Navigating the Festive Juggle: Supporting Teens in the Run-up to Christmas

As we head towards December, the weeks leading up to Christmas can feel magical - twinkling lights, festive school events, warm drinks, and a sense of excitement in the air, but for many carers, parents, and professionals, this time of year also brings a unique level of juggle. From school nativity plays to festive concerts, end-of-term commitments, emotional ups and downs, and the annual challenge of Christmas shopping for teenagers - the road to Christmas can quickly become overwhelming.

Whilst the festive period can be a time of connection, it also asks a lot from carers - emotionally, practically, and logistically. Understanding this juggle, and supporting yourself through it, can make the season feel more manageable and meaningful.

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The Endless Calendar of Festive Events

As soon as December arrives, diaries begin to fill. School nativity plays, carol services, college shows, fundraising days, non-uniform days, and festive assemblies - each important and special, but also demanding for the adults coordinating the practicalities and juggling.

For children and young people, these events can bring excitement… but also anxiety. Busy rooms, loud music, new routines, and being watched by an audience can be overwhelming for those who struggle with sensory needs, confidence, or past trauma.

For carers, the challenge can often become balancing encouragement with emotional support - It’s a beautiful time of year, but also a demanding one, and it’s okay to acknowledge that!

Christmas Shopping for Teens

Shopping for a teenager can at times, feel like trying to decode a puzzle without a key. Their likes and dislikes change quickly, trends evolve overnight, and what was a favourite hobby in October may be abandoned by December.

Many carers may find themselves:

• Guessing what the perfect surprise could be

• Navigating tight budgets

• Feeling pressure to “get it right”

• Trying to balance fairness across numerous children

• Managing expectations when social media and peer comparison take over

The truth is, the perfect gift doesn’t have to be the most expensive one. Teens value connection, being understood, being listened to, and knowing that the adults around them have paid attention to who they are becoming. Sometimes a thoughtful, personalised gift means more than any trend.

A Season of Big Feelings

The festive season can be also triggering for many children and young people, especially those who have experienced loss, instability, or trauma. The build-up can bring:

• Uncertainty

• Heightened emotions

• Missing past relationships

• Confusion around traditions

• Anxiety about change in routine

The festive period is full of sensory overload, expectation, and emotional weight - all of which can impact behaviour and mood, so for carers, this requires increased empathy, predictability and patience to navigate.

Remembering the Carer’s Experience Matters Too

Amid the concerts, shopping, wrapping, baking, and last-minute school messages, carers often forget the most important ingredient of a supportive festive season: their own wellbeing. The juggle is real, it is valid and you are allowed to feel tired!

Taking moments to breathe, to pause, and to ask for support helps you to stay emotionally present for the children in your care.

Small acts of self-kindness and self-care - five quiet minutes, your favourite hot drink or a supportive conversation - can make a real difference.

The Gift of Connection

At its heart, the festive period isn’t about perfect presents, perfect photos, or perfect plans. It’s about connection - showing young people that they matter, that they belong, and that even in the busiest moments of the year, they are held in mind.

The run-up to Christmas can feel chaotic, but it is also an opportunity to build memories, strengthen bonds, and offer the kind of emotional safety that lasts long after the decorations come down.

You're not alone in the juggle, and together, we can make this time meaningful for both carers and young people.