The holidays are a wonderful time where the cocoa’s hot, the lights are tangled, and everyone’s slightly frazzled. Along with magic and meaning, the holiday season can also be overwhelming, which makes kids feel anything but calm.
Big crowds, flashing lights, and routines turned upside down, special days full of surprises and excitement can quickly turn unsettling or overstimulating. For children with sensory needs, these unpredictable experiences can be the icing on the cake to a meltdown or tantrum.
The good news is that with planning and a few simple tools, you can prepare your child and create a truly sensory-friendly, warm, and calm environment at home and at holiday parties to bring a little more cheer and a little less chaos to the most wonderful time of the year.
Below are practical, evidence-informed strategies you can start using today.
1) Start with predictability: routines and visual schedules
When routines change, anxiety is quick to follow. Before any holiday event, preview the day so your child knows what to expect.
- Create a visual schedule. Use pictures or simple words to outline the day: wake-up, breakfast, drive, event, quiet time, dinner, and bed. Build in choices (e.g., have your child pick out the snack for your family, the color of their shoes, what game to play in the car, etc.) to promote a sense of security and predictability. Post the plan on the fridge or bring a portable version.
- Prime the senses. If an event may include music or flashing lights, show photos or short videos in advance, and offer choices: “Do we want to arrive early before it gets crowded or later when it’s quieter?”
- Practice “first–then” language. This is especially helpful if your child has difficulty moving between activities. By giving them support on what to do first and then next, you support their executive functioning and sequencing skills at a time when they need you most. Examples include: “First coat and shoes, then pick out a song for the car ride or first two books, then a break in the quiet corner.” Predictable phrasing helps the holiday season for your child feel safer and more manageable.
2) Design a Calm Corner at home:
Just like you and I need time to catch our breath during the holiday season, so do our kids; they just don’t know how to do it.
A home “calm corner” is a dedicated retreat that reduces multi-sensory input so the child enters a state of “rest and digest”. Calm corners can be as simple as a corner in the house with a favorite pillow, blanket, and calming stuffed animals.
- Choose a low-sensory spot, think: dim lighting, soft seating, and minimal decorations.
- Stock regulation tools. Fidgets, chewy jewelry, weighted lap pad, favorite book, and noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. Tonies are also a good addition to a calming corner!
- Create a routine for use. Teach a cue (“Let’s visit our calm corner”) before your child feels overwhelmed. Using it early prevents escalation. Take hot cocoa breaks in the cozy corner, or schedule 5 minutes of “cozy corner time” daily to help your child become familiar with taking a break amidst the holiday bustle.
- Get creative! Kids constantly look for novelty and excitement. Encourage your child to use an old blanket and rename the cozy corner their own “indoor snowball fort” or blanket fort.
Travel tip: Pack a “mini calm kit” or a sensory backpack for transitions. A small fidget, their favorite crunchy snack, and one item that helps your child feel safe (stuffed animal or comfort object) can go a long way.
3) Gear that helps (and how to introduce it)
Tools are most effective when they’re familiar, comfortable, and practiced in advance.
- Headphones/earplugs: Try different styles of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs at home with favorite songs or white noise.
- Visual supports: Timers, first–then cards, or a simple “feelings chart” help kids communicate needs and emotions.
- Clothing: Choose soft fabrics, tagless layers, and comfy shoes. Pack a backup outfit.
- Seating and spacing: If a table is crowded, let your child sit at the end or at a side table with one buddy.
Introduce tools during everyday routines first, so they feel normal—not a last-minute fix.
4) Plan the flow of the day: arrive early, leave early (or both)
Crowds and noise build over time. For many families, earlier arrival times mean fewer lines and gentler sensory input.
- Scout the space. On arrival, identify exits, bathrooms, your calm corner, and outdoor breaks.
- Use micro-attendance. 20 minutes of positive participation beats 2 hours of overwhelm. Give your child a clear time frame: “We’ll stay for one song and dessert, then take a car break.”
- Protect quiet times. Schedule decompression before and after events—pajamas, low lights, and a predictable bedtime routine can reduce anxiety and help reset after stimulation.
5) Reframe “participation” and celebrate small wins
Participation isn’t all-or-nothing. For example, smelling the holiday cookies and stirring once may be enough this year. Standing near the tree from a distance might be this season’s victory.
- Offer jobs with structure. Handing out napkins, putting bows in a basket, or setting a small table provides purpose without pressure.
- Use strengths. If your child loves trains or animals, layer those interests into décor scavenger hunts or conversation starters.
Every comfortable minute at a holiday event is a win worth praising.
When to seek extra support
If holiday gatherings consistently lead to meltdowns or long recovery times, consider partnering with an occupational therapist experienced in sensory regulation. A brief consult can fine-tune strategies, practice gentle exposures, and tailor supports for your child’s unique profile.
At Sasco River Center, we help families build practical plans for sensory experiences—from décor changes at home to big community events. Our team collaborates with you to create individualized strategies, visual tools, and routines that fit your traditions and goals.
We’re here for families in Darien and Wilton
Whether you’re hosting, traveling, or attending a single holiday event, you’re not alone.
📍 Connect with our clinicians in Darien or Wilton, Connecticut for a personalized holiday plan.
📞 Call (203) 202-7654 or email hello@sascoriver.com to schedule a consultation and make this season more comfortable, connected, and truly sensory friendly.
With preparation, compassion, and the right tools, you can shape a holiday that honors your child’s needs—and celebrates your family’s unique way of being together.