Six Strategies to Reduce Holiday Stress when Welcoming Young Children as Guests, Benefiting All Participants

Six Strategies to Reduce Holiday Stress When Welcoming Young Guests, Benefiting All Parties Involved

Our initial vacation with our child was challenging. We were visiting relatives in a different time zone, and he was ready for his usual nap just as everyone else was enjoying their holiday feast. It felt quite isolating, and we missed out on numerous family traditions that year.

In the hectic period leading up to the holidays, it's easy to focus on decorating your home for guests but overlook the needs of the younger visitors who are accompanying them. Particularly if you don't see them often, young children might feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, while their parents may feel stressed about maintaining their child's usual routines away from home.

Here are some effortless strategies to help kids (and their parents) feel more comfortable when staying in your home during the holidays, allowing them to savor the season's excitement.

Implement basic safety measures

If your nieces or nephews tend to explore at knee level and grab whatever they can get their hands on, take a few easy steps to safeguard your holiday decorations. The parents will thank you for it.

Elevate fragile ornaments on the tree to a safer height.
Conceal or tape wires and cords on the floor to prevent tripping hazards.
Protect electrical outlets with covers and consider installing childproof latches on low-lying cabinets that contain potentially hazardous materials (such as cleaning agents).
Keep holiday plants like mistletoe out of reach, as they can cause stomach discomfort if ingested. You might also opt for artificial plants as a safer alternative.

Request information about routines, allergies, and food restrictions

In retrospect, this is where things could have been handled differently when my son was an infant. Hosts who demonstrate an understanding of visiting parents and their young child's schedule can make those guests feel more valued members of the celebration. While you don't have to alter your holiday plans significantly, a brief conversation with parents about their child's routines, allergies, or food restrictions can significantly enhance the enjoyment of the festivities and minimize any last-minute trips to the grocery store on a snowy Christmas Eve.

Greet kids with a welcome gift

For young ones, spending the holidays in an unfamiliar house can feel strange. A simple act of kindness, like offering them a small gift basket filled with inexpensive toys and treats, can help make them feel more welcome. This gesture could also provide them with some entertainment while you catch up with your loved ones.

Pull out the games

If young children are staying with you for a few days, they may ask if you have any toys or games, or even start searching for them without permission. If they are staying in a guest room, make their search easier by placing a few of your own items on their bed so they can play while they wait for Santa to arrive.

Create a play area for your party

Hosting a Christmas party doesn't mean you have to exclude young guests. We were delighted when we received an invitation to a Christmas party that explicitly stated kids were welcome. Upon our arrival, we discovered the hostess had thoughtfully set up a child-proofed play area filled with coloring books, crafts, and toys, allowing us to take turns socializing while the kids were occupied.

Inform parents (and their kids) that it's okay to create a mess

I'll always cherish the memory of celebrating Thanksgiving with a dear friend (who is also a parent) when my oldest was just two years old. Before we arrived, we spent a significant amount of time packing everything we could to prevent our son from creating a mess or throwing a tantrum during dinner, as we didn't want to stay too long.

As we sat down at their dining room table, there was a note on my son's plate that essentially said: "Be as loud and messy as you want. We want you to feel welcome." One small note went a long way in making us feel appreciated instead of like an intrusion. Since then, I've made an effort to extend this same kindness to anyone who enters our home, recognizing that any mess can be easily cleaned up.

Encourage young guests to participate in decorating

My mother-in-law is a regular customer at craft stores, and always has an ample supply of crafts my kids can use to help decorate her home. The moment one project is finished, another one is waiting in the wings. Soon enough, the house is adorned for the holidays with things my kids have made, which they take pride in showing off. This act brings joy to my mother-in-law and makes her home feel like theirs, and that's what the holidays are all about, isn't it?

Despite the challenges of our first holiday with our child, we can learn from the experience to better host little kids during the holidays. For instance, communicating with parents about their child's routines, allergies, and food restrictions can make them feel more valued members of the celebration. Additionally, creating a play area for young guests or encouraging their participation in decorating can help make them feel welcome and included in holiday celebrations.