There is something really special in giving and receiving gifts during the holidays. Preparing your special needs child with the social essentials in giving and receiving their holiday gift to and from friends and family ensures that your child contacts natural reinforcement during the holiday gifting season. It’s all in a simple “Thank you” and “You are welcome”.
Giving Gifts-
1) Prepare a social story on the importance of giving during the holiday season. The social story should include why people give gifts to others during the holidays. A social story or video on manners and saying “You are welcome” would be beneficial as well.
2) Help your child make a list of family and friends whom he/she may like to buy or make gifts for.
3) Help your child wrap the gifts or if your child becomes anxious or overwhelmed at wrapping gifts, maybe buy or make fun gift boxes. Put pictures of the recipient on the outside of the gift so that your child remembers whom the gift belongs to.
4) Practice giving the gift. A fun and teachable way to do this is to have an older sibling model giving the gift and receiving the gift and saying “thank you”.
Receiving Gifts-
1) Prepare a social story on the importance of saying “Thank you” when others do something nice for someone.
2) Help your child make a list of items he/she would like. If your child is too young or unable to make a list, get a list from your child’s therapist, teacher, or even walk through a toy store and see what catches their eye. Make sure you explain that you will not be buying the gift that day to eliminate tantrums.
3) Practice with your child at home unwrapping gifts to relieve anxiety on the big day. If you notice that your child is anxious or overwhelmed throughout this process, maybe ask friends and family to simply place the gift in a gift bag or leave the gift unboxed. Your child may experience more enjoyment when they can open the gift and play with it immediately. This can also give friends and family the chance to know if their gift was a hit or miss.
4) If your child does not want to participate in a huge gifting ceremony or celebration with a ton of family members, maybe you can arrange to do gift time in increments such as with siblings and parents on Christmas eve and other family members on Christmas day. Or, if you have access to Christmas gifts prior to the big day, possibly dedicate specific days for your child to open their gifts.
5) Have your child say “thank you” when they receive their gift. If your child is non verbal or shy, try having your child point to a “thank you “ icon or make fun thank you cards. This will be a great reminder to everyone who purchased a gift on how appreciative your family is.
Happy Gifting!!
Be sure to check out this other blog posts to help you survive this holiday season with your child: