At 1.5, he was ok with Santa, then he became afraid of Santa and of loud sounds for a few years. Also had to teach him how to open presents, etc. He was not interested. By 9 he is very excited for holidays now, 8 and probably 7 as well. That’s when it really started to sink in. Modify the activities until they become more excited to participate. We would make gingerbread cookies, but he didn’t like the spice, so I took the cinnamon and ginger out, and cut down on the molasses. He loved it. The next year I used half the ginger the recipe required, I still leave the cinnamon out as I know he doesn’t like the flavor. I used to love cinnamon toast as a kid but it’s easy to make sugar toast instead and it delights him. Spending time together and sharing memories is what’s most important.

Yep, we do holidays our way. More time together relaxing as a family of 4. Eat what we want and take time off of work to spend with my sons. My 12 year old with autism still could care less about holidays. He can tell you which holiday it is but doesnt care. He just is happier around holidays because we are home more😁. Funny story though… at 3 he got a helicopter for Christmas and was so excited when we unwrapped it, but when we took it out of box for him he cried and wanted nothing to do with it. We tried everything to put it back in box the way he wanted it, but nothing worked 🤣🤣🤣. Only gift i ever saw him excited about🤷‍♀️

Stephen, 28yo, Knows of Holidays and will play the appropriate videos and music for an upcoming holiday, but He just does not get excited.

I can't remember, but I'd say I was probably around 3 when I started understanding holidays. I still remember my 3rd or 4th birthday party; I remember getting a red wagon, a Duncan butterfly yoyo, a little vinyl play tent, and a peacock Watchimal (plush band with a watch hidden under the animal's head, which you would lift to check the time). I remember wanting that watch SOOO much and was elated when I saw it!

Given that your kiddo is 2, she may still be taking in her environment and learning about the way things operate. Everyone develops at different rates :) In the meantime, just enjoy spending time with her and playing in whichever way "play" means to her 😊

My son is 4 and has a lot of echolalia. This year he started reciting parts of his Christmas books that related to our holiday activities-making cookies, opening stocking, etc. So I think he's starting to make those connections. He doesn't understand about Santa or get excited anticipating holiday events. I try to find the parts he likes and lean into those, but I had to let go of how I pictured it would be. Like we went to a gingerbread party at the library with hot chocolate and music and crafts, and he just wanted to watch the copy machine. Not very Christmasy but he loved it, so he's forming good holiday memories with his family. He likes some Christmasy stuff like shaking sugar on cookies, or looking at Christmas lights. He understands what presents are this year. Holidays have very different routines than normal days, which is hard for him. Social stories help with that.