Tactile Holidays

All I want for Christmas is TEXTURE!



Texture is essential this time of year. It is a key factor in helping Tom get the full effect of the holidays. He can't see the decorations going up so I have to bring the spirit of christmas to him! (And yes, that picture is old - Tom was only 15 months.)

Christmas Ideas

• Put child friendly decorations down at child level where they can experience them. Put garland all the way around doorways so they can feel it as they trail the wall.
• Add sleigh bells to doors.
• Use holiday scents to create a festive mood. Let your child help you pick out the holiday scents.You can make you own on the stove by simmering orange peels, cinnamon sticks and cloves. You can find many simple recipes online. 

3D Gift Wrap
Christmas is the perfect time to go crazy with texture. Gift wrapping is great for sighted children but unless you incorporate texture it's a big bore for blind kids like Tommy. How can you make wrapped gifts meaningful to blind children? TEXTURE. Braille labels, scented stickers, foam stickers, ribbons, bows, tinsel, papercrafts....

Christmas gift with Braille label and texture decoration.

This is a close up of some of Tommy's gifts from last year. I made a bunch of Braille "Tommy" labels and handed them out to my parents and in-laws. I just used blank card stock gift tags from a craft store and used my Braille label maker.

I also used puffs of garland to add fun texture to Tommy's gifts. It just make it a little more special and fun for him. You could decorate with Wiki Sticks, foam stickers, smelly stickers and much more. Sure, Tom won't come running down the stairs on Christmas morning to see a bunch of brightly wrapped gifts. But by creatively using texture on his gifts I can make his presents a tactile delight!

Texture Cards
A beautiful holiday card is a blank piece of paper to Tommy if it has no texture. That's three dollars or more completely wasted. Save your money or add texture to store bought or homemade cards. How can you do that? Check out this card my friend April made for Tommy's birthday one year.

Velvety fabric

Cardboard

Suede

This card was something that Tom noticed and enjoyed. It meant something to him and isn't that the point?

Share a Holiday tip or trick in a comment!