The holidays are supposed to feel magical, filled with twinkling lights, warm treats, joyful memories… but if you are raising an autistic or sensory-sensitive child, December can also feel loud, unpredictable, and completely draining.

I am right there with you.

Last year, my son spent most outings with his little hands over his ears. The moment we walked into a crowded store or family gathering, I could feel his whole body stiffen. I carried noise-reducing headphones in my purse like they were gold, because some days, they truly were. Holiday excitement brought joy, yes… but also overwhelm, tears, overstimulation, and a nervous system that was done before noon.

So this post isn’t about perfection.
It’s not about keeping up with the picture-perfect holiday moms online.
It’s about surviving with softness, calming the chaos, and creating routines that actually help our sensory kids feel safe, grounded, and steady again.

These are the gentle sensory routines that saved us during the holiday rush, the ones I leaned on when everything felt too loud, too bright, too fast… and my son needed help coming back to himself.

1. The “Noise Reset” Routine

Holiday sounds are everywhere with bells ringing, crowds talking, music blasting, and toys singing. For kids like ours, those layers of noise add up quickly.

My son can go from smiling to distressed in seconds when a sudden sound hits him unexpectedly. I have been in those moments with the panic rising, his breathing speeding up, his hands clamping over his ears. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s real.

This little routine has helped us reset so many times:

1. Step into a quieter area (even a hallway or car)

2. Offer noise-cancelling headphones

3. Dim harsh lighting if possible

4. Give him something soft to fidget with

5. Take slow, steady breaths together

Gentle note: This post contains a few affiliate links, which simply means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase using my links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my little cozy corner of the internet… it truly helps me continue creating comforting, helpful content for families like ours.

Here are a few of the items that help me regularly: I have included the direct link to Amazon for you.

• Noise-cancelling headphones

• Soft squishy fidget

• Weighted plush animal

Within minutes, I can feel his body soften. His shoulders drop. His breathing slows. And that tiny shift means the world.

2. The “Weighted Calm” Routine

When everything feels “too much,” deep pressure is like a warm hug for the nervous system. Weighted items have been a huge part of helping my son feel secure during the holiday chaos, especially when routines change and sensory input doubles.

Our go-to weighted routine:

• A weighted blanket or lap pad on his legs

• Warm cocoa or milk in a sippy cup

• Soft music playing quietly

• A few minutes of just… breathing and being

I have listed a few items below that have brought a world of change to my son and me. They really do help!

• Weighted blanket

• Weighted lap pad

• Weighted stuffed animals

Even 10 minutes can help him reset. And honestly? It helps me too.

3. The “Visual Calm Corner” Routine

Holiday decorations are beautiful, but let's be honest, for some kids, the flashing lights, bright colours, and busy rooms can be overwhelming.

We created a little visual calm corner last year, and it changed everything.

Here’s what we use:

• A warm, soft lamp (no bright white lights)

• A gentle projector night light that moves slowly, almost like snowfall

• A cozy cushion

• A few sensory fidgets

• His favourite calming toys

Here are a few of the items that we use for calm that you can try as well:

• Projector night light

• Sensory fidget tube set

• Cozy bean bag chair

When he needs a break, he goes there on his own now. It became his safe space, which is predictable, peaceful, and his own little calm winter world.

4. The “Hands Busy, Mind Calm” Routine

Holiday “don’t touch that” moments can be so hard for sensory kids. When their hands need movement and input, they will seek it one way or another. Giving them something purposeful prevents frustration before it starts.

This section is where I have to share something that melted my heart…

Last year, we introduced a Felt Christmas tree, a little flat tree with soft, moveable ornaments.
And something beautiful happened:

My son fell in love with it.

I honestly cried in silence just watching him have so much fun with that Felt tree.

He arranged and rearranged the ornaments over and over again.

He decorated it differently every single day.

He didn’t touch the big Christmas tree anymore (thank goodness, as it had almost lost all its decorations); the Felt one was enough, predictable, safe, and completely in his control.

It became his little holiday comfort zone.

Try these busy-hands calm ideas: And what's even great is that they can all be found on my favourite go-to online shopping store - Amazon!

• A felt Christmas tree

• Colour sorting toys

• Sensory bins

• Bead threading - (not the tiny beads, the large wooden ones)

• Reusable sticker books

• Sensory chew toys/necklace

These activities help kids stay regulated and engaged without constant redirection.

During especially overwhelming days, having a few trusted sensory supports nearby made a real difference for our family. When emotions were big and routines felt hard to hold together, these small comforts helped bring a sense of grounding and calm when we needed it most.

Harkla creates thoughtful, gentle sensory tools that focus on regulation and body awareness without adding more noise or overwhelm. Their resources felt supportive during some of our harder moments, offering comfort in a way that felt natural and safe.

If you are looking for sensory tools designed with neurodivergent kids in mind, you can explore Harkla here.

5. The “Connection & Co-Regulation” Routine

Sometimes what our sensory kids need most isn’t a tool.... it’s us.
But the truth is… during the holidays, we are tired. We are stretched thin. We are trying to hold it all together.

There have been nights when I have sat on the floor with my son, both of us overwhelmed for different reasons. I held him close, matched his breath, and whispered:

“You are safe.”
“I am here.”
“We are okay.”

And slowly… so slowly… he melted into me.
Those moments remind me that calm doesn’t have to be perfect.
It just has to be connected.

6. The “Evening Unwind” Routine

When the holidays bring overstimulation all day, evenings need to be predictable and soothing, not rushed.

Here is the gentle rhythm that grounds my son at night:

• Dim the lights early

• Turn on the projector night light

• Warm lavender hand or foot massage (helps to ease sensory overload)

• Weighted blanket

• Soft music

• The same bedtime book (repetition = comfort)

For those who are interested, I will also link the products that I use with my son to help him calm.

• Lavender lotion for kids

• Projector night light

• Weighted blankets

• Cozy bedtime books

This routine has reduced nighttime meltdowns and helped him fall asleep more peacefully.

A Gentle Reminder for You, Mama or Dad

The holiday season can be tough on your child…
But it can be tough on you, too. Trust me, I have learned the hard way, which is why I have also created a Blog Post: Cozy Comforts for Parents: Gentle Gifts That Say "You Matter Too."

I have learnt that we cannot pour from an empty cup. In order to give our children the best, we need to be at our best, and we need self-care!

You are trying to create magic
while managing sensory overload,
family expectations,
crowds, noise,
and your own exhaustion.

And yet here you are showing up, learning, trying, loving.
Even on the hard days.
Especially on the hard days.

You are doing wonderfully, truly. I say that to myself every day as a little reminder, especially during those moments when I feel like I’m barely holding it together. We are only human, after all.
And your child? They feel your love, even when everything else feels overwhelming.

These routines aren’t about being perfect; however, they are about giving both you and your child a soft place to land. I do hope that reading this post helps just a little and maybe gives you something new to try with your own child or children.

If you try any of these routines, I would love to hear how they helped your family. Your stories help other parents feel less alone.

And if you ever need a reminder:
You are not alone.
You are doing enough.
You are enough.

From my cozy corner to yours,
Marissa.