Why the Festive Season Can Be a Stressful Time and How to Ease the Pressure

December 17, 2025
1:14 pm

(For families, parents, carers, business owners, foster carers, entrepreneurs, and anyone supporting children during the festive season.)

The Festive Season is often described as a magical time – full of sparkle, excitement, and celebration. But for many adults and children, especially those who are neurodivergent or managing additional emotional, sensory, or financial pressures, this time of year can also feel overwhelming.

Busy shops, flashing lights, unpredictable routines, social expectations, family dynamics, financial demands, and the general pace of December can increase stress for almost anyone – whether you’re a parent trying to keep things steady, or a business owner juggling end-of-year responsibilities.

At The Principle Trust Children’s Charity, we deeply understand the hidden emotional load that the Festive Season can carry. We wanted to share Twelve Supportive, Neuroaffirming Tips to help create a steadier, more connected season for everyone.

1. Keep Routines Where You Can

Children and adults – regulate through predictability. This is especially true for neurodivergent children and parents who rely on structure for emotional safety.

Keeping familiar rhythms (mealtimes, sleep, quiet time) can help balance the nervous system and lower anxiety for the whole family.

2. Prepare Everyone for What’s Coming

Clear information helps both children and adults feel safer.

Try gently explaining:

Who will be there
What the day might look like
When breaks can happen
Where the quiet spaces are

Predictability reduces overwhelm for everyone.

3. Create a “Calm Corner” – for Kids and Adults

A calm corner doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be:

a sofa with a soft blanket
a reading nook
a quiet bedroom
headphones or sensory tools
a dimly lit space to decompress

Let children and yourself know that stepping away is healthy, not rude.

4. Watch for Sensory Overload

The Festive Season is full of sensory triggers:

Bright or flashing lights
Loud playlists and crowded rooms
Strong smells (food, candles, perfume)
Itchy clothes or new outfits
Excitement, noise, and constant interaction

Sensory overload can look like withdrawal, shutdowns, tears, irritability, or hyperactivity.

Respond with curiosity, compassion, and co-regulation – not correction.

5. Keep Gifts Simple

There is no “right” number of presents. A slower pace and permission for children to open gifts in their own time – helps prevent overwhelm.

Simplicity creates space for connection and reduces pressure for adults managing budgets or expectations.

6. Build in Movement and Fresh Air

Movement regulates the nervous system.

Walks, trips to a playground, gentle stretching, or stepping outside for fresh air can help adults and children reset and return to a steadier state.

7. Manage Your Own Stress Cues with Self-Kindness

Children attune to the emotional states of adults around them.

You don’t have to be perfectly calm; simply noticing your own stress without shame is powerful. Steady is good enough. Support yourself with:

slower breaths
a sip of water
stepping outside
a brief quiet moment

Your steadiness supports theirs.

8. Protect Down Time

The Festive Season doesn’t need to be packed full of plans.

Unstructured moments – reading, resting, colouring, watching a film, or simply doing nothing – help children and adults decompress.

Rest is a form of care, not a luxury.

9. Let Go of Perfection and Expectation

Life doesn’t have to look like a holiday advert.

It’s okay if:

plans change
someone needs space
the house is messy
emotions show up
the meal is simple

Children don’t remember perfection – they remember feeling safe, accepted, and loved.

10. Ask For – and Accept – Support

Whether you’re a parent, carer, grandparent, teacher, business owner, or foster parent, you do not have to manage everything alone.

Support might look like:

asking a friend for help
delegating tasks
reaching out to a community group
using online support spaces
connecting with charities likes The Principle Trust

Help is an act of connection, not defeat.

11. Acknowledge Loneliness – For Both Adults and Children

The Festive Season can be deeply lonely, even when you are surrounded by people.

Adults may feel lonely due to:

solo parenting
caring responsibilities
being far from family
masking through social events
business or financial pressure
grief, separation, or change

Children can feel lonely too, especially when routines shift or emotions feel big and hard to name.

Loneliness is not a flaw – it’s a human experience.

If it feels safe, gently name it:
“Lots of people feel a bit lonely during the Festive Season. If you ever feel that way, you can always tell me.”

This simple statement helps remove shame.

Small acts of connection can soften loneliness:

lighting a candle for someone you miss
sending a message to a friend
doing something kind for a neighbour
sharing a walk with someone
making space for honest feelings

Loneliness becomes lighter when it is acknowledged – not hidden.

12. Let Children Choose How They Greet People

During the Festive Season, family and friends often want hugs or kisses from children and while it usually comes from a place of love, not all children feel comfortable with physical affection – especially those with sensory sensitivities. And that’s completely okay.

Instead of encouraging children to hug or kiss someone, you can gently offer them choices:

“Would you like to wave, high-five, or just say hello?”
“You get to choose how you want to greet people.”
“It’s okay if you don’t feel like hugging today.”

Giving children these choices helps them feel safe, confident, and respected. It also shows them that their feelings and boundaries matter – which supports healthy relationships as they grow – especially around consent.

Most relatives understand when it’s explained kindly, and it takes the pressure off everyone. Connection doesn’t have to be physical to be meaningful.

A Kinder Festive Season

This time of year is meant to bring connection – not overwhelm or loneliness. By slowing down, simplifying, and honouring everyone’s emotional, sensory, and relationship needs, we can create a season that feels steadier, kinder, and more meaningful.

At The Principle Trust, we’re here to ensure every family – no matter their circumstances – has the chance to rest, breathe, and reconnect.

Because sometimes, the greatest gift we can offer children (and ourselves) is a steadier nervous system, a gentler pace, and the permission to do the Festive Season in the way that truly works for us.

About the Author

Written by Yasmin Shaheen-Zaffar, a neurodivergent BACP-accredited trauma and relationship counsellor and founder of Watoto Play. Yasmin is dedicated to turning big therapeutic ideas into simple, practical tools for practitioners, families, and organisations. As a valued Patron of The Principle Trust, she is passionate about supporting individuals and families to find steadier, more connected ways to navigate emotional wellbeing.