Memorial Christmas Ornaments 2026: 5 Personalized Ways to Remember a Loved One

Quick answer: A memorial Christmas ornament gives someone you have lost a place on the tree every December. The most meaningful ones carry a favorite photo, their name and a few words such as "In our hearts at Christmas and forever." Popular styles are a clear glass photo ornament, a ceramic heart with a name, a pet memorial ornament, and a keepsake dish that stays out all year. All are personalized, made to order and priced from $16.99.

The first Christmas after a loss is often the hardest part of the year. The decorations come out of the same boxes, the same songs play, and the empty chair is impossible to miss. A memorial ornament does not fix any of that, but it gives the grief somewhere to go: a small, visible way to say they are still part of this family's Christmas. Below are five ideas, what to write on them, and how to give one to someone who is grieving.

1. A photo glass ornament: "In our hearts at Christmas & forever"

The most chosen style. A favorite photo of your loved one fills a round, beveled glass ornament, with "In our hearts at Christmas & forever" written in soft script beneath it. Glass catches the tree lights, so the photo glows a little in the evening. It works for a parent, a grandparent, a spouse or a friend, and the wording speaks for the whole family rather than one person.

Best for: a family tree, or a sympathy gift from a group. You will need: one clear photo where their face is well lit.

"In Our Hearts at Christmas" Photo Glass Memorial Ornament $16.99$25.00 Personalize it

2. A ceramic heart memorial ornament with their name

A white ceramic heart, split into two halves: a photo on one side, and on the other their name in large script, such as "Dad" or "Grandma", above the words "In our hearts at Christmas & forever" and three small trees. Because the name is the first thing you read, it feels personal to one relationship. It also looks lovely in black and white, which suits older photos.

Best for: remembering a mom, dad, grandparent or sibling by the name you called them.

Memorial Photo Heart Ornament with Name $16.99$24.99 Personalize it

3. An "Always & forever in my heart" glass ornament

Same clear glass and photo, but the wording is in the first person: "Always & forever in my heart." That small change makes it feel like your own words to them, which many people prefer for a spouse, a best friend or a mother. Choose this one when the ornament is for your own tree, and the "our hearts" version when it is for the family.

"Always & Forever in My Heart" Glass Remembrance Ornament $16.99$25.00 Personalize it

4. A keepsake that stays out all year: an in loving memory ring dish

Not every reminder needs to wait for December. This ceramic trinket tray has a blue toile border, a photo of your loved one in the center and a short line of your choosing beneath it, for example "Be the things you loved the most about her." It sits on a nightstand or dresser and holds rings, a watch or a few small treasures, so the memory is part of every day, not only the holidays.

Best for: daughters and granddaughters remembering a mom or grandma, and a sympathy gift that feels useful.

In Loving Memory Photo Ring Dish $24.99$42.99 Personalize it

5. A pet memorial ornament

Losing a dog or cat is losing a family member, and the first Christmas without them is felt in the quiet. This ceramic ornament shows a dog with angel wings sitting beside their person in the snow, with "Forever in my heart" across the top, both names below and the year on a ribbon. The scene is raised in real 3D relief, so you can feel the feathers and snowflakes. You can choose the hair and the dog breed to match.

Pet Memorial Angel Wings 3D Ornament $19.99$39.99 Personalize it

More pet and family designs are in our memorial ornaments collection.

What to write on a memorial ornament

Keep it short; an ornament has room for a name, a date or two, and one line. A few that families choose often:

• In our hearts at Christmas and forever

• Always and forever in my heart

• Forever loved, forever missed

• Your first Christmas in heaven

• Love you to the moon and back

• Their name with the years, for example "Margaret, 1948 to 2026"

If you are unsure, use the name they were called at home ("Nana", "Pops") rather than their full name. It is the version the family will recognize first.

How to choose the right one

• Photo choice. Pick a photo where they look like themselves and their face is in focus. A candid smile often means more than a formal portrait. Crop so the face fills the middle of the frame, and avoid very dark or blurry pictures.

• Glass or ceramic. Glass is clear and catches the light, so it looks best on a lit tree. Ceramic is opaque with a glossy white finish and a little more weight, so the photo reads clearly in daylight, on a mantel or on a stand.

• Our words or my words. "Our hearts" suits a family tree or a gift from a group. "My heart" suits a personal tree or a gift to a widow or widower.

• Spelling. Personalized pieces are made exactly as typed. Check names, dates and nicknames with a family member before ordering.

• Timing. Every piece is made to order, so order by mid-November if it needs to arrive before a holiday gathering, and earlier if it is a sympathy gift being sent to another state.

Giving a memorial ornament as a sympathy gift

A memorial ornament is one of the few sympathy gifts that is still kept years later. A few things make it easier to give:

• Ask for the photo kindly, or use one you already have. A picture of the person with the recipient is often the most treasured.

• Give it before Christmas, not on Christmas Day. Early December lets them decide privately where it goes on the tree.

• Add a short card. One sentence is enough, for example "I thought they should be on the tree this year."

• Think beyond the first year. The second and third Christmas can be just as hard, and a remembered name means a lot then too.

Ways to keep them part of Christmas

• Hang their ornament first, together, as the opening of decorating day.

• Give it its own branch near the top, or a small stand on the mantel. Our guide to displaying Christmas ornaments has ideas for keepsakes you want to protect.

• Cook one of their recipes, or play the Christmas song they always sang along to.

• Invite everyone to share one memory of them at dinner.

FAQ

What is a memorial Christmas ornament?

It is an ornament made in honor of someone who has passed away, usually with their photo, their name and a short line such as "In our hearts at Christmas and forever." Families hang it on the tree each year as a way to include that person in the holiday.

Is a memorial ornament an appropriate sympathy gift?

Yes, especially for the first holiday season after a loss. It is personal without being overwhelming, and it can be kept for years. Giving it in early December, with a short card, lets the family choose when to put it up.

What photo works best on a memorial ornament?

A clear, well-lit photo where their face is in focus and fills the center of the frame. Phone photos work well. Black and white photos also print nicely, especially on ceramic.

When should I order a memorial ornament for Christmas?

Order by mid-November so there is time for personalization and delivery before the holidays. If it is a gift that must reach another state before a family gathering, order earlier.

See every design in our memorial ornaments collection, or browse more memorial gifts and keepsakes for the rest of the year.