card like we always have. I just don't feel " happy Christmas" or festive season is right. It will be a crap Christmas for them all. His last message was about them putting up the Christmas tree without her and how hard it had been

Is there anywhere that I can get a card that suits? I want them to know I am thinking about them. We exchanged cards every year and I don't want to stop now because she passed.

Ideally find a card that's got no wording inside and the outside doesn't include an image of a family.

Write a message along the lines of thinking of you this Christmas time. If you know them well enough add an invitation to call/meet up between Christmas and New Year if they would like, I suspect most people would shy away from it but they might love to get out the house

I’d get something with just a picture and no words. I’ve used a card of a snowdrop as a Christmas card in similar circumstances.

I had exactly the same. I got a card off Etsy that said "Thinking of you during this difficult time of year" - it was spot on and delicately designed. it was £2.99

It was very gratefully received

https://nicethingsbyhelena.com/

As previous people have said, picture and no words.

However, honestly, they won't judge either way. They're deep in their grief, and as much as you might overthink what you write in a Christmas card, this time of year will be difficult regardless, and they'll probably just be going through the motions anyway.

Both I and my husband lost uncles not long before Christmas a couple of years ago. Like you we wanted to send them something but not the usual Happy Christmas etc. We plumped for these cards from Etsy.

Thinking of You at Christmas Time Greetings Card With Envelope - Etsy UK

Thank you everyone

I found a nice one on Etsy that simply says "Thinking of you this Christmas"

We are too far for them to visit sadly.

I find so many cards have a reference to stars and robins and neither are appropriate in my case.

there are a fair few cards that say "peace" which is a good sentiment for the bereaved.

I don't know if you are in Ireland or UK but in Ireland there are no Christmas cards in the year a person has had a close bereavement. It's a tradition you don't wish them a Happy Christmas. A plain card saying sending love at this time of year but nothing with Santa's or Christmas trees etc
My Dad died almost 3 years ago. A 'friend' sent a big jolly Santa Christmas card, no mention of my bereavement. I thought it so insensitive. Maybe she meant no harm but I was so upset, how could anyone think I would have a great Christmas when it was first without my lovely Dad. Tread softly would be my advice. You sound like a kind person.

I think cards are not supposed to be sent the first Christmas

In sainsburys I bought a bereaved friend a "thinking of you, especially today" when it was her birthday. It was plain inside and could be used anytime.

For Christmas I will be sending a note, not a card.

I'm Irish and we don't generally send Christmas cards to those bereaved of an immediate family member during the previous twelve months. Here in the UK, I'll choose a card that's got some kind of peaceful image but not all singing/dancing happy happy messaging. I'll write something like... thinking of you all and remembering your dad (maybe insert Christmas memory) this Christmas.