If you’ve ever gone holiday shopping with your autistic child, you know how quickly things can shift from calm to chaotic. 

A few years back, we took our son Peyton shopping during the holidays. Just as we thought we were wrapping up, we made one last stop. As you may have guessed, that was one stop too many for him because he was not having it! 

We were thinking we’d make it a quick trip. It was faster than we thought it would be. 

The bright lights, loud music, and overwhelming crowd finally took their toll on him. He was overstimulated, and it hit him with force. 

We were out the door just as fast as we walked in.

That moment showed me holiday shopping could overwhelm him, but with the right sensory prep, we could have handled it much better.

I’m happy to report that we haven’t experienced that kind of meltdown in any situation ever since. We do need to redirect him at times, but we’ve come a long way with a bit of preparation and practice.

Core Message:

If you’re a mom of an autistic child, like I am, you’ve likely experienced the same challenges during the holidays. 

In this post, I’ll share 7 holiday sensory prep tips and activities designed to minimize overstimulation for your autistic child. This will make them feel safer and more comfortable during the holiday season.

Quick links: I know how precious and limited your free time is, so here are some quick links to help you skim through this post if you’re short on time. Feel free to dive in wherever you need—or read the whole thing when you can catch a breather!

1. Create a Holiday Sensory Kit

2. Prepare a Quiet Space

3. Light Exploration

4. Holiday Sound Therapy

5. Scent Exposure

6. Role-Playing Social Interactions

7. Practice Holiday Outings

Conclusion

Share Your Win

Now, here we go:

❄️ 7 Holiday Sensory Prep Tips For Your Autistic Child 💙

1. Create a Holiday Sensory Kit

Create a mobile holiday sensory kit for your autistic child that includes items tailored to their sensory preferences. Because it’s mobile it’s easier for you to take when you travel for the holidays. That way you can easily create a calming space anywhere for your child to escape to if they become too overwhelmed. 

Some ideas of what you can include:

Anything your child has at home that they already use for comfort, if it's compact and easy to carry, is a good option. So please do not purchase anything you don't need to. I'm simply giving you ideas of what I use at home with Peyton and other things that help with our kiddos at school.

That said, please note that as an Amazon Associate, at no extra cost to you, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to reduce the volume of holiday music or chatter. These are the ones Peyton uses if he ever needs to. They block out loud noises but still allow him to hear what's going on around him.

• A small weighted lap blanket for comfort and grounding.

• A small tent or sensory play tent

• Fidget toys like stress balls or stretchy bands to help them stay focused or calm. Peyton loves these robot letters. They help build his fine motor skills, keeps him calm and he gets to do his favorite thing -build words- all at the same time.

• Chewable jewelry for children who need oral sensory input.

• A favorite book

• Sunglasses for if bright lights are a trigger. (Yes, sunglasses indoors are perfectly okay if they help your child feel more at ease.)

• Favorite textures like soft fabric, a small stuffed toy, or squishy items.

How to Use: Before any planned events, introduce the kit and let your child explore the items. Figure out what works best for them. Encourage them to use the tools during the gathering when they feel stressed or need a sensory break. Having the familiar items can give them a sense of control and calm during holiday activities.

Celebrate the Wins: When your child uses their sensory kit to calm themselves, celebrate their growing independence! This is a huge step in learning how to self-regulate.

Real-Life Application: This is how Peyton taught us to help him deal with overwhelm. When he was about three years old, he started asking to take his shoebox filled with his favorite alphabet or number toys on car rides with us.

These are his "robot letters" if you'd like to check them out. I underestimated that he'd be able to manipulate them when he was 3 years old. I'm so glad I was wrong.

It works about 99.99% of the time. This, along with some Baroque music, relaxes him so well. To this day, either one of these will help keep him calm, so he’s ready to tackle anything whenever we go.

Familiar, comforting items can make a big difference for our kids. A holiday sensory kit can do the same, helping your autistic child navigate busy environments. You can also create themed sensory kits to use year-round.

2. Prepare a Quiet Space

Having a designated quiet space can make all the difference for your autistic child, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. 

Whether at home or visiting family, this space should be a calming, low-sensory place where they can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. 

Before visiting family or friends, ask if there’s a quiet room available where your child can relax if needed. Or bring a small tent that can be used to create a calming corner. You can also bring comforting items from home—like your sensory kit with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, etc. —to create a familiar and soothing atmosphere. 

Communicate your autistic child’s needs and potential triggers to your family in advance. Share effective calming strategies and ensure everyone understands that it’s perfectly fine for your child to take a break if they need some space.

With some creativity, you can even create a quiet space in your car when shopping becomes too overwhelming for your kiddo. A walk outside is also an option to decompress and come back relaxed.

P.S. Please be safe when choosing any of these options outside of your home. Whenever possible, let others know where you’re going and have them keep watch for you. Be sure the space is also free of anything harmful to your child but also public enough.

Celebrate the Wins: If your child chooses to use their quiet space or recognizes when they need a break, celebrate it! It shows growth in their ability to manage their emotions and sensory needs, which is a significant step toward self-regulation.

3. Light Exploration

Are holiday lights both exciting and overwhelming for your autistic child? To help them adjust, why not start by introducing holiday string lights in a controlled, calm environment at home?

Allow them to interact with the lights, to give them a chance to process the bright, twinkling sensations at their own pace.

Celebrate the Wins: If your child handles holiday lights calmly, even for just a moment, celebrate! These small successes can build their confidence and tolerance for brighter, busier environments.

4. Holiday Sound Therapy

If your autistic child has sensitive ears holiday events can be noisy and overwhelming. By slowly introducing your child to holiday music at home, you can help them become more comfortable with these sounds. You can even let them control the volume. This helps to empower them and reduce their anxiety. 

This process not only helps them adjust to loud holiday environments but also boosts their emotional development as they learn to manage their reactions to unfamiliar sounds.

Celebrate the Wins: When your child enjoys holiday music or tolerates noisy environments, no matter how brief, take time to celebrate their sensory progress.

5. Scent Exposure

Holiday gatherings and stores often have strong scents like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine, which can be overwhelming for an autistic child.

Slowly introducing these scents at home helps your child adjust to them before they encounter them in public spaces.

You will not only prepare them for sensory triggers but also develop their ability to regulate emotional responses to new experiences.

Celebrate the Wins: When your child experiences these holiday scents without distress, even briefly, celebrate their sensory tolerance and growing adaptability!

6. Role-Playing Social Interactions

It can be socially overwhelming for your autistic kiddo at holiday gatherings. Especially when faced with unfamiliar relatives or social expectations like unwrapping gifts.

Practicing these scenarios ahead of time helps reduce anxiety and gives your child a sense of what to expect. This supports their social and emotional growth.

Celebrate the Wins: If your child successfully participates in a role-play scenario, acknowledge it! These small steps build their confidence in handling real-life social situations.

7. Practice Holiday Outings

If your child is easily overwhelmed by sensory overload during the holidays, practice outings in different settings can make a big difference. 

Start with short trips to stores with minimal holiday decorations and softer music. Or outdoor areas with less crowds.

Then, gradually build up to longer visits. By gradually increasing exposure, you help your autistic child build up their tolerance level and emotional resilience. 

There are entire neighborhoods that decorate their streets for the holidays. Take drives around a few neighborhoods to point out festive lights and displays. 

Peyton and his dad turn their drive to and from school into a fun holiday scavenger hunt, counting pumpkins, snowmen, or Christmas lights.

In addition, always pack a snack or a meal even if you only plan to be out for a short while. Anything can happen.

Celebrate the Wins: When your child handles a holiday outing, no matter how small, celebrate! Even if they manage just a few minutes in a busy store, that’s a sign of their growing comfort and ability to manage new experiences.

Conclusion:

The holidays can be a magical but overwhelming time for autistic children. By slowly introducing sensory experiences before the season is in full swing, you can help your child feel more comfortable and avoid sensory overload. 

You Got This, Mama!

Now that you have some ideas for holiday sensory preparation, remember to celebrate each little success. Whether it’s mastering a new sound or handling a busy family gathering, these small wins will add up to a more peaceful and enjoyable holiday season for you and your child. 

P.S.

Check out our regularly updated Freebies page. From free resources to visual schedules, you'll find tools to help you keep your child safe and calm this holiday season.

P.S.S.

SHARE YOUR WINS: You know that feeling of hope when you hear about another autistic child and their family experiencing a "small" win? You can’t help but celebrate with them!

Well, let’s do the same for you. Share the everyday wins you experience with your autistic child on our Share Your Wins page. We’d love to hear your story—and your celebration might just inspire and encourage another mama!