Supporting Kids in Foster Care During the Holidays

The holiday season can be a beautiful time of celebration and connection — yet for many foster children, it can also bring feelings of grief, loneliness, and confusion as they face separation from their biological family and uncertainty around new traditions.

• In the U.S., there are over 365,000 children and youth in foster care
• Children spend an average of 13-20 months in foster care, meaning many will spend at least two holiday seasons without the certainty of home and familiar traditions.
• Up to 80% of foster youth struggle with mental health issues, compared to just 18-22% of the general population.
• The holiday season can cause feelings of anxiety and depression, on top of those struggles and trauma.

Because of these realities, foster families and foster parents play a crucial role in offering stability, understanding, and a sense of belonging during this special time. By acknowledging each child’s feelings and working to create a loving environment, they help these young individuals feel included and safe.

Creating an Inclusive Environment

Creating an inclusive environment is one of the most meaningful ways to support foster children during the holidays. Every foster child has their own history, family traditions, and memories that shape how they experience the season.

Foster parents can incorporate these traditions into holiday celebrations by cooking familiar meals, decorating together, or including small details that reflect the child’s interests or culture. Even little things—like hanging an ornament that represents their past or lighting a candle to honor their biological parents—can make a huge difference.

Foster parents and adoptive families can incorporate meaningful gestures such as:

• Inviting a child to share their holiday traditions.
• Decorating together, preparing familiar meals, or telling stories of the year’s journey.
• Including or communicating with the child’s biological parents and family to create a supportive dynamic around family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

Open communication helps everyone feel included. Foster parents can talk with their foster child about what the holidays mean to them and what might make the season feel special. Including extended family members, biological parents, or biological families—when appropriate and supported by a social worker—can provide comfort and stability for the child.

When families celebrate together with empathy and openness, foster children can begin to feel that they truly belong. These moments build trust, create memories, and show that being part of a family means being accepted for who you are.

Navigating the Challenges of Foster Care

To navigate these realities, foster parents can:

• Prioritize the child’s emotional well-being over perfect festivity—sometimes simplifying celebrations or allowing for quiet time to process feelings of grief, loss, or transition.
• Explain holiday expectations ahead of time to family members and relatives, so everyone understands how to support the child’s comfort and inclusion.
• Be mindful that every child is unique; their history, age, and emotional state will shape how they experience this season. Flexibility, patience, and open communication are key.

Making a Positive Impact

With thoughtful planning and empathy, foster and adoptive families can turn this season from a potential source of stress into an opportunity for meaningful connection and healing.

Support for foster children during the holidays should extend beyond December. Support is about building a community of care year-round. Adoptive families, foster parents, and community members can volunteer, donate, or offer mental health support to help children thrive. Many organizations provide resources to connect foster families with counseling, educational opportunities, and activities that build resilience and self-worth.

If you’re not currently a foster parent, you can still help. Consider donating gifts for kids in care, volunteering at holiday events, or supporting programs that support foster youth and foster families. Even simple acts—like writing holiday cards or helping with gift giving—remind children that they’re not forgotten.

For foster and adoptive families, it’s important to take time for self-care, too. Supporting a foster child during the holidays can be emotional, so connecting with other parents and community members who understand can make all the difference.

By coming together, we can create a community where every child—no matter their background—feels safe, cherished, and celebrated. 

SPONSOR A HOLIDAY BOX 

Encouraging Year-Round Support

The warmth of the holidays is a great moment to reflect—but the care and connection needed by foster children is enduring. The differences we make during December should become ongoing commitments in the lives of these young people.

Here are year-round reminders:

• Spend time with foster youth, showing up consistently in their lives—whether through mentoring, support groups, or simply being present.
• Create inclusive environments that honor a child’s past and build their future—knowing that stability and relational connection are foundational for long-term growth.
• Support foster families by recognizing their unique challenges and celebrating their efforts. When we strengthen foster parents, we strengthen the entire network of care.
• Invite community engagement: people may become foster parents, host holiday events, or donate supplies that allow families to focus more on connection and less on logistics.

The holiday season is a reminder that belonging, love, and support are defined by relationships and presence. By uniting around foster care during the holidays, we set the tone for a future where every child in care knows they are loved, welcome, and free to thrive.