The holiday season is upon us, and you’re probably busy decorating your home in all its festive glory. As you prepare for the holidays, consider adding new traditions and holiday decor that cater to your family, especially for your children with special needs.
Tailor Holiday Traditions for Your Family
Let us help you incorporate ways to customize your family’s holiday traditions, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity that specifically accommodates and celebrates the unique needs of your child:
- Sensory-Friendly Family Night: Enjoy an evening with a holiday classic (like Home Alone!). Dim the lights, adjust the volume of the TV depending on your child’s needs, consider adding closed captioning, grab some fidget toys or even a weighted blanket, and start the movie, making sure to hit pause if there are any questions or snack breaks.
- Virtual Celebrations: For families separated by deployment, lean on technology to bring a sense of togetherness. FaceTime and Zoom are great ways for military families to connect with loved ones across the miles. Unwrap presents together via video calls and share stories or updates on recent school activities.
- Gift Wrapping for All: Create an adaptive gift-wrapping station with your family. Include different textures of wrapping paper, easy-to-grip scissors, holiday gift bags and tissue paper, and large pre-made bows. If you have a label maker, they are often helpful for those who cannot write small enough for a gift tag. This allows everyone, regardless of fine motor skills, to participate in wrapping gifts for family and friends.
Sensory-Friendly Holiday Decor
There are many ways to incorporate holiday decorations to make your home warm and inviting for everyone. Here are some sensory-friendly holiday decorations we’ve used with our children with special needs:
- Soft LED lights help provide a gentle glow without being too bright or harsh.
- Flashing lights may be overstimulating for some children. Consider string lights that have options to choose between flashing and non-flashing.
- Pro tip: Avoid glass ornaments on the bottom half of your Christmas tree. We want children to explore but safety comes first.
- Be careful of hanging stockings on mantles as children tend to pull on them.
Connect with Community Support
Reach Out to Military Support Programs
We encourage you to explore holiday assistance programs provided by military support organizations. These programs often offer resources, gift assistance, and opportunities to connect with other military families. Operation Homefront is a non-profit organization that proudly supports military families. Their Holiday Meals for Families annual program aims to provide 500 holiday meal kits to military families. Additionally, check with your local community organizations that offer holiday events.
Attend Inclusive Events
Look for inclusive holiday events in your local military community, to include the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) at your local installation. These gatherings provide an opportunity for military families with children with special needs to come together with those who “get it”, share experiences, and create lasting bonds.
Prioritizing Your Well-Being
Don’t forget to make time for yourself by enjoying activities that bring you relaxation and joy. Book a massage or a facial, take short breaks throughout the day, work out, listen to a new podcast, journal, read, or practice mindfulness.
If your family receives respite care, consider booking a staycation overnight with your spouse over the holidays. Some activity gyms and community organizations hold holiday break camps or parent’s night out evenings.
Parents often put themselves last. Make sure to prioritize your self-care for maintaining your own mental and emotional well-being this holiday season.
Conclusion
This holiday season, let your traditions reflect your family’s love and connection across the miles. Find joy in personalizing your celebrations with inclusivity at the forefront. Whether it’s a sensory-friendly movie night, virtual gatherings that bridge distances, or a creative gift-wrapping activity, each tradition becomes a chapter in your family’s holiday story. Happy holidays, and here’s to joyous traditions made uniquely yours!
About the Authors
Michelle Norman, Founder & Executive Director
Michelle Norman is the Executive Director and Founder of Partners in PROMISE, a non-profit organization focused on educating, advising and advocating for exceptional military families and their education. She is a Navy spouse of over 25 years and mother of a 18 year old daughter with cerebral palsy and many other medical diagnoses. After years of successfully advocating and winning multiple legal cases to ensure her daughter receives the minimum education required by law, Michelle realized that she was not alone. After seeing a gap in support, the Virginia Beach resident has become a passionate advocate for all military children with special needs and their families.
Carly Brinsko, Content Manager
Carly Brinsko is the Content Manager of Partners in PROMISE. She is a devoted mother to two children, Colton and Wyatt. Currently residing near Fort Liberty, North Carolina, Carly’s fondest duty station memory is from Fort Knox, Kentucky, where she cherished the small-town atmosphere and warm southern hospitality. Carly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, which she earned in 2006. From 2007-2009, she dedicated herself to pursuing a Master’s Degree in School Counseling while working full time and graduated with honors, showcasing her steadfast commitment to personal growth. As a former educator and school counselor, Carly possesses firsthand experience in addressing the challenges of navigating special education. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent PCS move, Carly took on the role of homeschooling her children. Currently, she works in Quality Assurance & Compliance with an educational software company.
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