Making Christmas Work for Your Family

As Christmas draws near, it can be a wonderful time for family connection, celebration, and fun—but it can also bring big changes in routines, new sensory experiences, and social demands that can feel overwhelming for many people with Fragile X syndrome.

Whether you’re caring for a child, teenager or adult, a bit of preparation and planning can help make the festive period calmer and more enjoyable for everyone.

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Keeping routines steady

Christmas often turns everyday routines upside down. Try to keep key parts of your usual rhythm in place—mealtimes, bedtime routines or favourite daily activities. Consistency helps bring a sense of safety and predictability when everything else feels different.

If your family member has a visual timetable or uses symbols, update these to show when routines will change and what new events are coming up.

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Preparing for changes

Decorations, lights, music, and visitors can be exciting but may also cause sensory overload.

• Decorate gradually: start with a few decorations, then add more over several days.

• Create calm zones: if possible, have one ‘Christmas-free’ room or quiet area where your child or adult can take a break.

• Give choices: let them decide what decorations to use or where to put them—it helps them feel more in control.

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Supporting sensory needs

Bright lights, strong smells, and noisy gatherings can be hard to manage.

• Pack a small sensory kit for outings—noise-reducing headphones, favourite fidget toys, or a soft item that feels comforting.

• For parties or family visits, consider arriving early before it becomes busy and noisy.

• If going somewhere unfamiliar, share photos or short videos of the place beforehand.

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Using visuals and social stories

Countdowns, calendars, and simple social stories can help children and adults understand what’s coming. For some, an advent calendar can build excitement; for others, it can heighten anxiety—so adjust to what works best.

If you’d like help creating a personalised Christmas visual schedule, social story, or countdown calendar, we’d be happy to prepare these for you. Just get in touch with us at the Fragile X Society (info@fragilex.org.uk).

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Presents and surprises

Many people with Fragile X find surprises stressful.

• Try wrapping gifts in tissue or see-through paper, or leave some unwrapped.

• Open presents slowly, over several days if needed.

• Prepare family and friends that reactions may be quiet, unexpected, or delayed—it’s okay if excitement looks different!

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Mealtimes and food

Christmas meals can feel overwhelming—different foods, bigger groups, and lots of noise.

• Offer familiar favourites alongside festive food.

• Allow flexibility—eating before or after the main meal might be calmer.

• Keep portions small, and let your family member leave the table if needed.

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Planning calm time

Build downtime into your Christmas Day plan. A walk, quiet play, watching a favourite film, or listening to music can help everyone recharge. Adults with Fragile X may also value some quiet space to decompress after social time.

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After Christmas

The days after Christmas can feel flat and confusing, especially once decorations disappear and routines are still off.

Use a visual calendar to show when decorations will come down, when school or work restarts, and what will happen next.

Reflect together—what worked well this year, and what you might do differently next time?

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Remember—your Christmas, your way

There’s no “right” way to celebrate Christmas. For some, it’s full of lights and laughter; for others, it’s quieter and low-key. What matters most is that your family feels comfortable and connected.

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From all of us at The Fragile X Society, we wish you a peaceful, joyful Christmas and a calm start to the New Year.

If you’d like any support, ideas, or personalised resources—including visual aids, social stories or countdown calendars—to help your festive season go more smoothly, please contact us:

📧 info@fragilex.org.uk 📞 01371 875100