Preparing for a Calm Christmas
Christmas can be magical – but it can also be overwhelming. Bright lights, noisy gatherings and changes to daily routines can make the festive season a little tricky for children with additional needs. With a bit of preparation, you can help your family enjoy a calmer, more predictable Christmas this year.
We’ve gathered together some simple ideas, supportive tools and free printable resources to help families plan ahead for a peaceful festive season.
Plan Ahead for Calm
Start by thinking about which parts of Christmas your child enjoys most – and which parts might cause anxiety. Keeping familiar routines wherever possible and using visual supports to explain what’s coming next can make a big difference.
We’ve already shared lots of practical Christmas tips for children with SEN on our website, including sensory strategies and advice for preparing your home environment.
For those who find visual structure helpful, tools like the TomTag Christmas & Birthdays Sticker Pack can be a great way to show what’s happening next — from decorating the tree to opening presents. It helps children feel more secure, included and ready for the day ahead.
Choosing Gifts and When to Buy
Finding thoughtful gifts for children with additional needs can take time — especially if you’re looking for sensory toys, communication tools or practical supports that will genuinely be used and loved.
The best time to shop is during our Black Friday Weekend. It’s the only time of year that, as a not-for-profit, we’re able to offer discounts. With over 200 products in our seasonal collection, you’ll find something for every age and ability — all while helping us continue to support families across the UK. Take a look now and see what is coming up.
Shop the Black Friday Collection
Create Calm Spaces
Busy days and visitors can be exciting but overwhelming. Plan a quiet area where your child can take a break if things feel too much. It could be a small corner with soft lighting, a blanket, noise-reducing headphones, or a favourite toy.
You’ll find lots of sensory-friendly toys and calming aids in our shop to help create that peaceful space – from weighted lap pads to fidget tools and textured cushions.
Download Your Free Calm Christmas Pack
To make things easier this year, we’ve created a free printable pack of planning tools and checklists designed especially for families of children with additional needs. It includes:
- ✅ Christmas Calm Checklist – simple sensory reminders
- 🎁 Gift Planning Sheet – track favourites and preferences
- 📅 Visual Christmas Planner – personalise your routine
- 🕯️ Quiet Space Ideas – easy ways to create calm zones
- 💖 Kindness Calendar – 12 gentle acts to do together
Everything is designed to print in black and white, with simple icons and layouts that work for families and schools.
In Summary
Every family celebrates differently – and that’s okay. A calm, joyful Christmas doesn’t have to be picture-perfect. It’s about finding what works best for your child, building in breaks, and keeping the focus on comfort and connection.
From all of us at Fledglings, we wish you a peaceful and happy festive season.
Fledglings is a not-for-profit supporting families of children with additional needs. 100% of profits are reinvested into providing advice, resources and inclusive products that make everyday life a little easier.