Seven Ways to Make Hosting Little Kids for the Holidays Less Stressful for Everyone

Our first holiday with our son was a tough one. We were visiting family in a different time zone, and he was ready for his usual nap just as everyone else began enjoying their holiday meal. It felt a bit isolating, and we missed out on many family traditions that year.

In the busy time leading up to the holidays, it's easy to focus on preparing your home to welcome family and friends but forget about the needs of the younger guests who are coming with them. Especially if you don't see them often, little kids might feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar surroundings, while their parents may feel anxious about managing their kids' usual routines away from home.

Here are some simple things you can do to help kids (and their parents) feel more at ease when staying in your home during the holidays, allowing them to focus on the excitement of the season.

Do some basic child-proofing

If your nieces or nephews tend to walk on all fours and grab everything they can, take some simple precautions to keep your holiday decor safe. The parents will appreciate it, I assure you.

• Place fragile ornaments higher up on the tree.

• Keep wires and cords hidden or taped to the floor to prevent tripping hazards.

• Cover any electrical outlets and consider adding childproof closures to floor-level cabinets (especially if they contain cleaning agents or other potentially hazardous materials).

• Keep holiday plants like mistletoe out of reach, as they can cause stomach upset if ingested. You can also use artificial plants instead.

Ask about routines, allergies, and food restrictions

Here's where things could have been done differently when my own son was a baby. Hosts showing consideration for visiting parents and their young child's schedule can make those guests feel more included in the celebration. While you don't have to overhaul your holiday plans, a simple conversation with parents about their child's routines, allergies, or food restrictions can go a long way to ensuring everyone will enjoy the festivities, and help ward off any last-minute trips to the grocery store on a snowy Christmas Eve.

Greet kids with a welcome basket

For young ones, staying in a strange house for the holidays can feel weird. Sometimes, all it takes is a small gesture of kindness to make them feel welcome. One idea is to create a basket filled with inexpensive toys and treats, such as those found at a dollar store or the front of your nearest Target. This gesture can also provide kids some entertainment while you catch up with your favorite in-laws.

Break out the games

If young children are staying with you for a few days, they'll likely ask if you have any toys or games, or even worse, start searching your house for them without permission. If they're staying in a guest room, make their search easier by placing a few of your items on their bed so they can play while they wait for Santa to arrive.

Make a play area for your party

Hosting a Christmas party doesn't mean you have to exclude young guests. We thought we wouldn't be able to attend one for a while when we had kids, so we were pleasantly surprised when we received an invitation to a Christmas party that noted kids were welcome. When we arrived, we found the hostess had thoughtfully set up a child-proofed play area filled with coloring books, crafts, and toys, allowing us to take turns mingling while the kids were occupied.

Let parents (and their kids) know it's ok if they make a mess

I'll always cherish the memory of enjoying Thanksgiving with a dear friend (who is also a parent) when my oldest was just two years old. Before we arrived, we spent a considerable amount of time packing everything we could to prevent our son from making a mess or having a tantrum during dinner, as we didn't want to overstay our welcome.

As we sat down at their dining room table, there was a note on my son's plate that essentially said: "Be as loud and messy as you want. We want you to feel welcome." One little note went a long way toward making us feel wanted instead of like an imposition. As we've hosted our own family gatherings in the years since, I've made it a point to extend this same kindness to anyone who enters our home, recognizing that any mess can be easily cleaned up.

Let young guests help decorate

My mother-in-law is a frequent flyer at craft stores, and is always well stocked with crafts my kids can make to help decorate her home. When the first one is done, she somehow already has another art project waiting. Soon enough, the house is decorated for the holidays with things my kids have made and are eager to show off. This act brings my mother-in-law joy and makes her home feel like theirs, and that's what the holidays are all about, right?