Creating New Holiday Traditions with Food Allergies

The holidays are filled with cherished traditions, many of which center around food. But when your child has food allergies, it’s important to find new ways to celebrate that keep everyone safe and included. Here are some ideas for creating allergy friendly holiday traditions that your family can enjoy together. 

1. Create a Holiday Baking Day with Allergy Friendly Recipes

Baking is a beloved holiday activity, and it can still be a part of your family’s traditions with allergy friendly recipes. Plan a baking day and invite the whole family to get involved in making safe, delicious treats. 

• Bake Reindeer Sunbutter Cups and decorate them as a family. 

• Try Peppermint Icebox Cake for a festive and refreshing dessert. 

• Make Spiced Chocolate Holiday Truffles together and package them as gifts for family and friends. 

2. Host an Allergy Friendly Holiday Potluck

Potlucks are a great way to share a variety of dishes, but they can be tricky with food allergies. Organize a holiday potluck with your family and friends where all the dishes are safe for your child to eat. 

• Provide allergy friendly recipe ideas for guests to use. 

• Label dishes clearly with ingredients to avoid confusion. 

• Create a “best allergy friendly dish” contest for fun. 

3. Focus on Non-Food Traditions

Not every holiday tradition needs to center on food. Consider starting new traditions that everyone can enjoy without worrying about allergens. 

• Host a family craft day to make holiday decorations or ornaments. 

• Plan an annual holiday movie night, complete with allergy friendly hot chocolate. 

• Organize a family holiday scavenger hunt or gift exchange that’s focused on fun, not food. 

4. Non-Food Gift Exchanges

Create a new tradition of exchanging handmade or thoughtful, non-food gifts that everyone can enjoy. 

• Make homemade candles, holiday decorations, or crafts as gifts. 

• Exchange allergy friendly items, such as skincare products or holiday-themed books and games. 

• Create family memory jars where everyone contributes a note or memento from the past year. 

5. Involve Your Kids in Planning

Giving your kids a role in planning the holiday season helps them feel empowered and ensures they’ll enjoy the festivities. 

• Let them choose a new allergy friendly recipe to bake together each year. 

• Involve them in decorating the house or setting up the holiday table. 

• Create an activity advent calendar, letting them pick fun, non-food-related activities to do each day leading up to the holidays. 

Making the Holidays Special with Food Allergies 

Food allergies don’t have to take away from the joy of the holiday season. By creating new, allergy friendly traditions, you can ensure your child feels safe, included, and excited about the holidays. Whether it’s through baking, crafting, or finding new non-food activities, you can build lasting memories together.