Inclusive Christmas: five tips for a calm and comfortable New Year’s holiday
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The holiday season can be a sensory overload and stressor for those with heightened sensitivity. Here are 5 practical tips to help make your holiday more inclusive and comfortable.
This is reported by RTÉ .
Sensory features
Journalists noted that bright lights, flickering garlands, loud music, and pungent odors can cause discomfort. It is recommended to use dim lighting, minimize flickering, reduce noise levels, or completely abandon background music. The importance of normalizing the use of sensory aids, including noise-canceling headphones, is also emphasized.
Predictability as the basis for peace
Disruption of the usual schedule during the holidays often becomes a source of anxiety. Journalists advise informing in advance about plans, explaining the sequence of events and maintaining the usual sleep and eating regimen. It is separately emphasized that the opportunity to take a break or leave early should be perceived as normal practice.
Less social pressure and expectations
The article notes that not all people react the same way to gifts, hugs, or public displays of emotion. The journalists emphasize the need to respect personal boundaries, avoid forcing physical contact, and embrace different ways of expressing joy.
A flexible approach to food
The Christmas table can be a challenging experience due to unfamiliar tastes, textures and smells. Journalists advise allowing familiar foods, not insisting on tasting new dishes and allowing for a different time or format of eating if necessary for comfort.
Space for silence and relaxation
Particular attention is paid to creating a quiet place for recovery. A small room or quiet corner with soft lighting and minimal noise can help a person reduce their level of overload. Journalists emphasize that breaks during festive gatherings should be encouraged.
In general, an inclusive Christmas, according to the journalists’ conclusions, is based on attentiveness, flexibility, and respect for individual needs, rather than on strict adherence to traditions.
It was previously reported that in 2026, New Year’s decor is being shaped under the influence of the symbolism of the Red Fire Horse , which is associated with energy, strength and dynamics. The main emphasis is on warm colors, natural materials and expressive decorative solutions.
By the way, with the New Year holidays approaching, Ukrainians are looking for alternatives to the traditional Christmas tree to decorate their homes , including potted plants. Such plants can survive after the holidays and decorate a garden or balcony, providing a long-lasting decorative effect.
It is worth adding that the New Year holidays are coming soon, and traditionally the usual salads like Olivier and herring under a fur coat appear on the holiday tables. However, to diversify the holiday menu and take a new look at familiar ingredients, there are many other interesting recipes .
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