Inclusive Christmas Checklist
Are you Christmas ready? While Christmas is typically considered one of the happiest times of the year it can also comes with some stresses. Consider Christmas from this perspective:
- Routines are gone! In the lead into Christmas many of our daily and well entrenched routines are disrupted, school is finished, higher education is on holidays, many workplaces are also on leave or operating different hours. This means our regular daily commitments are different, but also our siblings/children/partners/parents are home when they aren’t usually or they are out when they would typically be home! Extracurricular activities often take a break and even TV programming changes over the Christmas period!
- Our world looks and sounds different! Houses and shops are decorated in a way we are not used to and we hear carols when we are used to listening to SA-FM.
- Christmas holds many unknowns AKA stressors! What is in the wrapping paper? Will the gift I give be liked? What time does Santa arrive? Will I get the gift I wanted?
- Sensory chaos- Christmas crackers, wearing paper crowns, menu changes, flashing Christmas lights, the smell of a fresh pine tree, decorations that fall off the tree unexpectedly and frustratingly, napkins and placemats make an appearance for the first time since the last fancy family dinner, the list goes on!
So considering this how can we support Christmas day to run smoothly?
- The truest and most important part of Christmas day is that it brings Joy, so consider what does Joy mean and how can we use acceptance and inclusive practices to support everyone experiencing their version of Joy on Christmas day. Santa is an empathetic and inclusive guy and he is willing to create new traditions or modify existing ones if it means Christmas can be enjoyed by all!
- Provide predictability- a visual schedule, visual menu and timeline for Christmas day are great starting points. For some people who dislike surprises, it may even be worthwhile avoiding the element of surprise and giving advanced visibility on what gifts they are getting on the day. Social scripts and video models of various elements of Christmas day eg opening presents, accepting presents graciously or popping Christmas crackers can help build predictability too.
- Breaks, break. breaks! Make sure breaks are part of the schedule for the day! Even for those who love Christmas it is an exhausting day, making sure some quiet time is planned for the day is a good idea! Give family and friends pre warning for example “we will pop outside for a walk at 11am and 1pm and we would prefer to go just the two of us to give Timmy a break and a chance to regulate, it is not that we aren’t having fun or we don’t appreciate your efforts but a break is the best way to keep everyone happy and calm”.
- Picking battles- for those with specific diet requirement who may want chicken nuggets or chips for lunch while everyone else is feasting on prawn cocktails that is fine! An out of the ordinary day with lots of unknowns is not the day to push boundaries on food choices! If you are eating at someone else’s home you may consider taking the menu item you know will be happily eaten or even take a separately packed meal of preferred foods.
- Have sensory tools at hand! Don’t go anywhere without the tools that help you and your loved ones regulate, this might mean headphones or ear buds to reduce noise or allow discreet music access, a wobble cushion to keep a mover seated at the table longer, deep pressure cushions or clothing or fidgets galore. (fidgets and sensory tools make great stocking stuffers!)
- Greetings and farewells that incorporate hugging and kissing can be a sensory and social challenge. Consider pre deciding a more comfortable greeting for example a Hi 5 or just saying “hello” and letting the rellies know beforehand as this can help reduce the chances of awkward hellos and goodbyes! This includes with the big guy! Santa photos where personal space is adhered (ie not sitting on his lap) is totally fine and encouraged!
- Consider Christmas week not just Christmas day- Having a quiet calm day prior to and post-Christmas day could be a smart move for those who may be exhausted by the changes to routine and social interactions Christmas days brings.
Hopefully these are a few tips that help your day run smoothly and enable everyone to have their bit of Joy on Christmas day.