How to decorate for Christmas when you have a disability

On December 3^rd, we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), recognition leads us into the Christmas season, it’s a timely reminder that the joy and togetherness of the festivities are not always experienced equally. For many, the season brings additional challenges, from the thought of decorating, embracing the crowds to navigating the cold weather.

Whether someone has mobility needs, hearing or visual impairments or any other kind of a day dedicated to promoting inclusivity, accessibility and equal opportunities, whilst celebrating the achievements of those with disabilities. As this important day of disability, Christmas should be a time of love and a reason to share a smile with those they’re closest to.

Many Christmas events and venues aren’t accessible, lacking appropriate provisions including accessible toilets, ramps or quieter spaces. Even when the space is accessible, the sheer number of shoppers and visitors can make navigating with mobility aids near impossible.

Trying to board crowded public transport or navigate through the increasingly bad weather, like snow and ice can make travelling a difficult experience.

Though Christmas events might be fun for others, the combination of loud music, flashing lights, crowded spaces and lots of movement can be overwhelming, causing anxiety for people with sensory sensitivities, such as those with ADHD or Autism.

When lots of friends and family are planning to spend time together, individuals with disabilities can feel extra isolated as they may worry about being a burden on their loved ones, struggle to get out of their home or feel left out.

According to Disability Rights UK, nearly half of everyone in poverty is either a disabled person or lives with a disabled person. This means that an event like Christmas can put hardship on the person’s finances, especially during a time when heating homes and travelling can be more expensive.

Despite all this, friends and family don’t want to miss out just because they have a disability. In a survey from Mencap, nearly a quarter of adults who have a learning disability felt lonely, so what can change?

The simplest way to celebrate Christmas is to put Christmas decorations up. Whether that’s a Christmas tree decorated with homemade baubles, to little souvenirs and trinkets scattered around the home.

People with disabilities can often find decorating a struggle, from needing mobility aids like a wheelchair or crutches that can make moving about or reaching up high a challenge, to being visibly impaired and not sure where things should go.

Invite your closest friends and family round to help. Get into the spirit with lots of cheesy Christmas music, hot chocolates and festive favourites like minced pies and have your support network put the tree up, move heavier items and reach the high spaces. Having everyone round can relieve the stress and prevent exhaustion, it also makes the time a lot more fun and has the potential of becoming a yearly tradition!

Store your decorations in an accessible cupboard or wardrobe, this way you won’t have to worry about reaching into the attic or hard-to-reach places. Organise your decorations so your favourite pieces are on top and declutter by donating items you no longer love. This will help with overwhelming feelings and keep you focused.

When it’s harder to get outside, bring the outside to you and shop online. You don’t have to go overboard and can budget in how much you want to spend, and you won’t be sidetracked by other little trinkets. Shopping online is an accessible alternative to wandering the store, but if you still want to head out without the hours of shopping, click and collect in-store so you get the best of both worlds.

Many stores and events now offer ‘quiet times’ for those visiting with accessibility needs. Plan your trip beforehand and get in touch with event organisers so you know exactly how the day will go, where you might struggle and when busy periods are so you can avoid the crowds.

If putting decorations up in your own home feels too exhaustive or expensive, there’s always the option of attending local Christmas parties at a community centre, heritage site or even a comedy club. Host a Christmas party with your own community and bring the Christmas spirit by spending time together.

In the spirit of Christmas, decorate your mobility aids. If you’re a wheelchair user, add tinsel and baubles to the back of the chair. If you use a walking cane, add stickers, and if you have a walker, dangle colourful fabric and fairy lights from the handles.

Some houses have a Christmas tree in every room, others have a small wooden tree on a side table, some houses have handmade baubles from when the children were small, others have decorations from a discount store. No matter how or when you choose to decorate, it will be beautiful. The most important part of Christmas is spending it with those you love most.

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrate with your family and friends, rejoice in traditions and festive ceremonies, and don’t push yourself. Take this time to speak openly about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, but also about your achievements from the past year. Put your Christmas decorations up, reach out to your friends and family and make plans for the festive season.

And, once all the chaos and fun have settled down, relax and unwind in your favourite Chair. HSL chairs include a range of features that are disability friendly, such as our Riser Recliner chairs recommended by our Independent Occupational Therapist for people with neurological conditions, our patented wooden knuckles on a range of furniture to help with mobility, including pieces designed with scientific backing, so you know each chair is the perfect choice for you.

For more style tips and tricks, check out HSL’s Feel Good Hub.

You might enjoy our related articles:

• Chairs for the Disabled: Your Buying Guide
• Bringing the magic of the season to your table
• World Mental Health Day: HSL Chairs & your mental wellbeing