Surviving Christmas: Autism-Friendly Tips for the Holiday Season
Christmas can be a challenging time of year, even without the added stresses that autism can bring. From sensory overload to disrupted routines, the holiday season often requires creative solutions to ensure it’s enjoyable for everyone.
My biggest advice? Do what feels right for your family. Traditions don’t have to be followed if they don’t work for you. It’s okay to adapt or create new ones that suit your needs.
Here are some challenges we’ve faced during Christmas and the solutions that worked for us and other families. Hopefully, they’ll give you ideas for managing the holiday season.
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The Christmas Tree Challenge
One of the biggest hurdles we faced was Emily’s fascination with the Christmas tree—pulling it down, taking off decorations, and generally not leaving it alone. Over the years, we’ve tried several strategies to make it work:
1. Start Simple
We began putting the tree up bare for a few days, allowing Emily to get used to it before adding anything else. Then, we added lights only. After a few days, we decorated the tree from the top down, step by step.
Did it work perfectly? No.
Did it help? Yes, absolutely!
2. A Tree of Their Own
We gave Emily a small tabletop tree with her own felt decorations. She could touch, play, and decorate her tree however she wanted. If she touched the big tree, we gently redirected her to her own. This helped significantly.
3. Wall-Mounted Felt Tree
One year, we used a felt tree on the wall with felt decorations Emily could play with.
Pro Tip: Avoid using Velcro dots to attach it to the wall—they peeled the paint off in our case!
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Good News: Progress Happens
Fast forward to this year—Emily is now 10 years old, and I’m thrilled to say she leaves the Christmas tree alone completely. Even our almost 4-year-old Labrador, Bella, has learned to stay away!
We finally felt confident enough to splurge on a new tree and decorations, and it’s been a joy to see everything come together.
If you’re struggling with these challenges now, take heart. It won’t always be like this.
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Alternatives to a Traditional Christmas Tree
Remember, you don’t have to put up a Christmas tree if it doesn’t work for your family. There are plenty of other ways to make your home feel festive:
Window Stickers: These are a huge hit in our house!
Festive Tablecloths and Mats: Add holiday cheer without the risk of breakage.
Decorations and Ornaments: Once your child is ready, you can slowly introduce more traditional decorations.
This year, we’ve finally been able to decorate more freely, and it’s a wonderful feeling. My husband even splurged on ornaments and decorations to make our home extra festive this year. 🎅
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Takeaway for Parents
If you’re finding the holiday season overwhelming right now, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to adapt traditions or skip them altogether if they don’t work for your family. The most important thing is to create a holiday that feels joyful and manageable for everyone.
And remember—things can and often do improve over time.
Have your own tips or stories about navigating Christmas with autism? Share them with us on our Facebook page!