How to Make Sure Christmas Day Runs Smoothly When You Have Young Children #Christmas #holidayseason #ChristmasDaywithkids #Christmasplanning

Christmas is a magical time for families, especially when young children are involved.

The sparkle in their eyes as they unwrap presents, the laughter echoing through the house, and the pure joy of the holiday spirit make it one of the most memorable days of the year.

But let’s be real, if you’re a parent of toddlers or young kids, Christmas Day can quickly go from festive to frantic without some solid planning.

Read on to find out how to make sure Christmas Day runs smoothly when you have young children.



Whether it’s overstimulation, skipped naps, sugar crashes, or just too much excitement, a lack of structure can turn a joyful occasion into a stressful one.

But with a few intentional strategies, it’s entirely possible to enjoy a smooth, happy and meaningful Christmas Day, even with little ones in tow.

Here’s how to make sure your Christmas Day is full of magic and minimal meltdowns.

1. Plan Ahead - but Stay Flexible

Preparation is your best friend when kids are in the picture at Christmas time.

The more you plan in advance, the more you can relax and enjoy the day.

However, it's equally important to remain flexible as even the best-laid plans can go awry.

Before the big day, think through your schedule.
  • When will you open gifts?
  • What time is lunch or dinner?
  • Will you be visiting relatives or hosting guests?

Build your plans around your children’s normal routines wherever possible.

Pro tip: Keep the day loosely structured. Leave room for spontaneous joy, but also build in time for meals, quiet moments, and plenty of rest.



2. Start with a Calm Morning

The excitement of Christmas morning can overwhelm young children.

To help start the day on a calm note, consider slowing things down from the moment they wake up.

Yes, they’ll be itching to see what Santa brought, but that doesn’t mean the chaos needs to start at 4am!

Open Christmas stockings in bed or together in front of the tree.

Hopefully they will have enough fun activities in them to keep little ones busy for a while!

Then give them a small pre-breakfast activity like Christmas theme colouring or activity pages.

You could even make a tradition of having a lovely family breakfast together before diving into the presents.

Christmas pancakes, holiday waffles, or a hot cocoa station could become a treasured part of your annual routine.

This gentle start can ground your kids emotionally, making it less likely they’ll hit an emotional wall by mid-morning.



3. Pace the Gift Opening

It’s tempting to let your kids rip through all the presents in five minutes flat, but pacing things out can make the experience more enjoyable and memorable.

Ask them to open one gift at a time, taking a moment to appreciate and explore each one before moving on to the next.

This approach also minimizes the chances of kids feeling overstimulated or becoming overwhelmed by the sheer volume of toys and wrapping paper, especially kids with autism.

You can stretch the magic by sprinkling gift-opening moments throughout the day - one before breakfast, a couple mid-morning, one after lunch, and so on.

This gives kids new things to play with during different parts of the day and helps avoid the post-present letdown.

You could even spread them out over a few days. We've always done this and it makes everything calmer and spreads the joy out for longer.



4. Manage Expectations

It’s natural for children to get swept up in the hype of Christmas.

But with that excitement comes expectations that may not always align with reality.

Maybe Santa didn’t bring the exact toy they wanted.

Maybe they didn’t get as many presents as a cousin.

Maybe the Christmas cookies you baked together didn’t look Pinterest-perfect.

Talking to your children in the weeks leading up to Christmas about gratitude, patience and the joy of giving can help set a tone of appreciation.

Make it clear that Christmas is about more than presents, it’s about spending time together, having fun and creating wonderful memories.

Try to keep the pressure off Christmas being just oen magical day by planning lots of fun festive activities throughout December and spreading time with friends and relatives across the days between Christmas and New Year.

This mindset shift can significantly reduce the likelihood of meltdowns or disappointment.



5. Stick to Nap and Meal Routines as Closely as Possible

This might be the single most important rule for avoiding chaos.

Young kids thrive on routine.

When they get overtired or hungry, their ability to cope with stimulation plummets.

Try to keep naps and meals as close to normal as possible, even if it means adjusting the holiday schedule.

Talk with guests or family members about your child’s needs in advance to avoid feeling pressured into skipping naptime or delaying meals.

If you're visiting someone else’s home, don’t hesitate to bring a travel crib or set up a quiet space where your child can take a break.

Remember: A well-fed, well-rested child is much more likely to enjoy the holiday - and so are you.



6. Create a Calm-Down Space

Christmas Day is full of noise, excitement, and people, and even the most social child can reach a point where it all becomes too much.

Designate a quiet area in your home where your child can go to decompress if needed.

This doesn’t have to be elaborate, just a quiet corner with a cozy Christmas blanket, a few books, a favourite soft toy, or even some headphones with soothing music.

Let your child know it’s okay to take a break if they’re feeling overwhelmed.

Teaching them to self-regulate in this way is not only helpful during the holidays but a skill they’ll use for life.



7. Don’t Overpack the Day

It’s easy to try to cram in too much - visiting relatives, hosting friends, going to church, cooking dinner, playing games, watching festive movies.

But too many activities can be a recipe for disaster.

Choose one or two key events for the day and let the rest flow naturally.

Think quality over quantity.

It's better to have a relaxed, enjoyable Christmas than a jam-packed day filled with cranky kids and frazzled parents.

Keep expectations realistic.

You might not get that Instagram-worthy family photo or perfectly timed meal, and that’s okay.

Focus on creating meaningful moments instead of checking items off a list.



8. Involve Your Kids in the Holiday Magic

Young children love to feel included, and involving them in simple tasks can give them a sense of ownership and calm their excitement.

Let them help set the table, hand out presents, stir the gravy, or put cookies on a plate for Santa.

Not only does this keep their little hands busy, but it also creates lasting memories.

Giving them age-appropriate responsibilities turns them into active participants rather than just wide-eyed spectators.




9. Have a Backup Plan for Boredom

Even with new toys and relatives to play with, kids can get bored, especially once the initial excitement wears off.

Have a few simple activities ready that don’t require much adult supervision.

Craft kits, sticker books, holiday-themed coloring pages, or building blocks can be lifesavers.

A bored child is more likely to misbehave or disrupt the flow of the day.

A little preparation here can go a long way.

Grab our HUGE Christmas printables pack so you always have an activity ready to hand:



10. Keep the Menu Kid-Friendly

Holiday meals are often designed with adults in mind - roast turkey, cranberry sauce, brussels sprouts. 

But kids can be picky eaters, and unfamiliar foods can become battlegrounds.

Include a few child-friendly food items like mac and cheese, plain rolls, fruit salad or veggie sticks.

Don’t force your child to eat everything.

Keep the mood light, and offer plenty of choices.

You might even consider serving your child’s plate earlier than the adults’, especially if the main meal is delayed.

A hungry child waiting an extra hour can quickly turn into a meltdown waiting to happen.



11. Take Pictures - but Don’t Obsess Over Perfection

We all want those perfect holiday photos: matching pyjamas, smiling kids, a beautiful backdrop.

But perfection is rarely achievable with young children.

Instead, focus on capturing candid moments: the laugh when your toddler opens a gift, the chocolate-covered face after dessert, the hug between siblings.

These unposed snapshots often carry the most emotion and authenticity.

And remember: you don’t have to document everything. Be present. Live the day, not just through your phone lens.



12. Keep Your Own Stress in Check

Kids are highly sensitive to their parents’ emotional states.

If you're frazzled, anxious or overwhelmed, your child will likely mirror that energy.

Take care of yourself in the lead-up to the day.

Simplify wherever possible. Delegate tasks. Get sleep. Drink water.

And if something doesn’t go as planned - burnt pies, late guests, spilled juice - breathe and let it go.

The more relaxed you are, the more likely your children are to follow suit.




13. Start a Few Meaningful Traditions

Traditions give children a sense of comfort and continuity, and create treasured memories, but they don’t have to be elaborate.

In fact, the simpler they are, the more likely they’ll stick.

Some ideas include:

These traditions become anchors for your child, grounding them in the season’s true spirit and helping reduce the chaos.

More family Christmas tradition ideas:



14. End the Day with a Wind-Down Routine

After all the sugar, gifts and excitement, winding down can be tricky.

But ending the day on a calm note is just as important as starting it that way.

Create a bedtime routine that soothes and resets.

A warm bath, dim lights, soft music or a favourite Christmas bedtime story can work wonders.

Talk to your child about their favourite parts of the day.

What made them laugh? What was their favourite gift? What are they grateful for?

This reflective time not only promotes gratitude but also helps them process the day emotionally.



Remember: Your Presence Is the Best Present

The truth is, young children won’t remember whether your table centrepiece was flawless or if the cookies came out just right.

What they’ll remember is how they felt.

Did they feel loved? Seen? Safe? Did they laugh?

Did they get to cuddle with you on the couch after the chaos?

Christmas is about connection, not perfection.

By planning ahead but staying flexible, keeping routines in mind, and focusing on moments over materials, you’ll create a magical day your children will treasure.

Even with a few bumps along the way, your presence (calm, patient, and loving) is the greatest gift they could receive.


More tips to make Christmas easier:


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