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Read more articles in: Blog, Elaine Collins, Family
6 October 2026
For separated parents, Christmas can present unique challenges when it comes to child arrangements.
The desire to create a memorable festive season for children can sometimes lead to disagreements over schedules, family gatherings and gift-giving.
While these issues are common, unresolved disputes can place unnecessary strain on both parents and children.
Understanding the most common areas of conflict and addressing them early can help keep the focus where it belongs: on your child’s happiness.
Often, the biggest dispute is over the time the child spends with each of you over the Christmas period – who the child wakes up with on the day itself, where they will spend Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Understanding the child’s needs is paramount when deciding on Child Arrangements during the Christmas period.
If there is no mention of the Christmas arrangements in the Child Arrangements Order, it is advisable to first try and work out an arrangement between yourselves. If that doesn’t work, you should then consider alternative court dispute resolution options, it is better to be able to agree arrangements without the need for Court intervention.
It may be the case that you and your ex will need to appear in front of a judge to create arrangements that work for both parties and, most importantly, the child.
Child Arrangement Orders are legally binding, and there can be serious consequences for breaching one.
Everybody wants to treat their child the best that they can over Christmas. However, disputes can often form between parents when a gift-giving race ensues.
While some children may enjoy the extra presents, they often pick up on the stress and competition and feel caught in the middle of the dispute between parents.
To resolve this dispute, parents should work together to set a budget range that works for both of them so neither parent feels the pressure to overspend.
If you are worried that one partner will try to outdo another, you can incorporate budgets into a Child Arrangements Order.
Christmas is a time for family and it is often the case that grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins all want to see the children over Christmas.
When parents are deciding child arrangements, the extended family is often overlooked, leading to last-minute pressure and conflicts.
Parents must also be careful not to stretch child too thin during their time and be realistic about what the child can handle.
It is imperative that parents seek to get their arrangements in place ahead of the December rush.
Making plans at the last possible moment creates unnecessary stress for both parents and children involved.
If plans are made in advance, the stress of child arrangements over Christmas fades away and instead you can appreciate your time with the child.
We want Christmas to be as magical as possible for children and parents. That is why we are here to support you when making child arrangements that work for everybody involved.
Once family dynamics have changed, it may be time to embrace new family traditions, rather than holding on to the old ones.
Our team will always approach matters in a way that favours amicable resolution over contentious battles.
For support with child arrangements over Christmas, get in touch with our team!
