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The Adoptive Parent’s Essential Guide to Christmas

Christmas hasn't been off our screens just lately. Will there be enough turkeys? Will the brussel sprouts be harvested? Will the must-have toys arrive? But Christmas as an adoptive parent can be slightly different and you may need to be prepared in perhaps a different way for this special time which can arouse lots of different emotions for your loved ones.

Family walking in the winter snow

Family walking in the winter snow

With adopted families, we often find that simple and low-key celebrations are the key to a calm and happy festive period so here’s some brilliant hints and tips from our experienced adoption elves to help create a wonderful Christmas for your family…

  • Schedule a Christmas Day walk. Whether it’s before or after a delicious Christmas dinner, getting outside creates togetherness and makes the endorphins flow so don that new Christmas jumper, unwrap the shiny scooter and feel the benefits from the moment you step out the door.
  • Create a Christmas Eve Box filled with sensory surprises focussed on relaxation and calm. Think hot chocolate spoons, cosy PJs, colourful play dough, fidget gadgets (of course!),  sweet-smelling bubble bath or for slightly older children maybe even a face mask or foot scrub for a Christmas Eve pamper session.
  • Organise a family movie night. The perfect way to enjoy some low-key quality time together. It doesn’t have to be a Christmas movie either, this is all about setting your own family traditions. Here’s some movie magic inspo
    • Dr Dolittle
    • Moana
    • Matilda
    • Home Alone
    • Jingle Jangle
    • Elf
    • The Goonies (older kids)
    • The Greatest Showman
    • The Harry Potter movies
    • The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pant (older kids)
    • National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation (older kids)
  • Go on a Christmas light treasure hunt…Sometimes the hustle and bustle of Christmas markets and light switch on events can be a bit overwhelming so why not get on your bikes or in the car and check out the best Christmas lights in your neighbourhood. Spread the joy and make it extra special by creating cards with “You have the best Christmas lights in XXXXX” and post it through the letterbox of the best decorated house
  • Creative crafts – If games nights are off the menu for children who may struggle with not winning, choose crafts that everyone can get involved in and enjoy a memorable keepsake at the end
  • Start a family Bake Off – Dame Mary Berry is famously quoted as stating “Baking is physical and mental therapy” and we agree. It’s a brilliant way to spend time as a family on the run up to Christmas and is both stimulating and relaxing at the same time. Check out these tasty recipes.

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