HSE shares its 2025 tips for a healthier, happier Christmas
Right, so we're in the thick of it now. The tree's up, the Advent calendar's being raided at 6am, and you're already wondering how on earth you'll make it to St Stephen's Day with your sanity intact. Between school concerts, the Tesco run that takes twice as long because everyone's panic-buying Roses, and trying to remember which cousin is allergic to what, it's a lot.
The HSE has just released its 2025 "Nice list" for the festive season and honestly? It's a relief to have someone say out loud that Christmas doesn't have to be perfect. Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead for the HSE's Child Health Public Health Programme, puts it perfectly: "This time of the year can be magical but it can also be overwhelming for children and parents alike. A few small steps can make a big difference."
So let's talk about those steps, because if we can take even one thing off the mental load, that's a win.
When the magic turns into meltdown
Here's the thing nobody tells you until you're living it: kids don't automatically love every second of Christmas. Shocking, I know. We build it up so much in our heads that when they're cranky at Granny's or having a wobbler in the middle of the Christmas market, we feel like we've failed somehow.
But routines are out the window, bedtimes have gone rogue, and there's excitement bouncing off every wall. Of course they're going to be overwhelmed. The HSE's advice? Expect the "ho-ho-no" moments. Plan for them. Long car journey to visit family? Pack snacks, activities, and realistic expectations. Big gathering with 47 relatives? Build in some quiet time at home before or after.
Children get difficult when they're hungry, tired or bored. It's not rocket science but it's easy to forget when you're juggling seventeen things at once.
Safety checks when you're not at home
This one's massive and something I always forget until we're already at someone's house. When you're visiting friends or family, their homes aren't child-proofed like yours. Suddenly your toddler's got access to the drinks trolley, there's a massive poinsettia at grabbing height, and someone's left their handbag open with God knows what inside.
Dr Katharine Harkin, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the HSE, flags the risks: sharp objects, matches, medicines, cleaning products, alcohol in glasses, essential oils, reed diffusers, and those gorgeous but poisonous seasonal plants like holly, ivy and mistletoe.
And here's one I hadn't even considered properly: button batteries. They're in musical Christmas cards, singing Santas, light-up decorations, flameless candles. If a child swallows one it can cause serious harm. Keep an eye out and keep them well out of reach.
If you think your child has been exposed to poison, call the Poisons Information Line on 01-809 2166. They're available from 8am to 10pm every day, including Christmas Day itself.
Protecting the tiny ones
If you've got a newborn or you're visiting someone who does, this bit's really important. Babies haven't had time to build up immunity to all the bugs flying around at this time of year. Flu and RSV are circulating right now and while older kids might bounce back fairly quickly, it can be much more serious for tiny babies.
It might feel awkward but it's absolutely fine to ask if anyone's unwell before a visit and reschedule if needed. And yes, you can ask people to wash their hands before holding the baby. You can also say no to too many people kissing them. Family will understand because keeping a vulnerable baby safe is what matters.
Cold sores are a big one. The herpes simplex virus can be very serious, even fatal, for newborns. If you or anyone around you has a cold sore, don't kiss the baby, wash your hands before any contact, and if you're breastfeeding, cover up any sores to avoid touching your mouth and then your breast.
Toy safety from Santa and everyone else
Santa's working overtime but parents, grandparents and anyone else buying presents needs to make sure toys are actually safe. Check they're right for the child's age and stage. Just because it says ages three and up doesn't mean your determined 18-month-old won't get their hands on it if their older sibling's playing nearby.
Look for the CE quality mark, make sure toys are in good condition, and watch out for choking hazards. Anything small and round-shaped like marbles, beads, coins, marker caps, bottle tops? Keep them away from children under three. Water beads should be avoided if kids are under five.
Avoid toys with magnets (swallowing them can cause serious injury), strings (strangulation risk), or sharp parts that detach easily. Store toys safely so they're not causing trips or falls, and don't put them somewhere your child needs to climb to reach.
Manual scooters are on loads of wish lists this year. Make sure you get one that's suitable for your child's age, weight and height, and don't forget the helmet and protective gear. E-scooters though? Injuries linked to them are on the rise. Keep younger children off them completely and it's strongly advised not to give them to anyone under 16.
For more detailed advice on toy safety, check out the Competition and Consumer Protection Commissioner website.
The boring but brilliant basics
Hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. Yes, we know. But it genuinely makes a huge difference in stopping infections spreading, especially when everyone's in close contact.
Flu and RSV are doing the rounds at the moment and children are much more likely to catch them than adults. Keep up with all the recommended vaccines. It's one of the simplest ways to protect your kids and the more vulnerable people around them, including pregnant women and newborns.
Teeth and tumbles
Between new bikes, scooters and general festive chaos, dental accidents can happen. If your child damages a tooth, seek dental advice as soon as possible.
And try to keep up the brushing routine even when everything else has gone sideways. Nobody wants an actual visit from the tooth fairy because someone's knocked out a tooth on Christmas morning.
Don't forget about you
Here's the permission you didn't know you needed: you don't have to do everything. The pressure to create a perfect Christmas is real but you don't need to spend a fortune or exhaust yourself to make it meaningful.
Swap some of those unnecessary tasks for things that are actually enjoyable. Simple play at home, winter walks, easy recipes, drawing, Christmas crafts, board games, or free community events. Take a bath, listen to your favourite music, watch a grown-up festive film, get ten minutes of fresh air. It all counts.
Dr Collins's final tip comes straight from the North Pole: an early bedtime for everyone on Christmas Eve. We'll drink to that.
From all of us, have a safe, healthy and genuinely happy Christmas. And remember, if it's not perfect, it's still absolutely good enough.