Celebrating Christmas as a Fostering Unit
Christmas is a magical time of year, filled with warmth, connection and opportunities to create cherished memories. For foster carers, the festive season can also bring unique considerations as you balance your own family traditions with the needs, experiences and wishes of the children in your care. Celebrating Christmas as a fostering unit is not just about decorations and presents – it’s about building a nurturing environment where every child feels valued, included and safe.
Whether this is your first Christmas as a foster carer or one of many, embracing the season with sensitivity and understanding can make the celebration meaningful for everyone in your fostering household.
Understanding a Child’s History at Christmas
Many children entering the fostering system have experienced loss, trauma or instability, and the Christmas period can amplify these emotions. A child may feel uncertain about what to expect, miss a previous caregiver or birth family, or feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar traditions.
Taking time early in December to talk with your foster child about their past Christmas experiences can be incredibly grounding. Ask gentle questions such as:
“What did Christmas usually look like for you?”
“Is there something special you’d like to include this year?”
“Are there any parts of Christmas that make you feel worried?”
These conversations help build trust and allow you to tailor your festive plans in a way that supports the child emotionally. This type of trauma-informed foster care approach ensures children feel heard and respected during a potentially sensitive time.
Blending Traditions in a Foster Family
Every family celebrates Christmas differently, and fostering introduces the beautiful opportunity to blend traditions. Many foster children appreciate being invited to share customs from their birth family or cultural background. Whether it’s a favourite meal, a special decoration, a particular Christmas film or a religious tradition, incorporating these elements helps children maintain a sense of identity.
At the same time, introducing the child to your family’s traditions can help them feel welcomed and included. You might consider:
Letting the child hang their own decoration on the tree
Giving them a personalised stocking
Encouraging them to help bake, craft, or decorate
Including them in the planning of Christmas Day activities
These simple actions strengthen the sense of belonging within your fostering unit.
Managing Expectations Around Gifts
Gift-giving can be a sensitive aspect of Christmas in foster care. Some children may never have received many presents before; others might feel guilty about being given gifts; and some may have expectations based on previous years.
Clear communication is essential. Let the child know what Christmas in your home usually looks like to help reduce uncertainty. If possible, speak with your social worker about any guidelines or considerations – especially if siblings are in different placements or if contact with birth family is planned around the holidays.
It’s also helpful to support them in preparing or giving small gifts to others in the fostering household, which can build confidence, connection and reciprocity.
Creating Calm Within the Festive Chaos
Christmas can often be busy and loud, which may be overwhelming for children who have experienced trauma. Keeping the fostering environment calm and predictable is key.
You could:
Keep to familiar routines where possible
Offer quiet spaces for the child to take breaks
Avoid overloading the calendar with too many events
Prepare them in advance for activities, visitors or changes in schedule
Providing structure and reassurance can make the festivities feel safe and joyful.
The Importance of Inclusive Activities
Shared experiences help strengthen relationships within a fostering household. Creating new traditions together can give children a sense of stability and belonging.
Consider activities such as:
Making homemade decorations
Writing Christmas cards together
Watching festive films as a family
Creating a Christmas Eve box
Taking part in local community events
These activities help foster children feel part of something bigger – a supportive, caring family unit.
Nurturing Emotional Wellbeing During the Holidays
Despite the festive spirit, some children may struggle emotionally at Christmas. Be patient and understanding if the child experiences sadness, anxiety or behavioural changes. These reactions are often rooted in memories or uncertain feelings about contact with birth family.
Offer reassurance, empathy and space to talk. Remind them that all feelings are valid. Your consistent presence and calming approach help build emotional resilience and trust.
Making Christmas Meaningful as a Fostering Unit
Celebrating Christmas as a fostering unit is about more than gifts and festivities. It is an opportunity to create feelings of belonging, security and joy. With empathy, patience and thoughtful planning, foster carers can make the holiday season a transformative experience for children in their care.
By embracing each child’s individuality, honouring their history, and providing a warm and inclusive environment, you help them build positive memories that can last a lifetime. Ultimately, the heart of Christmas in foster care is connection – showing children that they matter, that they are valued and that they have a special place within your fostering family.
Would you like to become a foster carer with Beacon Fostering? Apply to be a foster carer