How to Handle Child Contact Arrangements at Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of year, but if you co-parent, it can be fraught with tension.

Deciding who will see the children and when over the holiday period can easily become a source of conflict – the one thing that is sure to put a dampener on festivities.

In this guide, our family law solicitors here at Hibberts provide tips and advice for navigating Christmas child arrangements amicably.

Remember, while Christmas may look a little different as a two-household family, it can still be just as magical.

Do I have the right to see my child at Christmas?

As a parent, of course, you want to spend Christmas with your child!

And in an ideal world, a child would spend Christmas with both their parents. However, if you’re a two-household family, this can get a little tricky.

Neither parent, who has parental responsibility, has more legal rights than the other to see their child at Christmas, and neither has priority over the other. It is in the best interests of the child to try and reach an agreement.

The law focuses on the child’s wellbeing and best interests, encouraging parents to come to an amicable decision based on what is best for their child.

Can a Child Arrangement Order UK be used to agree Christmas contact?

A Child Arrangement Order (CAO) is a type of court order used to formalise where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent after separation. Arrangements for holidays like Christmas, birthdays, and school holidays are often included in a CAO.

If you already have a Child Arrangement Order in place, check whether it includes child contact arrangements at Christmas – if it does, it’s important to stick to them.

If you don’t have a CAO and can’t agree on Christmas contact, or if communication has broken down between you and your ex-partner, give our family law solicitors a call here at Hibberts Solicitors. We can provide tailored advice on what steps to take next.

Common Christmas contact arrangements after separation

There is no single “right” way to divide Christmas after separation. The best arrangement depends on each parent’s circumstances.

What matters most is putting your child’s best interests at the heart of every decision.

Here are some of the most common ways that co-parents split Christmas.

• Split Christmas Day in half – The child spends the morning with one parent and the afternoon with the other. This option works best when parents live very nearby to each other.
• Alternate each year – The child spends Christmas Day with one parent this year and the other next year.
• Have two Christmases – The parent who doesn’t have the child on Christmas Day picks a different day to celebrate, so the child gets to enjoy the full Christmas experience with both parents.
• Spend Christmas together – If your separation was amicable and you’re on friendly terms with your ex, it may be possible to spend Christmas Day together.

Whatever you decide, it’s important to make a plan and then stick to it. Although it’s good to be flexible, sticking to the plan as much as possible provides everyone with stability.

What if you can’t reach an agreement about child arrangements at Christmas?

If it’s proving difficult to agree on Christmas contact, our family law solicitors here at Hibberts can help.

We can provide tailored legal advice on the best way forward. This may include:

• Mediation: A neutral third party helps both parents communicate effectively to reach a mutually agreeable arrangement.
• A Child Arrangements Order: A legally binding court order is used to set out where your child will spend Christmas.
• A Specific Issue Order: A court order is used to resolve a particular dispute, like whether one parent can take the child abroad for Christmas.

Tips for keeping Christmas joyful after separation

• Factor in time with grandparents and extended family where possible.
• Avoid introducing new partners over Christmas.
• Share the plan with your child so they know what to expect.
• Stay positive and avoid conflict.
• Coordinate gifts for your child with your ex.
• Put plans in writing.

Why choose Hibberts family law solicitors Nantwich?

With over 225 years of experience behind us, Hibberts Solicitors has been helping families across Nantwich, Crewe, Tarporley, and Shropshire to navigate family law issues, including child arrangements, since 1799.

Our family law solicitors provide practical, compassionate, and personalised help with family law issues, including Cheshire family mediation, helping families to avoid conflict and reach mutually agreeable outcomes.

If you need tailored support or advice, contact our team of family law solicitors by calling 01270 624 225 or emailing enquiries@hibberts.com.