As much as I loathe the kitchiness of Halloween and pumpkin season (#sorrynotsorry), I love the December holidays. I live for a Christmas light show, a Mariah Carey-lead holiday playlist, and decking out my home in Hanukkah decor, matching family pajamas and all. But still, as an anxious millennial parent with three sets of grandparents vying for time with my kids during the busiest month of the year, holiday stress is inevitable. There’s a lot of things to do, people to see, gifts to buy, and memories to make.

But you know who else the holidays are often stressful for? The children. Especially if your kid is highly sensitive like mine or has been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the many days off from school and big celebrations at the end of the year can be really difficult and triggering.

Here are 5 common holiday stressors for kids and how to make them easier for your sensitive little one(s), with expert advice from the pros at Child Mind Institute:

If your child is intimidated by large gatherings…consider hosting the holiday yourself if you’re up for it, since many kids will feel more comfortable on home turf. No matter the location, try to time the event well so that it's not, say, during your toddler’s naptime, to avoid meltdowns as much as possible. And what I always personally find helpful is to bring small toys like figurines and coloring books to such family events so that your kid will have something to do if he’s bored by the adult-centric company and/or if the hosts don’t have anything there to keep kids occupied.

If your child struggles when he’s out of his routine…written or visual schedules can work wonders here, as can social stories that help illustrate what your child can expect from the event and in what order. If your kiddo still requires a schedule even without the reliability of school, consider signing them up for a winter break “mini camp,” or keeping a routine at home that involves the same eating and bedtime schedules as usual, but with a park visit or another fun activity in between.

If your child is an anxious traveler…consider doing a long drive instead of a shorter plane ride, depending on your destination, because air travel is more unpredictable and unfamiliar (and oh-so-crowded!). No matter your mode of transportation, always come prepared with tons of snacks, an extra set of clothing (especially for babies and toddlers!) and travel-friendly activities like fidgets, crayons, and action figures. Lean into the tablet sparingly if you think a familiar movie or show will help calm their nerves. Lastly, try to build breaks into your travel schedule, whether that involves regular rest stops to stretch your legs and recharge, or a walk down to different gates at the airport to get their energy out before boarding.

If your child has sensory issues with specific clothing or foods…you can’t just expect that she’ll put on her Christmas dress with no issues or voluntarily try the roast your host slaved over the stove for. Options are key here (for kids old enough to choose), so offer up a few outfit choices or meal ideas that still fit the holiday vibe you’re going for. Additionally, you can avoid a clothing meltdown by layering comfy undergarments under their dressy clothes, and bring a change of festive pajamas for when they’ve just had enough of the dressy garb. As for your picky eater? They’ll likely do best with familiar foods, so bring some from home and/or bring their favorite cup or plate to make mealtime feel more comfortable.

If your child gets nervous about giving or receiving gifts…ensure your kid will get something on their holiday wish list by sending specific links ahead of time to family and friends. And if they get nervous when having the spotlight, don’t make your child open gifts with everyone watching. My mom always made my sisters and I open up our Hanukkah presents one by one, which I hated. What if my reaction to the gift was less-than-ideal? If your child doesn’t say thank you or reacts poorly to something they received, model positive behavior by saying thanks to the gift giver on their behalf instead of forcing them to do so.

Do you have any additional holiday tips for anxious kids?

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