Family Clearing Attic After Gran Passes Away Find Wrapped Christmas Gift

While clearing out their late grandmother’s home, a Colorado family has gone viral after stumbling upon a long-forgotten Christmas gift.

Jaime Sandoval, 48, shared on TikTok the emotional moment of her teenage daughter, Lola, opening the present, believed to have been wrapped by her grandmother years ago.

Sandoval told Newsweek that the gift—with her daughter’s name on it—was found over a year after her mother-in-law’s passing, hidden in a drawer.

“My husband gave the gift to our daughter, and I decided to record the moment, not anticipating the reaction it would receive on social media,” she said.

Inside the wrapping was a green velvet box, which held a child-sized turtle necklace. The velvet box, popular in the 2000s, gave the family an indication of when she may have purchased it.

“Given that [Lola’s] grandmother began showing signs of dementia a few years before she passed, it’s clear she must have bought and wrapped the gift, only to forget about it. This unexpected find became a touching reminder of her grandmother’s love and thoughtfulness,” Sandoval told Newsweek.

The necklace has taken on a profound significance for the Sandoval family. “I don’t think the turtle represented anything specific at the time. It seemed like a simple, thoughtful gesture. Yet now, looking back, the necklace reveals a deeper meaning. It serves as a reminder that her grandmother was always thinking of her, even in moments we might not have fully appreciated,” the 48-year-old said.

As the effects of dementia started to take hold, Sandoval recalled that her mother-in-law’s affection for her grandchildren never faded.

“The necklace is only worn occasionally due to fears of [it] being tarnished. Eventually, my daughter wants to transfer the turtle pendant onto a solid gold chain to preserve the original chain,” Sandoval told Newsweek.

The clip, which has received 2 million views and counting, struck a chord with other social media viewers who were also grieving the loss of family members.

One user shared that their cousin had died in 2019 and found Christmas gifts from him. The family haven’t opened the presents yet and put them under the tree every year.

“When my grandma passed away my mom found baby boy clothes (no one was pregnant at the time), six months later, I found out I was pregnant with a boy. I swear she sent him,” another user commented.

Speaking to the reaction online, Sandoval told Newsweek that the outpouring of other users sharing similar stories about the loss of a loved one has been amazing. “It’s surreal and humbling, and I’m truly grateful for everyone’s kindness,” she added.