Christmas Holiday Arrangements for Separated Parents: What Works Best for Your Kids?

Common Christmas Holiday Arrangements for Separated Parents: What Works Best for Your Kids?

Common Arrangements:

Children with one parent from Christmas Eve until Christmas morning and with the other parent from Christmas morning until Boxing Day

This arrangement often works well for parents who live close to each other. For example:

• One parent may celebrate Christmas Eve traditions, while the other hosts Christmas lunch.
• Some families keep to the same arrangements each year, while others alternate.

This approach ensures that children experience the joy of both households on Christmas Day.

Children with one parent at Christmas, but spending a few hours during the day with the other parent

For young children, spending a few hours with one parent on Christmas Day while staying primarily with the other may work best. Experts often recommend minimizing long separations from a primary carer for younger children and gradually increasing time with the other parent as the child grows.

For example, one parent might take the children to open gifts in the morning while the other takes them to an afternoon celebration.

Children with one parent for the week that Christmas falls and with the other parent the week before or the week after

When parents live further apart or have travel plans, alternating the week that includes Christmas can be a practical solution. For instance:

• One parent has the children for Christmas Week this year, and the other has them for the same week next year.
• This avoids long travel times on Christmas Day and ensures parents can enjoy quality holiday time with their children.

One client made this transition easier for their children by involving Santa. Santa wrote the children a letter explaining how they were lucky to have two Christmases and scheduled a special delivery of presents for their “second Christmas.” This approach reframed the experience as exciting rather than a loss.

Children spending the whole of the holidays with one parent

In some cases, such as when one parent lives overseas, children may spend the entire holiday with one parent. The other parent might celebrate Christmas early with the children before they leave or arrange for their gifts to be shared on Christmas Day in their absence.

For example, a parent who can’t be present might organize a heartfelt video call or have the other parent give their gifts to the children. This way, children feel connected to both parents, even apart.

No Special Arrangements

Some families prefer not to make unique plans for Christmas, instead continuing their regular holiday schedule (e.g., alternating weeks or splitting holidays evenly). This might suit families who:

• Aren’t mainly focused on Christmas traditions
• Hold non-Christian beliefs
• Want to avoid additional handovers during the holiday period

What’s Best for Your Family?

The ideal arrangement for your family prioritizes your children’s needs and happiness. The examples above are just a few options. Your circumstances may require a tailored approach, especially if there is a history of family violence or other complexities.

Don’t leave holiday plans to the last minute

Proactively communicating with your co-parent is not just important, it’s vital. It’s the key to agreeing on a clear plan, minimizing misunderstandings, and ensuring your children enjoy a stress-free and joyful Christmas.

NEXT STEPS

Arora Legal offers a range of fixed-fee legal and mediation services.  To find out how we can help you, BOOK your free 15-minute consult today or call 07 3180 0129 and speak to our specialist lawyer.  By contacting us today, you can take the first step towards resolving your family law issue and moving on to a brighter future.