Sensory-Friendly Holiday Traditions: Creating New Memories for Your Neurodivergent Family
The holiday season is undoubtedly a time for family, joy, and creating lasting memories; but the hustle and bustle, bright lights, and unpredictable events can be overwhelming for neurodivergent individuals. We believe in crafting traditions that consider the sensory, emotional, and social needs of every family member. Whether it’s quiet movie nights, DIY crafts, or creating a predictable holiday routine, this guide will help you design new, sensory-friendly holiday traditions that everyone can enjoy.
Cookies cool on a wooden platter with holiday decorations in the background.
Building Predictable Routines for Holiday Comfort
For neurodivergent children, routines are essential. The holidays often come with an array of events, from family dinners to gift exchanges, that can disrupt regular schedules. One way to ease this transition is by building predictable routines into your holiday season.
Create a Holiday Calendar
A visual calendar that outlines holiday activities and events can help your child prepare for changes in routine. Use symbols or pictures to represent each day’s activities, such as decorating the tree, visiting relatives, or attending a holiday party.
How to Use It:
Go over the calendar with your child at the start of each week to help them anticipate what’s coming up.
Include familiar elements in the schedule, like their regular bedtime or mealtimes, to provide a sense of normalcy amid the holiday events.
Allow flexibility by marking some "free days" where nothing is planned. This gives your child a sense of control and reduces pressure.
Practice New Activities in Advance
If your holiday traditions involve new or infrequent activities—such as attending a large family dinner or participating in a holiday concert—practice these events in advance. Use social stories to explain what will happen, what noises they might hear, and how they can respond if they feel overwhelmed. Practicing in a familiar environment first can make these activities feel less intimidating and more enjoyable when the actual event occurs.
DIY Sensory-Friendly Holiday Crafts
Holiday crafts are a fantastic way to engage in festive activities while catering to sensory needs. Creating crafts not only provides a fun, hands-on experience but also allows you to customize the activity to your child's sensory preferences. Here are a few craft ideas to get you started:
Sensory Jars for a Calming Touch
Sensory jars, also known as calm-down jars, are filled with water, glitter, and other small items that swirl around when shaken. Watching the glitter slowly settle can be a calming experience for children who are feeling overwhelmed. Customize the jar with holiday-themed items like snowflakes, small ornaments, or colored glitter to make it festive.
How to Make One:
Use a clear plastic jar or bottle with a secure lid.
Add water, glitter glue, and small holiday-themed items.
Seal the lid tightly and let your child shake the jar whenever they need a calming moment.
DIY Weighted Lap Pads with a Festive Twist
Weighted lap pads provide deep pressure input that can help calm the nervous system. Create a simple DIY weighted lap pad using festive fabric, such as holiday-themed cotton or fleece, and filling it with rice or dried beans. These pads can be used during meals, quiet activities, or whenever your child needs a bit of extra comfort.
Quick Tips:
Choose soft, cozy fabric that your child finds soothing.
Use small, evenly distributed weights to ensure comfort.
Decorate the pad with holiday appliqués or fabric markers to make it fun and festive.
Quiet Holiday Ornament-Making
Many traditional holiday crafts involve noisy tools or messy materials that can be overwhelming. Opt for quiet, sensory-friendly crafts like felt ornament-making. Felt is soft, easy to handle, and can be cut into various shapes, allowing your child to create their own holiday decorations without loud noises or sticky textures.
Quiet Holiday Movie Nights: A Cozy Tradition
Holiday movie nights can be a wonderful tradition, but for neurodivergent children, some films might be too loud, fast-paced, or visually overwhelming. Choose calming, gentle holiday movies that feature slow-moving plots, soft colors, and soothing music. Create a cozy movie-watching environment with soft blankets, dimmed lights, and snacks your child enjoys.
Movie Suggestions:
My Neighbor Totoro: A quiet, visually stunning film with a slow pace and gentle story about childhood and nature.
Kiki's Delivery Service: A heartwarming story of a young witch, offering a calming narrative with soothing visuals and a peaceful soundtrack.
The Snowman: A quiet, visually beautiful animated film with minimal dialogue, emphasizing emotion through music and imagery.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Simple animation, gentle humor, and a soothing jazz soundtrack, exploring themes of friendship and self-reflection.
The Polar Express: Slower-paced scenes with soft visuals, taking viewers on a calming winter journey filled with magical elements.
Frozen: While more action-packed, its themes of family and self-acceptance resonate with many, offering beautiful winter visuals and songs that can be comforting.
The Legend of the North Wind: An animated tale that focuses on the magic and beauty of winter, with a slower narrative and soft visuals, making it a peaceful viewing option.
Coco: Explores the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in a vibrant yet emotionally soothing way, focusing on themes of family, memory, and celebration.
Balto: A winter-themed movie that celebrates bravery and friendship with steady pacing, soft visuals, and a focus on nature, offering a relaxing viewing experience for the whole family.
Creating a quiet movie night ritual not only provides a relaxing holiday activity but also offers a break from the season's busyness. It’s a tradition that can grow with your child, becoming a comforting part of their holiday routine year after year.
Exploring Alternative Holiday Traditions
Traditional holiday events like large family gatherings or loud celebrations aren’t always suitable for every family. Exploring alternative traditions can make the season more inclusive and enjoyable for neurodivergent children.
Holiday Sensory Walks
Create a new tradition of taking holiday sensory walks through your neighborhood or local park. Look for quiet times to explore, and let your child take in the holiday decorations at their own pace. Encourage them to notice the different lights, smells, and sounds, but be ready to retreat if they become overwhelmed. Bringing along noise-canceling headphones or a comforting object can make this outing more manageable.
DIY Gift Exchange at Home
Gift-giving can be a source of anxiety, especially in large groups. Consider having a small, quiet gift exchange at home with just immediate family. Allow your child to choose gifts in advance, wrap them in their favorite colors, and set up a calm, comfortable space for the exchange. This creates a positive, low-pressure environment for the tradition of giving.
Holiday Baking with a Sensory Twist
Baking is a fun, hands-on activity that also offers a wealth of sensory experiences. From mixing dough to sprinkling decorations, baking engages multiple senses and can be tailored to your child's preferences.
Baking Tips:
Use soft doughs that are easy to manipulate for children who enjoy tactile activities.
Choose simple, quiet tools to avoid sensory overload.
Let your child customize the baked goods with their favorite colors, shapes, or textures.
Creating a Holiday Tradition That Reflects Your Family’s Needs
Ultimately, the best holiday traditions are the ones that reflect your family's unique needs and joys. By exploring sensory-friendly activities and routines, you’re not only making the holidays enjoyable for your neurodivergent family members but also building a tradition of understanding, respect, and love within your family.
If you’re interested in learning more about how we’re creating inclusive spaces for neurodivergent families, visit our resource center. Your involvement can help make our mission a reality, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about VIPS.