Christmas Arrangements for Separated Parents

Arranging Christmas for separated parents can be complex as you navigate the best way to split Christmas in order to spend time with your children.

The usual plans of Christmases past may no longer be an option, and there’s no blueprint for what the holidays should look like now, or how you make them fair. There’s a lot to consider. How will the children spend time with each parent? Do divorced parents spend Christmas together? And if not, how do coparents split Christmas?

Before making a decision, remember that the guiding principle of family law is that children’s well-being comes first. Neither parent has more right to see their child at Christmas. The benefit of this is that you and your coparent are free to create a plan that’s centered on your children and their needs.

There are several common options for how to split Christmas with your ex. Some of these options include splitting Christmas in half, alternating celebrations yearly, and having two Christmases. However, it’s important to prioritize the children’s needs and consider each option carefully.

Handling Christmas with a blended family comes with additional challenges, such as introducing new partners and seeing the wider family. It’s crucial to prioritize the children’s needs in these situations as well.

Splitting costs and continuing to buy your children presents ‘from Mum and Dad’ can send a message that they remain central in your lives even though you’re no longer together. It’s also important to stick to the Christmas arrangements made so that everyone knows what to expect, including the children.

If you and your ex are unable to reach an agreement, you can seek advice from a family lawyer or family mediator who can help you try to find some common ground. As a last resort when cooperation is just not possible, you can seek a decision from the family court via a court order called a specific issues order with the help of a specialist family lawyer.

Dealing with Christmas after separation is difficult, but with ongoing collaboration between you and your ex-partner, a workable plan can be achieved. If you and your ex-partner are struggling to agree on how to split time with your children over Christmas, you can contact our family law team to discuss your options.