Foster Family Christmas Traditions
Bring joy and warmth into your home this holiday season with these heartfelt Foster Family Christmas Traditions that will unite, inspire, and create unforgettable memories.
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Foster Family Christmas Traditions
The holiday season, especially Christmas time, is a special time of the year filled with joy, love, and family traditions. For foster families, this time of year can be both an exciting time and a very emotionally stressful time. It’s a period when foster parents, foster kids, and their extended family come together to celebrate, but it’s also a time that can evoke feelings of sadness and loss. This is particularly true for foster children who might be spending their first Christmas away from their birth parents or biological families.
A Time of New Traditions and Love
Foster parents have a unique opportunity during the Christmas season to create new traditions that will not only make the foster child feel included but also create memories that last a lifetime. One way to do this is by having a family game night on Christmas Eve or a Christmas movie night.
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Board games, Christmas movies, and making gingerbread houses can be a great way to spend quality time together and create a safe space for young people to express their feelings.
Another beautiful tradition that some foster families adopt is buying a “first Christmas” ornament for the foster children in their care. This small gesture can mean so much to a child experiencing their first Christmas in a new home. It’s a reminder that they are now a member of your family and that they are loved and valued.
Making Christmas Morning Special
Christmas morning in a foster home can be an exciting time. The sparkly Christmas lights, the scent of fresh Christmas cookies baking in the oven, and the anticipation of opening small gifts under the Christmas tree can bring a sense of normalcy and joy to foster children.
Some foster parents go the extra mile by creating their own holiday celebration traditions like reading a Christmas story together or singing Christmas carols around the tree.
Remembering the Birth Family
While it’s important to make the holiday season special for foster children, it’s also crucial to acknowledge their birth family. This can be a very difficult time for them as they may miss their own families and their families’ holiday traditions.
A thoughtful way to honor their feelings is by incorporating some of their birth families’ traditions into your own family’s Christmas celebration.
For instance, if they used to watch a particular movie on Christmas Day or eat a specific dish for Christmas dinner, include that in your celebration. This can help foster youth feel connected to their roots and respected in their new environment.
The Role of the Community
The community can also play a significant role in making the Christmas period a better time for foster children. Local organizations and individuals can offer respite care to give foster parents a break or donate gifts to make the big day even more special.
Even a CASA volunteer or a social worker can contribute to making this season of joy brighter for foster kids.
A Season of Joy and Healing
Despite the challenges, Christmas in the foster care system can still be a wonderful time. It’s a time of holiday cheer, a time of family celebration, and most importantly, a time to show the foster children in your life that they are cherished.
As Dr. John DeGarmo, an international expert on foster care, once noted, “There’s no better gift you can give a child in need than a stable, loving home.” And there’s no better way to celebrate the spirit of the season than by giving the gift of love and stability to a child in need.
Creating your own family traditions and blending them with the traditions of your foster child’s biological family members can provide a sense of continuity and belonging. It’s all about making the holiday season a special time of the year, filled with love, acceptance, and a whole lot of Christmas magic.
More Foster Care Posts
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- Gifts for Foster Kids
- Free Christmas Gifts
- Books About Foster Care
