The holiday season, as wonderful and joyous as it is, often comes with its fair share of stress. For families facing cancer, that stress can dial up to an eleven! Between treatments, hospital stays, financial considerations, and extra travel…cancer can really hurt the spirit of the season. 

How do families capture that special holiday magic when their child has cancer? How do you navigate seasonal expectations and juggle all that extra prep work on top of cancer treatment considerations? Whether you’re the parent or caregiver or someone in the community, there are things you can do to make the season merry and bright for kids with cancer.

How to Keep the Holidays Special for Kids with Cancer

For Parents

#1 – Focus on experiences, not stuff.

Money can be tight during the holidays, especially when in the middle of serious medical treatments. Parents, don’t focus so much on giving material gifts. If you can’t quite have the same gift budget your family is accustomed to this year, shift your focus to memorable experiences over material things. 

Carve pumpkins together and do holiday crafts. Bake and decorate cookies. Cozy up with a beloved holiday movie and cups of cocoa. Go see Christmas lights. Decorate together. Check your local area for free events. You can do so many things that create a sense of love, togetherness, and holiday joy without blowing your budget!

#2 – Create new traditions.

The holidays may not work as you’ve always done them. With your child’s changing needs and vulnerabilities, long trips, holiday parties, or physically demanding rituals may no longer be in the cards. Be okay with making new traditions that fit your family in the here and now.

#3 – Be okay with low-key.

Parents often feel the pressure to go all-out for the holidays. We feel compelled to have the best decorations, the most food, and a slew of activities to keep our family entertained and engaged. That’s all well and good – until it becomes a significant stressor. Add that to dealing with cancer, and it’s a recipe for burnout. It’s okay to scale back. Not everything has to be a big production to be meaningful. 

Instead of trying to do everything, focus on a few things that matter most.

#4 – Leave the hosting to someone else.

This year, let someone else host. The stress of planning, cleaning, cooking, and hosting isn’t worth it if it negatively impacts your family. You’ll have a different set of priorities throughout your child’s cancer journey. If you’re the de facto holiday host, request that the task fall to another family member.

#5 – Ask for help.

There’s never shame in asking for help. During the holidays, family members are often closer or visiting. Friends are back in town. While we understand why parents may feel reluctant to reach out, so many people are willing to spread some holiday spirit and lend a helping hand. 

For Friends, Family & Community:

#1 – Take on household tasks.

What are the most tiresome household tasks during the holiday season? Offer to put up outdoor lights, clean up fallen leaves, or run errands. If the family needs to be away for treatments, step up and offer to feed their pets or get the mail. 

#2 – Host an event.

The holidays are a great time to raise funds. Host a community movie night, put on a bake sale, organize a 5k, or ask a local restaurant about a benefit night on behalf of a pediatric cancer organization – or a specific family in your community. 

#3 – Prepare meals.

Studies show that up to a quarter of pediatric cancer patients are food insecure throughout their treatment. You can help alleviate this burden by preparing or buying meals for the family. Roast a turkey for Thanksgiving. Double the recipe for your favorite side dishes. Give restaurant gift cards or put together a meal train. There’s a lot of love to show through food!

#4 – Gather holiday gifts.

Get together with your coworkers, church family, or other community organizations to grant the holiday wishes of a kid with cancer in your area. Ask for a wish list and pool your resources for big-ticket items that the family might not be able to afford. Even if you’re not buying presents, you can assemble treat bags, activity kits, and other helpful gifts.

#5 – Use your own resources.

We all have gifts, resources, and access that we can use to benefit families that need it most. For example, if you own a convertible, you can offer to include it – and a child with cancer – in a local holiday parade to raise awareness and create a special moment. Think creatively about what you have and how to use it to spread joy! 

At the end of the day, the holidays aren’t special because of what you do, buy, or have. It’s about the people you spend it with. For kids with cancer, feeling loved and cared for by friends and family can make a world of difference.